Oysters, yoga, beaches and tennis represent a fine, California-style kick-start to summer.
Do: Coronado Island just off downtown is home to one of the country's most famous beaches and the historic Hotel del Coronado, featured in the 1958 film Some Like it Hot with Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon. On the vast swath of white sand, rent a Cabinette with a pair of luxury lounge chairs for the day ($71) and watch the waves roll in. Later, grab a retro cocktail (if you can score a seat) on the hotel's plein-air "Sun Deck," or a wood-fired pizza at its Eno Wine Bar. Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 800-468-3533, hoteldel.com
Eat: India Street has a fun nighttime vibe with many restaurants spilling out into the street. We loved the open-air storefront with five steel flip doors and industrial-chic vibe of Ironside Fish & Oyster, in a 1920s-era warehouse. Helmed by B.C.-born, British-trained chef Jason McLeod, the goal was to bring oyster culture to the famed seaport. The "simple fish" (Yellowtail, Corvina or Opah) with sauce vierge was perfection on a plank. Ironside Fish & Oyster, 1654 India St., San Diego, 619-269-3303, ironsidefishandoyster.com
Stay: A 30-minute drive inland gets you to the exclusive Rancho Valencia, famous for its beautiful grounds, tennis program and serene floating yoga pavilion. The huge Casitas have their own luggage room (brilliant), a complimentary mini-bar with health-conscious snacks and daily fresh orange juice delivered to the door. People travel far and wide for the challenging yoga and Pilates classes (with a green juice shot at the end) and, after an excellent lesson from a tennis pro, our backspin has never been better. Topped off with the healthy and delicious menu at The Pony Room, we'd recommend it for a long weekend of healthy battery recharging in the sun. Rancho Valencia, 5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe, 858-756-1123, www.ranchovalencia.com
--Sarah Bancroft
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