March 19, 2008 by steve.

Ok, CurbCursher said he’d mention food when is made sense. And it makes sense here. As noted above, I was in San Diego, CA for a night and a day (oops, then it turned into another night). Just as you get onto Shelter Island is a restaurant, the Red Sails Inn Restaurant. I like this place, and list it as one of my favorite places to eat. I’m sure the food critics probably describe this place as a local “Red Lobster,” but it has character, nice folks working there, and it serves good food for fair prices.

The menu is a typical sea food place. There is shrimp, scallops and fish. Since I ended up there two nights in a row I had a broiled Mahi Mahi the first night, and fried shrimp the second night. Both dishes were well prepared, and tasted good. The only complaint I had was the garlic mashed potatoes I had as a side dish on the first night. There weren’t very garlicy. I avoided this mistake on the second night and had the baked potato instead.

As with pretty much anything on Shelter Island, the location is great. If the weather is nice, you can sit outside and enjoy a great view of the marina. If not, you can stay inside and enjoy a great view of the marina. The place has been around since 1957, and seems to have a following with some of the sailors from the marinas nearby. On every trip I think I’ve overheard at least one conversation going on in the bar about sailing techniques and methods. Some of these get quite animated, with the participants trying to show boat, sail, wind, and landmarks with their hands and arms.

All in all a great place to relax, have some seafood and enjoy the view.

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March 19, 2008 by steve.

Ok, its not a campground, but this has been one of my favorite places to stay over the past five to eight years. Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn and Suites is located in San Diego on Shelter Island. As I looked around my room I was wondering why. But I think it is one of those location, location, location things.

Shelter Island is a great place. It is located on the north side of San Diego’s bay, and has a public park that runs most of the length of the island. You can walk along the sidewalk the length of the island, look at the moored boats, see the Navy base across the bay, and watch all kinds of shipping pass by going in and out of the bay. It is a very peaceful and relaxing place to be. As a matter of fact, I took an afternoon run before going out to eat. There’s enough stuff to watch that you don’t even realized that your exercising. On the other side of the island there are a number of marinas that hold just about every kind of boat imaginable. Mostly sail boats. I love sitting in my room, or at the restaurant at breakfast and looking out at all the masts and boats. In addition, a short walk back to the mainland gives you a wide variety of eating options.

Humphrey’s itself is located right as you drive onto the island. The rooms decor is a little dated, as a matter of fact, full disclosure probably would require me to say that it is a lot dated. But, as I said the location is excellent. The hotel is built with a courtyard in the middle, and there is a large pool, a hot tub and a putting green located in this space. The area is well landscaped, and gives the feel of a tropical garden. All in all, it makes for a relaxing place to stay.

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