California Pizza

We survived the night, sirens and snoring, and got up to begin our journey out west. The kids were both excited, Jacob concentrating on the shuttle ride over and around the airport and Jess talking the ear off of a stewardess. It was snowing (good call on traveling early Jenn), and we were a bit nervous. But the pilots on the shuttle were all saying "no problem" so we stopped worrying. The E terminal is also for international flights, and was deserted at this time of day. Jenn got her D&D fix (perhaps her last for the week) and we got lunch at the Burrito Elito (Durgin Park wasn't open yet) with an enchilada bowl with guacamole and ring of fire chili hot sauce.

I celebrated the start of vacation with Golden Oreos and cheese Ritz crackers for snacks (yum, I can't wait for dinner at Pizza Port!). The kids enjoyed the window seat as we flew into San Diego. We were upgraded to a fully loaded mini-van (the ultimate for a family guy?), and made it to our hotel without incident. A two room suite, with a kitchen and 2 TVs, we were well situated for our week stay. But we were hungry, and needed some supplies, so we headed out to find Pizza Port at Solana Beach (http://www.pizzaport.com/slides/solana-beach760720-7007/solana-beach/).

Pizza Port has been a local favorite for years, and spun off Port brewing and Lost Abbey for the beer world.  Previously listed on Beer Advocate top 50 bars, this was a destination close to the hotel that I was looking forward to taking the family. We got there and the place was packed, but Jess scored some stools outside (yes, we were eating outside in February), and we went and ordered our pizza. We got the Pizza Lahaina, a Hawaiian style pizza that reminded us of the old Foodies in NH, and it was delicious. The beer was great too, offering about a dozen choices of their own brews that you could sample in 4oz pours. My favorite was the Dawn Patrol Dark English Mild served on Nitro which had been brewed with local coffee.

Pizza Port was perfect to start our trip, but we needed supplies for the hotel (you know, water, snacks and beer). I got a couple local beers in 22oz beers for some evening sipping. One was Left Coast which offered a black IPA called the Wedge (surfing term?) and an African stout called Voodoo. The other was Coronado and their Mermaid's Red Amber ale, Stupid Stout, and Islander IPA. We were all tired, being on East Coast time still, and we were thankful to be here in San Diego safe and sound. I can't wait for the upcoming week. – 6311/13529

“If you saw it in a commercial we don’t have it.  Welcome to a Brewpub.” – Sign at Pizza Port