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On our last night in San Diego before heading back the next day, we were craving seafood. Sarah and I decided to embark on a magical journey to find good seafood in the downtown area. Before heading out, we asked the fun friendly staff guy at the Hotel St. James in the Gaslamp quarter to recomend us some good but affordable seafood. He directed us to what he referred to as a “cheap” affordable dining experience. He gave us two choices for seafood. We decided to head to the one further away thinking it would be more delicious and tasty due to the distance.

Walking around at night in the Gaslamp quarter is a trip. It was fun to walk through all the different types of people playing guitar, drinking at walk-up bars; a very cool environment to be in. When we found the first place there was a guy outside playing Wonderwall by Oasis. Unfortunately, the song was more memorable than the name of the seafood place. Probably because the price was ridiculous so we passed on it.

We decided to head for the second restaurant hoping for a bit better prices for delicious tasty seafood. As we were leaving to the next, we headed back the same way we came. This turned out to be an exercise in hilarious frustration as it was the complete opposite direction. We tried to follow the directions of the front desk staff as best we can, but apparently we are map-challenged. We managed to get re-0riented and make it to Osetra which also turned out to be very fancy, but we decided to go anyway. After being lost and hungry it was time to eat!

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Recently Alan and I made a trip to San Diego, California. While there we were fortunate enough to stay at the St. James Hotel which is in the middle of the Gas lamp Quarter. We found this hotel on Priceline and managed to get a pretty sweet room rate of only $119 a night. Upon arrival at the hotel, we were a little confused as to where to park the car, but never fear, if you have a car, they offer valet parking for only $20 extra a night. In the gas lamp quarter, we learned that this is a must or else you spend all your time trying to park.

Once in the hotel we were pleasantly surprised. The Hotel St. James is currently owned by Ramada, however; from the interior you would never know. The lobby is all 1920 swanky turn of the century, think old French ads, crystal chandeliers, warm colored walls, and lacquered black chairs. Needless to say for the price we paid, we were in awe.

Upon learning that our room was on the eighth floor we headed to the elevators, this led to our next surprise. The elevators are the old-fashioned kind; you open a door, pull aside a metal gate and step inside. Not going to lie, first time you ride of these is little nerve-racking. Apparently, in 1913 the Hotel St. James had the fastest elevators in the world. They still go the same speed, which by today’s standards is pretty slow. It’s amazing how far we’ve come in elevator technology. The hotel rooms are pretty standard, a nice queen sized bed, a TV, a small window with nice views and a teeny-tiny bathroom. No complaints on the room, however let me just say the shower tends to randomly change temperature and the walls are very thin. Please for the sake of your neighbors keep your sex at a reasonable sound level! If you get a chance stay here, it is definitely a fun experience.

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