Mom & Dad Time | SoCal Savvy Mom

Feb 18
2015

Plan a “Winter” Getaway @ SpringHill Suites

Winter (noun) The coldest season of the year, in the northern hemisphere from December to February and in the southern hemisphere from June to August.

Most San Diego locals, will in fact tell you Winter is the best time of year. The beaches, restaurants and amusement parks are uncrowded, the weather is beautiful, but shhhh don’t tell anyone I told you. My husband likes to say the true SoCal summer is October through March, because of the amazing weather we generally have that time of year.

Most of the United States is being hit hard with harsh winter storms right now. Yet another reason to visit sunny Southern California. Last week it was in the 80’s along the coast in San Diego and Los Angeles, while that is a little high for February it is still not that unheard of. My family spent the entire day at the beach on Sunday, yes at the beach in February, this is not a joke. The picture below is the best of both worlds, enjoy a dip in the pool or hot tub while looking at the beach. How many rooftop pools are there in Oceanside, just this one! The view is incredible and is the same from the fitness room located on the same floor.

Visiting Oceanside, California is the perfect destination, especially the SpringHill Suites hotel which is within walking distance to the beach. When I mention walking distance is really is only a minute walk. Above is the view from our room, and there is no additional cost for incredible sunset. SpringHill Suites is nice for a romantic getaway, we enjoyed a glass of wine on our patio during the sunset, there is nothing more romantic than a sunset with the one you love.

SpringHill Suites also has fire features throughout the property, my favorite is pictured below. We enjoyed the comfortable couches while sitting next to a warm fire, and watching the early evening clouds go by.

The rooms at SpringHill Suites are contemporary-style and let you sleep immersed in modern design. Pictures of the Pacific Ocean keep the surf theme throughout the hotel. The pictures brighten up the living room area, which also hosts a sofa out bed, perfect for children. The bathroom has a sleek modern design and all the products are eco-friendly. If you are traveling with children the mini-refrigerator and microwave will help for the snacks that kids love. Also included in the room is an array of coffee and teas. Wi-Fi is a must when traveling? My son asks everywhere we go if there is wi-fi and it is complimentary. Another item in the room that I loved was the iPod dock, just place your iPhone on the dock and listen to your favorite music.

Including in your stay at SpringHill Suites is complimentary hot buffet breakfast, eggs, waffles, sausage which were my favorites. Attached to the hotel is one of my favorite restaurants Hello Betty, we visit a couple of times a month.

I held my birthday there last summer on the roof top deck, which offers drinks, chips and salsa and delicious tacos. The roof top deck is a perfect place to stop on your way home from work for a drink, and to watch the sunset.

To plan your next vacation a SpringHill Suites in Oceanside, California visit the website here.

This is not a paid post, hotel accommodations, parking, dinner and breakfast were given in exchange for a review.

Jan 31
2015

San Diego Museum Month February 2015

by Nicole Connerley

This February is Museum Month in San Diego! San Diegans will have a chance to discover what’s new at 45 area museums with incredible savings. Macy’s Museum Month was created in 1989 and since then has grown every year. This year will have the most museums participating than ever before. It is a great way to promote awareness of our amazing museums. Perfect for field trips for children’s classes or just a day out with children.

If you wish to participate you may pick up a free Macy’s Museum Month Pass at any local Macy’s store to enjoy half-off admission to all of the participating museums through the entire month of February.

“This community program is special for us as every year—our customers and employees plan their calendars around Museum Month. We’re thrilled to officially be part of the title, marking the significance of our long-term partnership with the San Diego Museum Council,” said John Gorham.

SVP, Macy’s Regional Director of Stores – Southwest Region. “Macy’s Museum Month extends our reach in the community and we are proud to support a variety of new exhibitions and favorite museums and make them more accessible with a discounted admission.”

Museum Month passes may be picked up at any of Macy’s 15 locations in the San Diego area, including Temecula and Imperial Valley. Guests with a pass may bring up to three people to participating museums to receive half-off admission for the entire party. Additional fees may apply for special exhibitions at participating museums.

Each pass also features an exclusive $10 coupon off any purchase of $30 or more at Macy’s, which may be my favorite part!

Participating museum’s include:

Adobe Chapel
Barona Cultural Center & Museum
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Bonita Museum & Cultural Center
California Center for the Arts, Escondido Museum
California Surf Museum
Coronado Museum of History & Art
Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
Gaslamp Museum at William Heath Davis House
Heritage of the Americas Museum
Japanese Friendship Garden
Junipero Serra Museum
La Jolla Historical Society
Living Coast Discovery Center
Lux Art Institute
Maritime Museum of San Diego
Marston House Museum & Gardens
Mingei International Museum
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Downtown
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla
Museum of Making Music
Museum of Photographic Arts
Oceanside Museum of Art
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
San Diego Air & Space Museum
San Diego Archaeological Center
San Diego Automotive Museum
San Diego Botanic Garden
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
San Diego History Center
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
San Diego Natural History Museum
Santa Ysabel Store
The New Children’s Museum
The San Diego Museum of Art
Tijuana Estuary Visitors Center
Timken Museum of Art
USS Midway Museum
Veterans Museum & Memorial Center
Visions Art Museum
Warner-Carillo Ranch House & Museum
Water Conservation Garden
Whaley House Museum
Women’s Museum of California

Museum Month is generously sponsored in part by:

Jan 31
2015

Try uber for free now to Feb 16, up to $30!

by Nicole Connerley

By now you have at least heard of Uber, even if you have yet to take a ride with Uber. If you have not and are wondering what is Uber? Uber is a taxi, private car or ride share just a touch away with your mobile phone. Uber connects you with a driver in minutes. Download the FREE app in cities around the world. You can request a ride with the push of a button and track your driver’s progress to your location. Plus, they will notify you once your driver arrives so you can wait comfortably indoors.

We are teaming up with them! The best part? If you sign up using my invite link below, Uber will credit your account for $30 off your first ride: https://www.uber.com/invite/uberSoCalSavvyMom (please note this is a referral link, you will need to use it to receive $30 off your first Uber ride, regardless of where you are in the world).

With the super bowl tomorrow it may be the perfect time to try Uber. There will be a lot of DUI check points this weekend because of the big game. Please be safe and if you are going to drink do not drive, contact Uber your first ride is FREE! We love Uber because they make it so easy for you, when you are ready to go you just find a driver near you and wait a few minutes for them to arrive. You are not charged per person as with some driver services. The quotes are very reasonable, rates depend on time of day and demand.

I hope you enjoy your first ride! Let me know if you have any questions or see support.uber.com if you have any questions about how it all works. It is so simple and easy, I promise once you Uber you won’t ever go back!

Jan 21
2015

Oceanside’s Best Fish House – Hello Betty

by Nicole Connerley

Located just steps away from the Oceanside Pier, Hello Betty is perfect for locals or for those visiting the area. Hello Betty is one of my favorite restaurants, since it opened we have had my birthday there, my mother’s birthday and my best friend also had her birthday celebration there! It is one of those places you take anyone who is visiting from out-of-town, and how could you not with the view?

With daily drink specials from 4-6 it is the perfect place to stop on your way home from work, you will not find a better view on the coast. During the summer the best place cool off with a drink is the roof top deck, which hosts drinks and light appetizers. For my birthday I invited around a dozen friends to join me on the roof top deck for drinks and tacos. Because Hello Betty had just opened a few months prior no one had visited before and everyone was blown away! My friends couldn’t believe the incredible view and the exquisite tacos put it right over the top for a great birthday. The hardest decision will be which taco to choose, with Mahi Mahi, Shrimp, Carne Asada, Veggie or a huge list of different types of fish tacos you will want to try them all.

Hello Betty’s menu is not limited to just fish, the Spicy Grilled Chicken Sandwich (garlic mayo, chopped lettuce, tomato, avocado, pickled jalapeño, jack cheese all on a brioche bun) is the best in all of North San Diego County! Last week I tried the Herb marinated Chicken Breast which is mesquite grilled and is accompanied by roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables. The dish was so heavenly from beginning to end, I may have found a new favorite on the menu. My mother in law was visiting from Florida and she LOVED the Steamed Mussels with chorizo, tomato, chilis, garlic and dos equis amber she said they were the best mussels she had ever had.

The decor in Hello Betty is spot on, with the surf theme touches throughout the restaurant. The picture below is the hallway leading to the restrooms made out of surfboards. You may even watch surfing movies while at the restaurant as it is usually playing on the many TV’s located in the bar area. If there is a big game on they will of course put a game on for you if you would prefer. A huge BONUS for dining with children is the little mini arcade located on the first level of the restaurant. It is perfect as you can see your children playing video games (think old school ones) from your table. The kids are close enough to see but not so close you have to listen to the sound of video games. All of the games are only a quarter or two, not like some sports bars that charge upwards of $1 for one turn on a video game, this is a highlight if you are dining with children.

When you visit Hello Betty be sure to sign up for their loyalty card, I just saw this last time I was there and couldn’t believe I didn’t know about it sooner. Reservations are not required it is walk in’s only, even if there is a small wait you will not be bothered by it as you sit outside on the patio with a drink while waiting for a table. Did I mention the view? For more information or for the full menu click here. Let us know after you visit and tell us what you think, but really what is better than a fish taco and a margarita…nothing, visit Hello Betty today and thank me tomorrow!

This is not a paid post, products and services were exchanged for a review.

Jan 16
2015

San Diego Restaurant Week January 2015

by Nicole Connerley

My favorite time of year is finally here, San Diego Restaurant Week! It is the perfect excuse to try out some restaurants you have been dying to go to but at very reasonable price. In Encinitas you can step into Union Kitchen & Tap and enjoy a three course meal for only $30, at Blue Ribbon Pizza enjoy a three course meal for only $20 (get the butterscotch pudding it is incredible). In Del Mar the always exquisite Pamplemousse Grille is offering a three course meal for $50, the first course you don’t want to miss is the lobster ravioli, it is my favorite!

Experience cuisine that delights your palate and defines the art of dining in San Diego. Held twice annually, this beloved culinary tradition features discounted prix fixe menus from more than 180 of San Diego’s best restaurants in 12 unique regions throughout San Diego County. No tickets or passes are required. Food lovers may simply dine out at as many participating restaurants as they like during San Diego Restaurant Week.

Press Release: San Diego Restaurant Week in it’s 11th year of culinary excellence by offering an entire week of delicious discounted dining at some of San Diego County’s finest restaurants! For ONE WEEK ONLY, Sunday, January 18th through Saturday, January 24th, foodies will be able to eat their hearts out at over 200 participating restaurants that will offer three-course prix-fixe dinner menus for just $20, $30, $40 or $50 per person and/or two-course prix-fixe lunch menus for only $10, $15 or $20 per person. Yes, you read that correctly! Saturday is now included with San Diego Restaurant Week giving you more variety in your dining options! San Diego’s tastiest countywide affair gives epicures the chance to explore scrumptious eats from the beaches to Downtown and from North County to South Bay. Leave the cooking utensils and dirty dishes at home and join over 150,000 diners as we celebrate San Diego County’s thriving and unique culinary scene. Tickets and passes aren’t necessary for this week of discounted dining; show up at any participating location or call ahead to make a reservation to ensure your chance to indulge with these deep discounts. Visit San Diego Restaurant Week on the web for more information and a complete list of restaurants or to make reservations in advance! For all of the foodie details on the go, download the San Diego Restaurant Week mobile app for Android or iPhone!

Jan 10
2015

Carlsbad Health & Lifestyle Expo

by Nicole Connerley

The Carlsbad Marathon kicks off with the Health & Lifestyle Expo on Friday, January 16th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The expo has a lot of vendors to help you start the new year with a new healthy you. With many exciting vendors, interactive displays, samples, and great bargains on apparel, equipment and more, the expo is an exciting event you won’t want to miss.

If you are participating in the Carlsbad Marathon this is where you will pick up your bib number and race shirt and shop. All marathoners and half marathoners must attend the expo on either Friday or Saturday to claim their timing tag in addition to their bib number and race shirt. If you are unable to pick up your bib number and timing tag before race day, you must select the Race Day Pickup option and pay an additional $20 convenience fee when registering. If you’ve already registered and want to add the convenience fee, you may do so by calling 760-692-2900.

The expo is held in a huge 20,000-square-foot “big top” in the southwest corner of the Westfield Carlsbad shopping center. Located just steps from the marathon and half marathon start/finish lines, this is the perfect venue for the large expo. This shopping experience is FREE and open to all, so bring your family and friends. The expo is held on Saturday January 17th after the Kids Marathon at Legoland, on Saturday it will be from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.