To: Peach who wrote (48291 ) 10/22/2003 11:08:05 PM From: X Y Zebra Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 57110 have always wanted to see San Diego and Coronado Island. Hotel del C. is nice... But if you are looking for quiet relaxation away from crowds... Try this.... (Same general area)theinnatrsf.com [Then click enter] Its history...theinnatrsf.com And a nearby restaurant....millefleurs.com Really good.... However, if you are more into more "modern times" not to mention its SPA....spas-west.com Then again, if you are more interested in a slightly more exotic location [without going to Thailand, that is...]hoteloasis.com And if you really want to take it to the next level (a trip to Laguna San Ignacio (must be in late February or early March)... touch the baby whales...kuyima.com I went there before the cabins... they used tents... the wind came up ALWAYS at 4.00 AM and it was strong enough to wake you up every day... By 7:00 AM you would wake up and start getting ready... first, they handed you a bag of water (about 5 liters if I remember well)... you laid it down by the beach, (so the sun would heat up the water), later you would hang it from a tree branch (behind a privacy screen)... and Voilá your hot shower in the desert. Being the end of winter, it was still cold...that's why the sun-heated system -gg. We would go for breakfast at the dining palapa... excellent food at all times... by 9:00 AM it was time to board the whale-watching boats an on we went to the lagoon for 4 or 5 hours.... We would come back ready for our "hot shower" and more great food... The excursion last 5 days or so.... there are some other sights & sounds... salt fields, cave painting, and so on... The fact that I got to fly the twin engine plane from Ensenada and back helped my experience and added to the fun of it... on its own right... watching, touching, listening to the whales is a superb experience... watching the mothers pushed their calves towards the boats is simply awesome.... I filmed two whales mating (who use a third wale as support)... the splashing was a sight to behold.... I had no idea what I was filming until the guide --who was observing me filming very intently-- told me what was going on... Then again.... you might just be interested in.....blacksbeach.org and their official web-presence...blacksbeach.org -g __________ edit: i forgot... the water in the Sea of Cortéz (Gulf of California) in the shallow points and undisturbed, is cristal clear and warm, as if you were in your bath tub)... beautiful.