Concierges' Picks for Mom's (or Dad's) Day Off

The thought of going back to school may make kids blue, but their moms are coming up roses at the prospect of a bit of free time during the day. While their children are learning their three R’s, mom and dad might just take a day off work for their own three R’s:  Relaxation, Recreation and Rejuvenation. 
           
There is a quandary, however.  With so many opportunities available in SoCal, parents’ biggest dilemma may be deciding which ones to choose for those few hours of relative freedom. 

Knowing even more than most of us how many activities and attractions abound in our area, four local concierges have found themselves in the “too-many-choices” predicament. But, after some deep thought, here’s what they plan to do with their first precious school-day-off.

Catherine Bouvier, the new Head Concierge at San Diego Marriott Del Mar and the mother of two teenagers, is “really missing my tennis,” so she’ll pick up a singles match. Her husband, an airline pilot, may be home during the day, so she might play a match with him.  But first, she’s going for a long walk at Torrey Pines “to try to find a little solitude.  Afterwards, she says, “I’ll probably call a girlfriend and go for lunch at Jake’s at the beach.    

“It’s really important to find a balance for yourself,” says this hard-working mom.  Joy Richards of La Jolla Cove Suites should listen to that advice. “Even on my day off, I would probably call the hotel, just to see how things were going,” she confesses. But first she’ll pamper herself with a pedicure and manicure.  Then, “I would go to a restaurant with a girlfriend and maybe go shopping,” she says. “I would love to just walk around Target by myself and not have to worry what my two kids are doing.”

Jimmy Huprich of Handlery Hotel & Resort is heading for the shore. “I’d probably go surfing,” he says.  You will find him either in La Jolla or Sunset Cliffs, “depending on what the conditions are for that day.” For something new, Jimmy is eager to take a history tour of San Diego’s downtown and Embarcadero with a buddy. After that little jaunt, he says, it’s an Italian lunch at Asti’s downtown. 

Julianne Pion of Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina says she usually does errands when she has a free day.  Prompted to think of the time as just for herself, this single mom fantasized about a morning massage and the rest of her ideal day off.  

After the massage, there would be lunch at Point Loma Seafood, she says. “A fish sandwich or shrimp Louie, and then a long walk on Shelter Island.” With the rest of the afternoon ahead, she would “go out with Sail San Diego for 3-hour sailing trip.” 

Her fantasy proved too good to resist. “Now that I’ve thought about this wonderful day, I’ve decided it’s something I actually want to do for myself,” she says.  So, look for Julianne and a concierge colleague as they sail happily through their next school day off!