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La Jolla Holiday Meals and Deals

December 16, 2013 | By | 1 Reply More
Christmas in La Jolla is a lot like Christmas in the rest of the country...except warmer.

Christmas in La Jolla is a lot like Christmas in the rest of the country…except warmer.

I love La Jolla at this time of the year. We may not have snow, but there’s no shortage of Christmas decorations and holiday cheer.

Because I grew up in the Midwest, it took me a while to get used to warm winter holidays, but now I wouldn’t trade a Christmas morning walk on La Jolla Shores Beach for all the sleigh rides in the world.  By the way, the La Jolla forecast for this December 25 is “sunny and 68 degrees.”

If you’ll be with us over the holidays – and I hope you will – here are some of your yummy meal and fun activity options:

The lovely La Valencia dates from 1926.

The lovely La Valencia dates from 1926.

La Valencia Hotel

This La Jolla landmark, which is beautiful year round, really gets decked out for the holidays. No matter how busy I am, I always make time to walk through the lobby and admire their decorations. When you do this, be sure to go out on the terrace and look down at the magical display around the pool.

  • Christmas Eve at THE MED: Gather with friends and family and indulge in four delightful courses garnished with ocean views, holiday acoustics and sweet treats. Enjoy lobster bisque and smoked prime rib, or opt for a more traditional dinner of roasted goose. $75 per adult, $35 per child (12 years and under). View Christmas Menu here  For holiday dining reservations: themed@lavalencia.com or 858-551-3765.
  • Christmas Day at THE MED: same menu as Christmas Eve served from noon until 8pm.
  • New Year’s Eve: Ring in the New Year in La Jolla with a special dining experience followed by a countdown celebration in La Sala Lounge. Live music performances will include The Chris Cerna Trio in La Sala and the dueling guitars of Paper Moon on THE MED Patio. Dinner seatings from 6pm – 8pm or 8pm – 10pm. $75 four courses, early seating; $95 five courses, late seating. View NYE Menu $75;  View NYE Menu  $95.
  • New Year’s Day Brunch: Kick off the New Year at the award winning New Year’s Day Brunch featuring recovery cocktails and resolution specials. 10am to 3pm. $45 per adult, $20 per child (12 years and under).
La V is a gracious Spanish Colonial hotel in the heart of "the village."

La V is a gracious Spanish Colonial hotel in the heart of “the village.”

A Room at the Inn

In addition to delicious meals, La Valencia is also offering a great deal on accommodations: The “Twinkle, Twinkle at La V Holiday Package” includes 20% off the best available rate, a $50 dining credit, 2 cocktail vouchers, a complimentary bottle of California wine, and daily complimentary valet parking. Visit the La V website to make a reservation.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines is an outstanding example of California Craftsman architecture.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines is an outstanding example of California Craftsman architecture.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines

The Craftsman style Lodge at Torrey Pines is easily La Jolla’s coziest lodging – and decked out for the holidays, it almost resembles a Currier and Ives painting.

***Leading up to Christmas, the popular Kaleidoscope Carolers  will perform at The Lodge December 19, 20, 21, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Holiday meals will be served in A. R.Valentien, the hotel’s signature restaurant, and in the more casual Grill. Reservations: 858-777-6635 (A.R.Valentien) and 858-777-6647 (The Grill).

  • A.R. Valentien on Christmas Eve is serving~Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (a la carte). Dinner:  5:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. (prefix dinner menu – 3 courses – $85pp).
  • A.R. Valentien on Christmas Day is serving~Breakfast:  7:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (regular breakfast). Brunch (hotel guests only): 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (prefix dinner with brunch items – 3 Courses – $85pp). Dinner (hotel guests only):  4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (prefix dinner menu – 3 Courses – $85pp).
  • A.R. Valentien on New Year’s Eve is serving~Lunch: 11:30 – 2:30 p.m. (regular lunch menu). Dinner (hotel guests only): 5:30 – 10:00 p.m. (prefix dinner menu – 5 courses – $100 pp w/wine $145 or 3 Courses – $85 pp)
  • A.R. Valentien on New Year’s Day is serving~Breakfast: 7:00 – 11:30 a.m. (regular breakfast). Lunch: 12:00 – 2:30 p.m. (regular lunch). Dinner: 5:30 – 10:00 p.m. (regular dinner).
A. R. Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines is well known for outstanding farm-to-table food.

A. R. Valentien at The Lodge at Torrey Pines is well known for outstanding farm-to-table food.

  • Grill on Christmas Eve is serving~Breakfast:  6:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (regular breakfast menu). Lunch:  11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (a la carte lunch & brunch specials). Dinner:  5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (a la carte dinner & prefix menu – 3 courses-$50pp).
  • Grill on Christmas Day is serving~Breakfast:  6:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (regular breakfast menu). Lunch:  11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (a la carte lunch & brunch specials). Dinner:  5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. (a la carte dinner & prefix menu – 3 courses-$50pp)
  • Grill on New Year’s Eve is serving~Breakfast: 6am – 11am (regular breakfast menu). Lunch: 11am – 5pm (a la carte lunch & brunch specials). Dinner: 5pm – 10pm (a la carte dinner menu & prefix menu – 3 courses-$50pp).
  • Grill on New Year’s Day is serving~Breakfast: 6am – 11am (regular breakfast menu). Lunch: 11am – 5pm (a la carte lunch & brunch specials). Dinner: 5pm – 10pm (a la carte dinner menu & prefix menu – 3 courses-$50pp)
The stately Grande Colonial La Jolla Hotel just celebrated its 100th birthday.

The stately Grande Colonial La Jolla Hotel just celebrated its 100th birthday.

Grand Colonial Hotel

I love the historic ambience of this heritage La Jolla property. The Grande Colonial celebrated its 100th birthday in 2013 – and is looking wonderful.

On Christmas Eve, dinner will be served from the regular menu in Nine-Ten, the hotels award-winning restaurant from 5:30-9:30 p.m.  The restaurant will be open Christmas morning for breakfast, but closed the rest of the day.

On New Year’s Eve, Executive Chef Jason Knibb and Pastry Chef Rachel King will offer a special four-course meal from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. $80 per person, $110 with wine pairings. Reservations required: 858-964-5400, nine-ten.com

From Cusp on the 11th floor, diners enjoy a panoramic ocean view.

From Cusp on the 11th floor, diners enjoy a panoramic ocean view.

Hotel La Jolla

The only highrise hotel in La Jolla affords diners an ocean view from its 11th floor Cusp Restaurant.

For Christmas Eve/Christmas Day,  Cusp will be offering a $45, three course prix-fixe menu. Christmas Eve hours 5:00pm-9:00pm, Christmas Day Hours 3:00pm-8:00. There will be a $20 menu for kids 10 and under.

For NYE, Chef Donald will be offering a 4-course prix-fixe menu for $75 in Cusp with live music and a champagne toast in the Starling Ballroom (adjacent).

Cheers everyone!

Elizabeth Hansen

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Category: Deals and free activities, Hotels, Restaurants

About the Author ()

I live in La Jolla and I'm a travel writer, so in addition to enjoying my home town's great weather, beautiful surroundings, and range of cultural and recreational options, I also see La Jolla - and the rest of San Diego - as a travel destination. And what I see sometimes drives me batty. People vacation in La Jolla, but don't take advantage of everything our community offers, so I decided to start this blog and provide insider advice for out-of-towners. Hey. I figure if I can write insider tips about exotic destinations on Authentic Luxury Travel, I ought to be able to lead readers off the beaten path that starts just outside my front door. In the process, I'm having fun revisiting my favorite places and discovering some new ones. Travel writers are naturally snoopy, and this blog is my excuse to have a good ol' sticky beak around my home town. I hope you find it helpful. If you are coming to La Jolla or another area of San Diego and would like my help in planning your trip, please read "Need Help Planning Your Trip" and then email me at ehansen298@aol.com. Elizabeth Hansen

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  1. mejores cochecito de bebe del 2015 says:

    Great post.

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