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Reception dinner on or by the beach in San Diego?

PrincessJasPrincessJas member
100 Comments First Anniversary
in California-San Diego
Hi ladies,

I have a question for San Diego locals or brides who have been through the search before regarding good locations for a reception dinner on or adjacent to the beach. 

Hubby-to-be (San Diego native) and I are holding a mid-morning ceremony in Balboa Park, but he menitoned he would like the dinner to be on the beach, preferably near a fire ring so we can have a bonfire.  Does anyone have good ideas for where we can do this?  He had a few suggestions (Torey Pines State Park, La Jolla, Coronado Island), but it's been a while since he lived there, so any help or comments on good sites would be appreciated.

Also, has anyone had or witnessed a beach reception?  We're not sticklers on formality, and I was even going back and forth on the necessity of tables (put down nice blankets for guests - the guests are largely family who love the beach and wouldn't mind).  Does this make it a nightmare for catering?  Any help would be appreciated.
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Re: Reception dinner on or by the beach in San Diego?

  • S6ixS6ix
    100 Comments
    La Jolla Shores Hotel does dinner on the beach for parties sometimes. I'd start there. I do think that beach blankets would be difficult to manage if you plan on having any sort of plated dinner with servers walking around, and also remember some people need more back support than others and would be really uncomfortable without a chair or support of some kind. But that said, a beach reception would be beautiful! I love Balboa Park weddings by the way! I run there and I always feel so happy seeing the beautiful brides. We did our engagement pictures at the park. :)
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  • PrincessJasPrincessJas member
    100 Comments First Anniversary
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_california-san-diego_reception-dinner-on-or-by-the-beach-in-san-diego?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:64Discussion:e41eb2b4-f259-4124-a29b-79d0c84ea1b2Post:34f5d3c0-7f4c-4233-871b-39be7cd3be06">Re: Reception dinner on or by the beach in San Diego?</a>:
    [QUOTE]La Jolla Shores Hotel does dinner on the beach for parties sometimes. I'd start there. I do think that beach blankets would be difficult to manage if you plan on having any sort of plated dinner with servers walking around, and also remember some people need more back support than others and would be really uncomfortable without a chair or support of some kind. But that said, a beach reception would be beautiful! I love Balboa Park weddings by the way! I run there and I always feel so happy seeing the beautiful brides. We did our engagement pictures at the park. :)
    Posted by S6ix[/QUOTE]

    <div>Thanks for the input, S6ix!  You're right about some guests needing a table - I was playing with the idea of a few scattered table for those who want/need them.  And you're also right that it would be a nightmare for a plated dinner, but wouldn't that be difficult in a location without a kitchen to use for prep, anyway?</div>
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  • S6ixS6ix
    100 Comments
    Glad to help! :) it depends on what sort of food you are envisioning. It would be good for you to call a few catering companies or a wedding coordinator to get some ideas about catering on a beach. Lots of catering companies have mobile kitchens. If you go the beach route and you aren't working with a hotel or other business located on the beach, don't forget you will need permits. Also, I don't think drinking is allowed on the beach anymore (unless you're on the hotel's part of the beach). Ditto glassware, because of the risk of breakage. I guess my point is that logistically it is probably way easier to work with someone who does this all of the time, rather than try to arrange it piecemeal and have to worry about having someone stake out a spot at the beach that morning, get all of the permits, etc. If you have the budget, the Hotel Del has some awesome beachfront! Or Paradise Point, the Bahia, the Catamaran (although those are on the bay, not the ocean).
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  • wendysandiegowendysandiego member
    100 Comments
    What time of year are you thinking?  La Jolla Shores beach is very very crowded in the summer, and it would be hard to coordinate a reception on the beach.

    I had my wedding at the La Jolla Shores Hotel, and was so wonderfully happy with everything they did.They have a restaurant called the Shores that has great food--same chefs as the Marine Room.  They also own the La Jolla Beach and Tennis club, and I do know they cater BBQ-type dinners on the sand in front of the property.  It's easier to do that there because the regular beach goers don't go down in front of that property.

    The La Jolla Shores Hotel has a couple areas in the hotel with great views of the beach.  That way you get the best part without the sand!
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  • PrincessJasPrincessJas member
    100 Comments First Anniversary
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_california-san-diego_reception-dinner-on-or-by-the-beach-in-san-diego?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:64Discussion:e41eb2b4-f259-4124-a29b-79d0c84ea1b2Post:18a12881-3420-4a86-8feb-a6111ee4b179">Re: Reception dinner on or by the beach in San Diego?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Glad to help! :) it depends on what sort of food you are envisioning. It would be good for you to call a few catering companies or a wedding coordinator to get some ideas about catering on a beach. Lots of catering companies have mobile kitchens. If you go the beach route and you aren't working with a hotel or other business located on the beach, don't forget you will need permits. Also, I don't think drinking is allowed on the beach anymore (unless you're on the hotel's part of the beach). Ditto glassware, because of the risk of breakage. I guess my point is that logistically it is probably way easier to work with someone who does this all of the time, rather than try to arrange it piecemeal and have to worry about having someone stake out a spot at the beach that morning, get all of the permits, etc. If you have the budget, the Hotel Del has some awesome beachfront! Or Paradise Point, the Bahia, the Catamaran (although those are on the bay, not the ocean).
    Posted by S6ix[/QUOTE]<div>
    </div><div>Thanks - you're right; I should start calling caterers.  And I'll also look into the other hotels you mentioned;  a hotel would definitely be the easiest option, but budget is a big question for us (both grad students and looking at paying for most of it).  Don't even get me started about permits; at Balboa Park, you have to apply to reserve the space, with a fee, before you can even apply for the permit!!!</div><div>
    </div><div>PS - I'm amazingly jealous that you get to run at Balboa Park!!!

    </div>
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  • PrincessJasPrincessJas member
    100 Comments First Anniversary
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_california-san-diego_reception-dinner-on-or-by-the-beach-in-san-diego?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:64Discussion:e41eb2b4-f259-4124-a29b-79d0c84ea1b2Post:5c0b6ec1-c4d9-47af-9a41-c90046f730fb">Re: Reception dinner on or by the beach in San Diego?</a>:
    [QUOTE]What time of year are you thinking?  La Jolla Shores beach is very very crowded in the summer, and it would be hard to coordinate a reception on the beach. I had my wedding at the La Jolla Shores Hotel, and was so wonderfully happy with everything they did.They have a restaurant called the Shores that has great food--same chefs as the Marine Room.  They also own the La Jolla Beach and Tennis club, and I do know they cater BBQ-type dinners on the sand in front of the property.  It's easier to do that there because the regular beach goers don't go down in front of that property. The La Jolla Shores Hotel has a couple areas in the hotel with great views of the beach.  That way you get the best part without the sand!
    Posted by wendysandiego[/QUOTE]

    <div>Wendy - thanks for the endoresement for La Jolla Shores Hotel.  We're looking at late September or early October, primarily based on reading about other people having problems with tourists on the beach during summer :)</div>
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  • S6ixS6ix
    100 Comments
    Try the Admiral Kidd Club too. I just now remembered that place. And Loew's Coronado. I'll keep posting as places pop into my head. Oh - some of the restaurants in Del Mar and points north are on the beach. I'm thinking Jake's, Poseidon, Charlie's...they might be an option? Or worth investigating at least? It is fun to put some of my eating-out-in-San-Diego knowledge to good use! :)
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  • PrincessJasPrincessJas member
    100 Comments First Anniversary
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_california-san-diego_reception-dinner-on-or-by-the-beach-in-san-diego?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:64Discussion:e41eb2b4-f259-4124-a29b-79d0c84ea1b2Post:4036ce26-a9a3-4c3e-8c77-57a5046a726e">Re: Reception dinner on or by the beach in San Diego?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Try the Admiral Kidd Club too. I just now remembered that place. And Loew's Coronado. I'll keep posting as places pop into my head. Oh - some of the restaurants in Del Mar and points north are on the beach. I'm thinking Jake's, Poseidon, Charlie's...they might be an option? Or worth investigating at least? It is fun to put some of my eating-out-in-San-Diego knowledge to good use! :)
    Posted by S6ix[/QUOTE]

    <div>Thanks :)  As you post them, I'm adding them to my "to check out" list.  </div>
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  • Chels&JimmyChels&Jimmy member
    1000 Comments 5 Love Its First Anniversary
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_california-san-diego_reception-dinner-on-or-by-the-beach-in-san-diego?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:64Discussion:e41eb2b4-f259-4124-a29b-79d0c84ea1b2Post:510e6b4c-7c90-4695-970d-19f53cdc28f1">Re: Reception dinner on or by the beach in San Diego?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Don't even get me started about permits; at Balboa Park, you have to apply to reserve the space, with a fee, before you can even apply for the permit!!! 
    Posted by PrincessJas[/QUOTE]<div>
    </div><div>I just went through the permit process this morning and it was really easy! The process will be a bit different for you since you're out-of-town, but I believe all you have to do is fax them an application (which you can get off the website) and they will either put your name in the wedding lottery 12 months out, or simply tell you if your desired date/space is available. All I did was show up at the Balboa Park office this morning, pick up a lottery number, and when my number was called I filled out a form and handed them my credit card. Then they handed me back my permit. All done. 

    </div>
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  • PrincessJasPrincessJas member
    100 Comments First Anniversary
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_california-san-diego_reception-dinner-on-or-by-the-beach-in-san-diego?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:64Discussion:e41eb2b4-f259-4124-a29b-79d0c84ea1b2Post:c6974cef-ea74-45a5-a5bc-e344dffccc34">Re: Reception dinner on or by the beach in San Diego?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Reception dinner on or by the beach in San Diego? : I just went through the permit process this morning and it was really easy! The process will be a bit different for you since you're out-of-town, but I believe all you have to do is fax them an application (which you can get off the website) and they will either put your name in the wedding lottery 12 months out, or simply tell you if your desired date/space is available. All I did was show up at the Balboa Park office this morning, pick up a lottery number, and when my number was called I filled out a form and handed them my credit card. Then they handed me back my permit. All done. 
    Posted by Chels&Jimmy[/QUOTE]

    <div>Chels&Jimmy - Thanks so much - that sounds much easier than I was anticipating!!!! I'm going to pass this along to my MIL-to-be; she lives in San Diego and is going to take care of the permits for us, as it is easier for her to do (and half the cost!!).</div>
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  • Chels&JimmyChels&Jimmy member
    1000 Comments 5 Love Its First Anniversary
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_california-san-diego_reception-dinner-on-or-by-the-beach-in-san-diego?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:64Discussion:e41eb2b4-f259-4124-a29b-79d0c84ea1b2Post:40f6a5f0-b634-46f2-9893-88df1f35e382">Re: Reception dinner on or by the beach in San Diego?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Reception dinner on or by the beach in San Diego? : Chels&Jimmy - Thanks so much - that sounds much easier than I was anticipating!!!! I'm going to pass this along to my MIL-to-be; she lives in San Diego and is going to take care of the permits for us, as it is easier for her to do (and half the cost!!).
    Posted by PrincessJas[/QUOTE]

    <div>Yeah! I reserved a Shoreline park but the process for Balboa Park is the same. Call the regional parks office: (619) 235-1169 and double-check with them; they have been pretty helpful each time I've called. Definitely look into it! </div>
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