June gloom finally got the memo with wedding season at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa already well underway!  Voted Top 10 Wedding Venue by San Diego Union Tribune, Estancia La Jolla has already been host to over 10 weddings this summer.

With the busiest months of San Diego wedding season still ahead we asked our Expert Wedding Planners for some tips on the top Wedding Trends.

Here at L'Auberge Del Mar, life is always a picnic.

So join us in Point Loma on July 18 from 12pm - 4pm at Picnic Basket!, a family-friendly afternoon that will be brimming with creative art activities, silly picnic games, live music, and delicious treats for all to enjoy!  Presented by Chef Works and Cooks Confab, the proceeds will support ARTS - A Reason to Survive, a fantastic organization which provides programs to positively impact child's lives through the arts.

Our very own Executive Chef Paul McCabe will be in attendance, whipping up some tasty bites and enjoying the sunshine.  Bring a blanket and admire a lovely Sunday picnic to support a great cause!

Seeking a little sweetness in everyday life?  Well, come on in, because Sofie L'Auberge loves to share the cheer in honor of her very first birthday!  She surprised our guests at the pool with a delightful selection of scrumptious cupcakes from a local, organic bakery, Cups La Jolla.  The celebration continues the whole month of July with L'Petit Pooches staying for only $1!  So stop by for something sweet.

Smaller portions and budget friendly menus are all the rage for restaurant goers!  And Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa has the perfect new menu to please every appetite! Bodega Wine Bar & Library has just launched a BUILD YOUR OWN SLIDE

No need to look any further, we've found paradise.  And it's at Spa L'Auberge.

Our latest and greatest body treatment, Paradise Found, features nature's purest elements to implement a groundbreaking, anti-aging therapy.  The trick to this powerful treatment?  Antioxidant-rich, tropical ingredients like papyas, mangos, and passion fruit.  Plus, they smell oh, so good (and you will too!).

Summer wouldn’t be summer without America’s favorite pastime – baseball. As I watched the Colorado Rockies come from behind to beat the St. Louis Cardinals the other night, I was reminded of the numerous times I’ve joined friends and family at the ball park over the years. There were the classic old-school stadiums like Busch Stadium and Comiskey Park that have given way to the new wave of ballparks in the major leagues like New York’s Citi Field and Yankee Stadium.

Adorable duo Sara and Zareth tied the knot at L'Auberge Del Mar, beginning with a blissful beachside ceremony at Seagrove Park and ending with a divine dinner on our Pacific Terrace. Aaron Willcox Photography was there to capture all of the sweetest moments. Feel the love and take a moment to enjoy this one here. We know we did.

And, be sure to check out this fun twist on the wedding album we spotted on the Willcox Photography blog: the proof box. We love it. And um, we kinda want one.

Summer is finally here and becoming bikini ready doesn't have to mean spending the day inside a stuffy gym.  Why not workout outside with a view of the beautiful Del Mar coastline?  Every Friday and Saturday, Synergy Del Mar is offering Zumba "Dance, Workout, Move" class on the Del Mar Plaza Deck.  Classes start at 9am and the first one is free!  You can register online at www.synergydelmar.com or call 858.692.1814.

Before you shake things up, give your body a healthy boost of energy at Kitchen 1540 with our House Made Organic Granola, seasonal fruit and low-fat yogurt.  After that demanding workout, come to Spa L'Auberge and give your tired muscles a treat with our Therapeutic Massage.  This popular treatment uses deep tissue techniques to alleviate muscle tension and discomfort.

Could there be a better way to start your summer weekends than with an oceanview workout and a lovely morning at L'Auberge?  We didn't think so...  

There is no gamble on the perfect place to stay during Del Mar's racing season, but selecting the perfect horse to place your bet on maybe a little more difficult, especially if you are new to horse racing.  The odds are in your favor when attending the daily Newcomer's Seminars at the Del Mar Race Track.

Held daily at the Plaza de Mexico an hour prior to first post, you will recieve all the information you need.  Learn racing basics, bettering strategies, money management, selections and more, and the best part?  All the valuable information and racing materials are free.  For more information on the seminar, visit the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club's website at www.dmtc.com.

If you are a guest with us at L'Auberge Del Mar, we are happy to get you the seminar in a timely manner in our complimentary shuttle.  So have your pen and racing form ready to pick that winning horse!  Happy betting!

Outstanding in the Field stopped their big red bus at Crows Pass Farm in Temecula this past Saturday, to work up a masterpiece meal with our very own Executive Chef Paul McCabe.  Traveling across the country to various unique locations, the OITF crew joined forces with Chef Paul and his exceptional team to create an eclectic meal straight from the land to the table.

David and Tina Barnes, owners of Crows Pass Farm (one of our favorite producers of farm-fresh harvest), welcomed 150 guests with open arms to share this special feast.  It began with a personally guided tour of the farm, and then guests arrived at a lengthy farm table for a mouth-watering meal produced with an "al fresco kitchen" method.  The delectable, family-style menu featured plenty of Cross Pass Farm produce and Chef's favorite (drum roll please) Nathan's spit-roasted Alpine pig.  Raised in Alpine, brined for 4 days and finally slow roasted for 9.5 hours, this succulent dish was certainly the highlight of the menu.

The guests wined, dined, and took in the fresh air while Chef and the farmers mingled and answered diners' questions.  In the wise words of Chef Paul, "It was rad."

Tickets for the event sold out within an astonishing 40 minutes!  But not to worry, if you weren't one of the lucky ones to score a seat at the farm table, Chef Paul and OITF will be back working their magic next year.  So be sure to keep an eye out for the scheduled dates.

Our friends at Crows Pass Farm, Outstanding in the Field, Chef Paul and his extraordinary team helped diners reconnect with the land and enjoy the scenery by producing a fresh meal centered on organic and sustainable resources.  We'll see you next year! 

It’s certainly no secret to San Diego residents, the La Jolla Playhouse is the nurturing center for Broadway’s future Tony Award winning performances. Now the prominent San Diego theater, located down the road from Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, has added another notch to it’s belt of success. 'Memphis', which recently won “Best Musical” at the 2010 Tony Awards, originally emerged from the La Jolla Playhouse in 2008.

Make summer travel even more fun by taking a road trip that is just as entertaining as the destination you are visiting.

Add a special touch to your wedding vows by the sea with a one-of-a-kind symbol of unity.  This unique twist on the traditional ceremony, compliments of the fabulous Karen Tran, captures the meaning of two lives becoming one in the most elegant way.  We love the way Karen used gorgeous, luminescent shells to add a luxe touch.  What a perfectly chic way to symbolize your love and commitment to one another during your vows.

Let us host your stunning oceanfront wedding to suit this sand ceremony perfectly, and keep the essence of your special day forever.

Get in touch with our Catering department via email or give us a ring at 858.793.6455.  We would love to hear from you.

Tell us here at L'Blog just how sweet your Dad is in words, with pictures or your favorite video upload and you will be eligible to win a Father's Day Brunch for a party of eight or a party of four at our award-winning KITCHEN 1540. No purchase is necessary to enter. Deadline to enter is 4 pm PST on June 18, 2010. Our two favorite blog posts will be our winners. Both winners will be notified via email by 5 pm PST on June 18, 2010. We look forward to hearing about your Dad!  Submit your entry here.

Summer has finally arrived, and what better way to start it off right than the renowned San Diego County Fair!

It's not just any typical fair; the view from the Ferris wheel overlooking the Pacific Ocean speaks for itself.  Located at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, just around the corner from L'Auberge, the fair is the largest annual event in San Diego County, raking in close to 1.2 million visitors.  It's brimming with a vast variety of fun activities, eclectic vendors, and even a summer concert series ranging from Julio Inglesias to Lonestar.  Visit www.sdfair.com for more information and a complete lineup.

The Fair kicks off today, so don't miss out on the fun...

Anticipation is growing for Del Mar's favorite day of the year: Wednesday, July 21st. That's 42 days and counting until Opening Day at Del Mar Race Track. And boy, are we excited.

Read on for all the details on the Opening Day After-Party hosted by 944 Magazine and yours truly, and get ready for one fabulous event.

During the month of June, Sunday through Friday, we're offering our 80-minute massage for $150* at Spa L'Auberge. At $35 off, that's one sweet spa deal. Try the traditional Hawaiian healing massage, Lomi Lomi, or work those sweet spots with a Therapeutic massage. No matter which you choose, you'll leave feeling relaxed, nurtured and replenished.

It's the perfect Father's Day treat for Dad...or the perfect getaway for you. Give us a ring at 858.793.6493 or reach us via email to make an appointment. We hope to see you both soon.

We are thrilled to announce that KITCHEN 1540 has been awarded California Restaurant Association's Gold Medallion award for Best Hotel Restaurant, Fine Dining.  Congratulations to Chef Paul, Chef Julie and the entire KITCHEN 1540 team!