A Southern California Grand Escape

On a very warm Sacramento morning, I boarded a Southwest Airlines flight to San Diego. After a short one hour and 15 minute flight, (with no cost to bring my golf clubs unlike many airlines), off I went to explore a three day escape at The Grand Del Mar located in Coastal North San Diego County.

As you drive up the rolling hills of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, this stunning natural backdrop sets a dramatic stage for The Grand Del Mar. This new luxury resort sits on a 4,100 acre expanse of land stretching for seven miles just east of the San Diego coastline. Located 20 miles north of downtown San Diego, this decadent resort features 249 elegantly appointed guestrooms and suites, San Diego’s only Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course, two outdoor lighted tennis courts, a 21,000-squarefoot Renaissance-inspired spa, four swimming pools, regional dining, including Addison, the signature fine dining restaurant, an enclave of residential Villas, and more than 20,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting space.

Walking into the lobby you immediately see and feel the spirit of Mediterranean-style architecture and design. The Grand Del Mar evokes a majestic motif – with a truly elegant, romantic and relaxed ambiance inspired by the pioneering architecture of the 1920’s visionary, Addison Mizner. Featuring an exotic mix of Spanish, Portuguese, Moroccan and Venetian design elements, the resort pays homage to the distinctive style of Mizner, an architectural icon whose time-honored design approach once defined the well-heeled Florida resort communities of Boca Raton and Palm Beach. Chief design architect Robert Altevers, principal of San Diego based Altervers Associates, has masterfully combined the romance, whimsy and opulence of Mizner’s pioneering designs with Southern California’s easy, sunsplashed attitude, exuding a relaxed, timeless elegance.

A sophisticated yet fanciful approach is apparent throughout this lavishly appointed resort – replete with rich colorful hues, graceful arched doorways, classic rotundas, vibrant tiles, rustic wood-beamed ceilings, twisted columns and other ornate stone details as well as striking wrought iron accents. The rooms are large and meant for moving gracefully from one space to another – and from inside to out. Gracious balconies and patios overlook leafy courtyards and The Grand Golf Club. More than a dozen water features, including a breathtaking 75-foot long, 22-nozzle fountain –flanked by towering Italian cypress trees and lined with gold, royal blue and white marble tiles extends from the lobby towards the golf course.

The Grand Golf Club

The Grand Golf Club originally opened in 1999 as part of the Meadows Del Mar, a private residential community of 134 home sites. In 2003, Manchester Grand Resorts purchased the land – including the golf course, clubhouse and parcel zoned for hotel development. The course was renamed The Grand Golf Club, and the extensively renovated and expanded clubhouse was opened in September 2006.

With spectacular fairways that wind throughout the scenic valleys of the beautiful Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, the private rolling greens of The Grand Golf Club are the centerpiece of The Grand Del Mar luxury resort. This championship- quality course deftly captures the essence of Southern California’s coastal environs with its varying elevation, diversity of its bunkering, and impeccable manicured fairways and greens.

Melding extreme playability with stunning natural beauty, the 18-hole par-72 course features 7,160 yards spread over a lush 380 acres. Lending his legendary artistic ability to blend the challenge of championship golf with the inherent aesthetics of a given region, Tom Fazio designed this 18-hole marvel with a variety of tee locations spanning 5,230 to 7,160 yards in length. Year-round play and multiple tee boxes accommodating all levels of play highlight this challenging and unforgettable experience.

Addison

The Grand Del Mar’s signature restaurant, Addison, features opulent creations by acclaimed Chef William Bradley. We were treated to Chef’s four course extravaganza of flavors.

The meal began with an Avocado Purée with lime mousse and crispy capers, which cleansed and prepared our palates, as a great ‘amuse bouche’ should. Our first course was a dish of amazing Baby Sea Scallops served with tomato confit, golden caviar and finished with a champagne emulsion. This was paired with a Hanzel 2006 Chardonnay from Sonoma County. The combination of flavors in this dish was more than decadent. This was followed by a ‘Risotto A’ L’Encré, a rich and creamy risotto featuring lemon sorrel, saffron and chorizo. This luscious dish was perfectly paired with a 2006 Domaine Maume, Pinot Noir, Gevrey-Chambertin, France. The ‘Veal Tenderloin Grillé main was accompanied by a jus de cépes, smoked potato purée and superbly paired with a bold 2001 Le Macchiole, Super Tuscan from Tuscany, Italy. Once again, the fresh ingredients were cooked to perfection, and the delicious fusion of flavors was amazing to the palate. We finished our feast with a ‘Mille-Feuille Classique’-a sumptuous candied caramel and crème fraiche delight paired with a wonderful Yalamba, Museum Muscat from Rutherglen Australia.

All in all, this decadent dinner was an outstanding presentation of Chef Bradley’s artisanal approach to cooking, by combining local ingredients with contemporary French influences. The seasonal, four-course menu offers an inspired evening of culinary expertise.

The restaurant itself is indicative of elegant European ambiance, and features an elegantly appointed bar with a richly-upholstered backdrop and a commanding wood bar and terrace seating. Continuing to the dining area, magnificent arched windows offer beautiful views of the resort’s golf course and the wine room, strategically located in the center of the main dining room, punctuates the importance of Addison's world-class wine tasting environment, replete with ideal glassware, perfect storage of wines and knowledgeable service.

From famous, California top vintage cult wines to newly-discovered selections from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America to the most distinctive fine wines from France, Italy and Spain, Wine Director Jesse Rodriquez's goal is to offer a superb wine experience for every individual palate and drinking expectation.

The Spa at The Grand Del Mar

Embracing the creative and rejuvenating spirit of the Renaissance, The Spa at The Grand Del Mar symbolize s that bygone era with its emphasis on renewal and rebirth. The spa also gleams resources from the nearby Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, a natural wonderland replete with an abundance of flora and fauna.

Created to deliver a sublime experience of relaxed, renewed and restorative wellness, the spa’s comprehensive programs and a’ la carte services are designed to reconnect guests with enriching elements of the earth: warm mineral muds and clays, native herbs, soothing stones and calming botanicals.

Services offered encompass a full slate of natural therapies, including cleansing facials and invigorating hydrotherapy body treatments, plus fitness consultation and classes ranging from yoga to weight training, and nature walks and hikes in the adjacent Preserve.

I was treated to a Core Elements Body Wrap. Ideal for athletes and anyone with lower back soreness, this unique service balances and strengthens the body’s core. A relaxing lower back, hips and abdominal massage precedes a nutrient-rich mud wrap along the same target areas. The extended 90 minute treatment also includes the neck, shoulders and upper back areas. This was a much-needed, soothing experience after two days of golf.

Close enough to the Pacific to capture ocean breezes, the spectacular setting at The Grand Del Mar is washed in the quintessential Southern California glow. From the time you get here, till the time you leave, everyone makes you feel like royalty.

Come play the private rolling greens, learn one-on-one from a golf professional, try the latest clubs, dine in European ambiance or simply relax at the handsome Clubhouse, pool or spa. This truly is a golfer’s haven, The Grand Del Mar, the premier golf resort in San Diego.

For more information visit www.thegranddelmar.com or call 858-314-2000