Some places are just hotels. This one became part of our family’s story.
Long before I had children, I remember visiting a friend whose family was staying at your hotel. I fell in love with the beach, the relaxed atmosphere, and the feeling of being completely present. I remember thinking that one day, when I had children of my own, I wanted to create memories there too.
And that’s exactly what happened.
We started coming years ago when our children were little enough to spend hours building sandcastles, chasing waves, and falling asleep exhausted after a day on the beach. Every September, when the weather in Carlsbad is absolutely perfect, we would return. What began as one hotel room soon grew into multiple rooms so friends, cousins, and family could all be together. Before we knew it, it had become one of the weekends everyone looked forward to most each year.
As the years passed, the kids grew up, but one thing never changed. Whenever we talk about our favorite family memories, those weekends at your hotel always make the list. The beach became the backdrop for laughter, late-night conversations, sunrise walks, and memories that have stayed with us long after the suitcases were unpacked.
One visit stands out in a way none of us expected.
We were there the week of September 11, 2001. We woke that beautiful morning by the ocean only to watch history unfold. I’ll never forget the contrast between the peaceful beach outside and the uncertainty we all felt inside. It became another reminder that time with the people we love is something to treasure.
As life brought new challenges, your hotel became more than a vacation destination. After a dear friend underwent major back surgery, we gathered there before the surgery to lift spirits and returned afterward to celebrate recovery.
Later, after my own knee surgery, returning to that familiar beach reminded me that healing isn’t just physical. Sometimes it’s the sound of the ocean, the people you love, and a place that feels like coming home.
The photo I’m sharing was taken during one of our very first stays. It has always been my late mother’s favorite picture of my girls on the beach. Every time I look at it, I’m reminded that some of life’s most meaningful moments are often the simplest ones — bare feet in the sand, the ocean in the background, and the people we love most.
Looking back, I realize this beach has been the setting for so many chapters of my life — from dreaming about bringing my future family there, to watching my children grow, celebrating friendships, finding comfort during difficult times, and creating memories that will always be part of us.
Some places never leave your heart. This one never has.