San Diego Beach Vacation Day 1

CATAMARAN BEACH RESORT

Right on Mission Bay, the Catamaran has its own bay and ocean beaches, complete with watersports facilities. Built in the 1950s, the hotel has been fully renovated to modern standards without losing its trademark Polynesian theme; the atrium lobby holds a 15-foot waterfall and full-size dugout canoe, koi-filled lagoons meander through the property, and the pool is surrounded by a real bamboo fence, rather than a fake metal one. Numerous varieties of bamboo and palms sprout in the lush gardens, tropical birds chirp away, and torches blaze after dark. Guest rooms -- in a 13-story building or one of the six 2-story buildings -- have subdued South Pacific decor, and each has a balcony or patio. High floors of tower rooms have commanding views, while studios and suites have kitchenettes. A 9,300-square-foot spa was added in 2005, featuring a menu of South Pacific and Asian-inspired treatments. It's steps away from the bay's jogging-and-biking path, and runners with tots in tow can rent jogging strollers at the hotel. The Catamaran is also within a few blocks of Pacific Beach's restaurant-and-nightlife scene. The resort's Mississippi-style stern-wheeler, the Bahia Belle, cruises the bay Friday and Saturday evenings (nightly in summer) and is free to hotel guests.