Paradise Point Review Part II plus a GIVEAWAY!

Last month my family took a little three night SoCalCation to the beautiful Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego. This is Part II of our amazing experience at this incredibly family-friendly resort.

I am also VERY excited because because Paradise Point has so generously offered to give away a stay so one of you have the chance to win a SoCalCation too! Make sure to read all the way to the end of the post to see how to enter!

There was so much that we loved about staying at this resort it was hard to know where to start. To make it easier, I jotted down a list of our favorite things. When I did, it was obvious I needed to break the review into two posts. Here was the list…

* our beautiful room * the expansive lush grounds * the convenient location * the five pools *
* the tranquil bay * all the different activities available for kids and families

So welcome today to Part II and click here to read Part I about our amazing Bayside Bungalow Room, the expansive grounds and awesome location which were favorites # 1 – #3. Now I will continue with favorites #4 – #6…

[Photo credit: Paradise Point]

My five year old Emma learned to swim this summer and turned into a little fish. To go to a resort that had four different pools to explore was a dream for her!  Paradise Point actually has five pools, but one is reserved for adults only (smart for couples traveling without kids!)

The tropical Main Pool, located by the lobby, was the largest and had an expansive pool to swim and play. Best part about this pool was one area actually had a real sandy beach with a gradual wading entry. You could park right there on the “beach” in a chaise. My two-year-old LOVED the sandy beach at the pool!

The Main Pool also has a poolside Tropics Bar & Grill where my husband and I split the best steak tacos and Mommy enjoyed a little vacation margarita.

The other three pools were much smaller and tucked in between clusters of rooms. They were more quaint and quiet. One of the things my daughter loved was picking which pool she wanted to go to.

Paradise Point Tip:  If traveling with kids five and under, make sure to bring a stroller.  The pools are all walking distance, but some are sort of a trek after hours of swimming for little legs.

All the little pools also had the same wading entry, so my two year old could do this (see picture below.) I could sit in the wading area with her as she splashed around. She was in heaven!

Make sure to check out our room in my Part I post here because having a room right on the sand on the beautiful bay was one of the top highlights of the trip.

With two children under five, the tranquil bay with zero waves to play in was an absolute dream.  My husband and I could actually RELAX and just watch them, unlike when we take our littlest to the ocean and have to continually chase her to keep her from running into the waves.

We brought a bag of sand toys and they spent hours playing in the water. It was hard for me to get good picture of them on the sand because they were both so enthralled with their play!

Paradise Point Tip: Wait to bathe your kids until you are ready to place them SMACK into bed if staying in a room on the sand!

This is what happens when you attempt to take a bath after dinner but still allow them to cruise around.  It was impossible to keep them away from the water.  Here are my newly bathed girls in their pajamas.  But how can you say “no” on vacation?!

To make staying on the bay even better, Paradise Point has twelve fire pits scattered along the one mile stretch of sandy beach that surrounds the property.  You know what that means – s’mores! Yippee!

The Island Market on property sells s’mores kits and firewood, so they have all you need to make your own fire and roast away. It was the first time my girls had a s’more.  Think they liked them?

Paradise Point Tip #2:  Keep the marshmallows out of view from a two-year-old, otherwise, they will be the requested breakfast item the next morning. Marshmallow mommy!  Marshmallow mommy! Over and over again. And since it was vacation, guess what my girls had to accompany their cereal?  You guessed it, a marshmallow.

Our family loved that there was so much to do on this island that in four days we didn’t ever leave except once for breakfast.

We brought our girls scooters and bikes and they loved being able to ride around.   They also loved “playing golf” on the mini 18-hole putting green. Clubs and golf balls available at the Island Market.

Paradise Point also has tennis, basketball, horse shoes, croquet and  ping pong, which we didn’t personally experience, but we saw a lot of families enjoying through the course of our stay. These activities are included free of charge.

Near the Island Market there was a bike rental shop where you could rent surrey bikes, boogie boards, beach cruisers, etc. One morning we rented a surrey and cruised around the property.  It was fun to go around and see all the different beaches.  It also gave my oldest a chance to choose her pool of choice for the day after evaluating the choices.

And I haven’t even gotten to all the activities in the marina yet! Located off a pier adjacent to the Barefoot Bar & Grill, there is a rental shop for pretty much any water activity you could think of.

We saw a lot of families out on kayaks, paddle boards and jet skis.  There are also sailboat and speedboat rentals along with waterskiing and wakeboarding. Even year round surf lessons! You name it!

I love that this property had so much to offer our young children, but there is also a gazillion fun things to entertain older children as well. I think we are going to make Paradise Point a family tradition.  I love the thought of having a special vacation spot to return to each year.

I also learned that the property will be celebrating it’s 50th anniversary next year on 10-11-12 and even more exciting renovations and anniversary plans are in store to celebrate. I can’t imagine this property actually getting better (but I am told it will!)

Thank you Paradise Point for your hospitality and for giving my family vacation memories we will never forget!

One lucky winner will receive a one-night stay in one of the Paradise Point Lanai Garden rooms! Prize will include taxes, complimentary Passport to Paradise (which includes free wifi, use of the fitness center, etc.) and a s’mores kit.

Fine print: Parking not included ($28 per car/night). And any food, beverage, spa treatments or any other fee-based activities are winner’s responsibility. Room is subject to availability and blackout dates may apply. Prize expiration date 10/11/12.

HOW TO ENTER:

Please leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry option. Contest runs through Tuesday, 10/11/11 at 5pm PST. Winner will be selected at random and contacted via email so please leave your email address in the field (won’t be published.) Winner will have 48-hours to respond and claim prize before a new winner is selected.

1. Simply comment below and tell me what you think your family would love most about Paradise Point – 1 ENTRY

2. [Like] Paradise Point on Facebook – 1 ENTRY

3. Follow @ParadisePointSD on Twitter – 1 ENTRY

4. [Like] Tiny Oranges on Facebook – 1 ENTRY

5. Follow @TinyOrangesOC on Twitter – 1 ENTRY

6. Tweet: “Enter to win a stay at @ParadisePointSD now on @TinyOrangesOC! http://wp.me/p1MmcT-2g2” and comment with a link to your tweet. – 1 ENTRY

7. Subscribe to Tiny Oranges email updates – 1 ENTRY

GOOD LUCK!

[Disclosure: We received a portion of our stay complimentary and a portion with a discounted media rate.  This is not a compensated post and all the opinions are my honest ones.  We LOVED staying here and I think you will too!]

294 comments

  1. This vacation sounds amazing. This would be a great getaway for my family. Since having my youngest (14 months) we have not gone on a vacation. I have 3 kids ages 11, 5 & 1. I can see all the kids faces light up as they enjoy smores.

  2. We would love the beach and the s’mores, pools and the activities. My four year old twins would LOVE IT ALL.

    I liked Paradise Point, and already like Tiny Oranges on FB and subscribe to TO emails.

  22. We would LOVE a staycation. Times are tough to travel right now and this sounds like just the thing our family needs!

  26. It looks like our 5 year old and 2 year old would have a blast here! Can’t decide which looks like the most fun. The pools, S’mores, golfing with the kids all sound fantastic!

  29. This sounds amazing! We would be so blessed if we won this stay. We have not been able to take a family vacation due to financial stuff so this would be amazing! Thanks for the opportunity!

  33. I have heard nothing but fantastic things about Paradise Point for a few years now – can’t wait to see for myself! Just went and “liked” them on Facebook.

    Already “liked” Tiny Oranges!

  48. We love PP!! We went last month as well, and had the best time. My little guys keep begging to go back!! I hope we win!!

  53. Definitely looks like a little something for everyone. There are so many activities for my 6 and 8 year olds and my 2 year old would love the sandy beach entrance into the pool. I love the idea of nightly s’mores for the family. What a great way to have quality family time, and it’s so close to home:-)

  55. We LOVE this resort. This is where my hubby and I said “I Do” several years ago. We would love to go back with our little guy and enjoy all of the family amenities!

  59. Um… I am SALIVATING over all of your favorite things about Paradise Point, but if I HAD to choose one it would be the pools. No, the bay. No, the activities. No, the s’mores. No, the room. No, the location.

  81. I think my boys would love all the pools, but I think they would REALLY love the smores (and me too!)! Great post T.O.!

  82. My son would love to do the nightly smores and I would enjoy the family activities at the resort like the mini-golf.

  91. My daughter LOVES to swim and I think she would have a blast at the pools and the tranquil beach. I’ve heard so many great things about this resort- I hope we get to visit!

  108. our family would LOVE this vacation! playing in the sand and bay, swimming in the pools, s’mores, and staying in a hotel… sounds perfect 🙂

  111. My family would enjoy this trip, because it would be a vacation within our city. Not having to travel out of town. But most of all it would also allow us to create some great memories and quality time.

  125. My kids would love splashing around in the bay and having smores by the fire. this sounds like the perfect family destination!

  132. This Place looks amazing. Having 2 little ones myself, it’s difficult to go away for vacations. This staycation would be perfect for us. Hanging out at the beach and ending the night with s’mores. Sounds

  137. My family would love ALL of it. As long as we are doing anything together we can make anything fun (but let’s face it making smores would be the best).

  140. Our family would LOVE the freedom to just relax and play spontaneously! We haven’t been on a family vacation in quite sometime and paradise point looks like the most perfect spot for bonding, making memories (and s’mores!) I love that it caters to both younger and older kids, making everyone happy!

  162. A family trip would be great, especially since it has been a challenging 2011. Thanks for the awesome opportunity.

  164. My husband and I were married at Paradise Point in 2003. We would love to bring our two children here to show them where our family began.

  186. Would love to get away to Paradise Point to spend quality time with my family & enjoy the amazing pools!

  195. We actually were just looking into staying at Paradise Point in October! It’s our 10 year anniversary on Oct. 13th (and my mom’s birthday), so we are trying to plan a stay in San Diego for both my parents and our family, somewhere our 2 kids would enjoy! Thank you for posting!

  196. I’m getting married here next summer and have a ton of friends and family traveling to san diego from all over the US. I would love for my family to have the chance to stay at the resort with me to share in so many memories.

  197. Sounds like a great place to spend quality time with the family and make great memories. I think the s’mores sounds like fun!

  201. I planned a wedding at Paradise Point back in 2007 and have always wanted to return and stay there with my family. Looks like such a fun spot for the kiddos!

  208. My Jr. High daughters and I would love the sun setting over the water, and waking up to the sound of waves lapping the shore. Morning walk with the sand in our toes… the youngest still likes chasing seagulls! San Diego is truly lovely.

  211. I drive by Paradise Point almost every day. I would love the opportunity to stay there. Sounds like a great place to take my grandaughter – who is just old enough for the water!

  222. We are AT the resort as we speak!! Kids loved everything they did today including climbing the big tower, feeding the ducks, swimming in the main pool and playing in front of our room!!

  226. What an amazing contest! My children have never made smores, so I love that! Not to mention all the pools and fun.

  234. My family would most enjoy making s’mores next to a bonfire after a day of kayaking!

  240. The getting away part is always good. The sitting in an adirondack chair on the sandy bay is special. Crossing fingers.

  241. Paradise Point looks amazing! Private beach, kid friendly pools, and bungalow style cabins all In a short drive from OC. This is definitely on the top of my family’s best getaway destinations.
    P.S. I liked Tiny Oranges and Paradise Point on Facebook and Twitter.

  243. Paradise point looks amazing! Our two boys would love everything from the pool to the s’mores while my husband and I would enjoy the quality family time!

    Ps I like TO on Facebook

  255. Any vacation would be great – it has been since my littlest one was still in my belly, and today he’s 4!

  257. I think my family would love a chance to have a tiny get away. Plus the smores would be yummy!

  264. What wouldn’t my family love about this place?! In particular, though, my son would LOVE the pools!

  270. We love everything about that resort. Sadly, we didn’t make it down there this year. Always try to get a room on the bay – so peaceful in the early morning hours.

  273. Love this place. Our daughter goes to SDSU and we would love to stay there again and visit with our lovely girl. 🙂

  274. Tranquil Bay looks and sounds amazing. I have 2 boys under 5 so this would be an ideal setting for my boys to enjoy the beach!

  278. I have been a SD resident since 1992 but working long hours as a nurse and raising 2 kids have occupied most of my time. Whiley husband and I were driving around a few weeks ago we were talking about how gorgeous SD is. I hope to win a free night stay at Paradise Point to jumpstart our plan to re-discover SD.

    Carina

  282. A get away at Paradise Point sounds amazing! I like them on FB and just liked Tiny Oranges. Can’t wait to familiarize myself with Tiny Oranges!
    Thanks for the opportunity for a night in Paradise.
    Best!
    Michelle

  284. We LOVE Paradise Point! The things we love to do at Paradise Point is make s’mores, walk on the beach, rent a boat, ride bikes…
    We have made this resort a family tradition at least 2-4 times a year. It is a great place!

  285. We would love the opportunity for a vacation at Paradise Point, San Diego. We have 2 girls and it looks like a wonderful escape for our family.

  286. We love this resort and have had the opportunity to stay here twice. Now that our kids are older, we’d love to try some of the ocean sport activities!

  287. My family and I would love to come to San Diego and stay and play at the beach,swim in the pools. And just sit and relax and have a great vacation together.

  289. This would be the perfect way to spend the weekend with my family. Something for EVERYONE to enjoy! TOGETHER!

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