Mission Bay, San Diego

I could have tossed my flip-flop and hit the sand, just steps away from my room at the Catamaran Resort & Spa in San Diego. Sailboats, kayaks and paddleboards dotted the waters of Mission Bay, with the Pacific Ocean and action-packed boardwalk of Mission Beach a few blocks away.

I could have lounged at this Polynesian-themed resort all day, but adventures awaited me. There was a historic wooden roller coaster to ride at Belmont Park, and an animal rescue area to visit at Sea World.

I returned for a cocktail cruise on the paddlewheel boat Bahia, and dinner at Oceana.

– Jan Schroder, @GirlontheGoJan