Marion's Childcare & Playtime Pros

To the concierge at the US Grant Hotel:

I wanted to let you know that my daughters and I enjoyed our stay at the US Grant immensely. The hotel is beautiful and the staff was outstanding. Most of all, we appreciated your referral to Marion’s Childcare. I was traveling on business and needed a sitter for my two daughters during the day. Amy Gray was very responsive and wonderful to work with. Unfortunately, I booked the wrong dates with her and did not discover my error until the morning of my first meeting. When I contacted Amy, she was unfazed, and quickly located a wonderful sitter for my daughters.

Truly, she went above and beyond the call of duty and turned a potential disaster into “no problem at all.” My daughters had a wonderful time in San Diego. Miss Linda had them out of the hotel every day exploring the city and going swimming. She also brought fun crafts and activities for them to do at the hotel. It all turned our perfectly: I got my work done knowing that my daughters were being well cared for and they had a fun vacation in a wonderful city. Thank you!!!

Sincerely,

Susan Duff

‎”Joshua had a great time. Jennifer, our caregiver from Marion’s Childcare, was courteous, professional, and a great help to me while I was in conferences all day. She and Joshua took in all sorts of fun activities including the zoo, the Children’s Museum, Belmont Park and the USS Midway museum. Joshua can’t wait to visit San Diego again, and we will definitely be return customers with Marion’s Childcare.” – Jennifer, Canada

You will find luxury in the heart of San Diego at the US Grant Hotel.  Situated in the beautiful Gaslamp Quarter, this hotel offers an elegant experience in a unique downtown setting. In operation since October 15, 1910, this hotel has been host  to such presidents as John F. Kennedy and George W. Bush.  With its extravagantly decked out lobby and nine foot ceilings in each suite, it’s definitely a hotel fit for royalty. The US Grant was named one of the top 128 hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveler;  it was the winner of ‘Best Luxury Guestroom Design’ at HotelWorld’s  International Design Competition.   Treat your family to the finer things in life while enjoying the hotels very own “Celebration Fine Art” museum, voted best gallery in San Diego.

There is certainly plenty for your family to do in the hotel’s surrounding areas. Experience San Diego for its renowned waterfronts with a visit to the charming and historical Seaport Village. You’ll be able to shop for souvenirs in over 50 one of a kind shops, or enjoy one of many seaside delicacies. There is plenty of musical entertainment in and around the village, with sidewalk performers sprinkled throughout four miles of quaint cobblestone walkways. It is located directly on the waterfront and is the perfect place to enjoy a day with your family.

For more San Diego fun right near the US Grant, you could take your family out to the ballgame at the famous Padres Petco Ballpark. Or, maybe spend the day catching a movie and going shopping at Westfields Horton Plaza, an exciting and visually stunning outdoor mall. For more nautical families, the San Diego Harbor Excursion is just minutes away and can take you on one of many adventures. You can go whale watching, or take a 15 minute ferry ride across the bay to the beautiful Coronado Island. Just in time for the holidays, there will be an annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights in December on the 12^th and 19^th.  Contact their website for more information on reserving your spot on a dinner cruise during the festivities.

Another world famous San Diego attraction is right at your doorstep while at the US Grant. The San Diego Zoo is located in nearby Balboa Park. The park is also home to many museums of interest and lush botanical gardens. Some of the museums include the Automotive museum, the Air and Space museum, the Model Railroad museum, or the San Diego History museum. Many of the museums offer free admission for kids 12 and under with a paid adult admission. There are also packages offered for kids admissions to the zoo and the museums.

It’s starting to get cooler outside, and you might need a place to get all warm and cozy.   The Lodge at Torrey Pines has everything you’re looking for to enjoy a brisk fall day. The Lodge itself is surrounded by a forest of rare pine trees, giving the feeling of mountainous seclusion in a luxurious setting. It is a gorgeous wood-trimmed building sitting on the 18^th green of the famous Torrey Pines golf course.  The Lodge offers plenty to do for every member of the family.  You can, of course, spend the day golfing, or maybe play a game of croquet. There is a year-round fenced and heated swimming pool that has a spectacular view of the scenery. There is also a tennis court and a library offering board games, puzzles, cards, and even has a customized billiards table.  Or, maybe the family just wants to relax after a long day in a cozy lounge with a giant fireplace.

There is more than plenty to do in the surrounding areas  for those who want to explore the beauty of  La Jolla. The nearby Torrey Pines State Reserve offers daily guided hikes and is the perfect way to get the most out of your visit to La Jolla. It is a 2,000 acre protected reserve with 8 miles of trails. All 2,000 acres remain as they were before San Diego was developed. The State Reserve offers a rare unspoiled view of California’s natural splendor. La Jolla Cove is also very close to the Lodge, and offers beginner scuba diving lessons. Kayaking adventures are also available through La Jolla Kayak. Enjoy the oceans view firsthand as tour guides help you paddle out into the waves.

The Birch Aquarium is also located close to the Lodge and is a great place to take the kids. There is a 70,000 gallon kelp forest aquarium to stand and gaze into as well as a 13,000 gallon shark reef.  You can also thrill your children by taking them to Legoland California for the day, located just a short drive up the freeway from the Lodge. Legoland has a water park and their very own Sea Life aquarium. The bright colors and intricate design of the parks attractions will amuse you and delight your children.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines is the ideal retreat for any family. You surely won’t be disappointed with the awe inspiring location of the Lodge. Nestled away in a blanket of pine trees, your family will enjoy a comfortable easy going atmosphere with all the amenities of a luxury hotel.

Getting the most out of San Diego is a breeze at the Paradise Point hotel.  From amusement park rides to whale watching, Paradise Point is at the heart of it all. The hotel is located on a private 44 acre island on Mission Bay and has rooms decked out in beach bungalow style.  The island itself boasts one mile of sheltered coastline.  Without leaving the island at all, you’ll find plenty of family friendly activities. The hotel  offers bicycle rentals, beach equipment rentals and free ping pong and croquet. If the adults need some time alone, the hotel has a Kids Camp. The camp activities include tennis, basketball, arts and crafts and more! Kids can go for half a day in the morning or afternoon or for the entire day. They also offer a ‘Parents Night Out’ where the hotel entertains your children from 5pm-9pm and it even includes  dinner for the kids.

The Paradise Point hotel is at a prime location to experience San Diego in its entirety.  It is only four minutes away from Sea World, one of San Diego’s most famed attractions. SeaWorld has a fireworks show nightly and what could be more fun than watching Shamu the killer whale leap out of the water and splash the front rows of the audience?

Another advantage of staying at the Paradise Point hotel is that its only a few miles from the quaintly carnival like atmosphere of Belmont Park. Located on Mission Beach,  this boardwalk type experience has an old style wooden roller coaster that has become a San Diego landmark. The charming carousel offers a less intimidating ride for the youngsters, or you can try your luck at one of the games.  There is plenty of good food in Belmont Park and it is also a great place to go shopping for San Diego souvenirs. After a fun filled day, you can relax and watch the sunset right there on the beach!

If your interest lies in San Diego’s history, you can visit the Cabrillo National Monument, which honors Juan Cabrillo’s landing in 1542. Located high on a hillside, the monument is a popular place to go whale watching.

Cabrillo’s monument overlooks Old Town, another place rich in San Diego history. The Paradise Point hotel offers a fully narrated Old Town Trolley Tour.  The tour also includes a visit to the beautiful Coronado Island.  Old Town itself is a living museum of early homes, a church, a cemetery, and much more. There are plenty of authentic cuisine restaurants in the area and a mecca of fun and exciting retail shops.

The Paradise Point Hotel is the perfect destination to enjoy the beautiful lifestyle of San Diego. You can learn a lot about the history of the city or just revel in the jubilant nature of activities surrounding  the hotel. One stay at the Paradise Point hotel gives any family the perfect opportunity to fulfill any hopes they had about their visit to San Diego. You won’t feel like you’ve missed out on any aspect of the city while staying at such a perfectly central locale like the Paradise Point hotel.   – Heather de Castro

Looking for a place to stay over the holidays where you can totally immerse yourself in the seasonal experience?  Look no further than the beautiful and historic Hotel del Coronado!  They really get into the spirit of things over there for their guests. For Halloween, they offer a ghoulishly themed Kidtopia event for little ones ages 4-12. While in Kidtopia (the Del’s children’s year-round children’s program), your kids will be able to play on a fun climbing unit, participate in craft making, or play with the high tech entertainment station. While the kids enjoy their Halloween-themed camp experience, the Del offers a grown up trick-or-treating party for the adults. If you are traveling with a teenager, they offer Vibz, a teen lounge for young adults ages 13-17.  Vibz is absolutely free for overnight guests and includes a wide array of teen-friendly activities such as darts, billiards, video games, and the opportunity to meet other visitors their own age.

If you are planning on visiting during the Thanksgiving or Christmas seasons, you will feel right at home with the cozy and warm atmosphere the Hotel del Coronado provides.  There is a flurry of seasonal delight to be enjoyed from November 24 – December 17.  A Thanksgiving meal complete with all the trimmings is scheduled for November 25, and the same is offered for Christmas Eve and Christmas. There is something for every member of the family.  A beautiful seaside ice skating rink will be opened on the Windsor Lawn, and ice skating lessons will be offered. A portion of the skating proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The hotel’s theme this year is

“The Sweetest Season” and the resort will be decked out from head to toe in sugar plums, peppermint swirls, sugar lollipops and plenty of other Christmas goodies. The kids can enjoy holiday favorites like cookie decorating, or a sleigh ride through the beautifully decorated Coronado Island. The hotel boast 100,000 glimmering lights strewn over the facility.  There is “An American Christmas” play for the adults to attend while the younger family members visit the Teen Spa and Salon. The salon offers

clarifying facials, sun kissed tans, or a sampler of the services.  As an additional holiday treat, the Hotel Del Coronado offers an exclusive Elf Tuck-In.  A lively dressed elf will visit your child at bedtime to tuck them in all snug and warm! How delightful!

Even if holiday themes aren’t your thing, the Hotel del Coronado has year-round activities sure to please any family member. You can rent bikes to take your family on an adventurous 15-mile bike trail, you can rent paddleboats, jet skis, kayaks and more.  And, of course, Kidtopia is always ready to entertain your children with fun and excitement.  Visit the website to see the full schedule of activities available in Kidtopia. The Hotel del Coronado looks to be a sure thing when it comes to having a fun vacation, a worry-free business trip, or just a place to make amazing memories.

- Heather de Castro

If  you are in town for business or any other reason you can’t take the kids along, the hotel has a teacher supervised kids camp, which is offered in half day or full day lengths. The activities are age appropriate and do include lunch. For your older children, there is a very cool teen lounge, which was designed by Pottery Barns PBteens. It features Guitar Hero World Tour, comfy loungers, ipod friendly chairs and other video games.  I was highly impressed with both the service and the amenities offered by the Loews Coronado Bay Resort. I would recommend this hotel to anyone traveling with children. You’ll have a hard time running out of things to do with your kids while staying at the Loews. The location of the hotel also provides a perfect summation of San Diego’s beauty and world renowned climate.

- Heather de Castro

I was absolutely delighted and honored to find a big box on my doorstep not to long ago, filled with packing peanuts and two beautifully framed “Certificates of Appreciation.” These came from one of our Army clients, with whom we’ve been working for the last three years. The enclosed note read:

“I want to thank you for all you and your staff have done for us these last three years. without all of you, our retreats would not have been successful. It has truly been a pleasure working with you. I look forward to continuing our partnership together in providing World Class retreats for our Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen.”

Bryna B. is a secretary at a local church, and she comes us with over a year’s experience working at a childcare center. A San Diego native, she enjoys floral design, surfing, reading, and camping. Bryna is described by her references as “responsible, kind, cheerful, and loving.” She is a confident, independent young lady with lots of integrity. We’re excited to have her!