The Lafayette at Christmas, 2025 edition

NO place in San Diego decorates for Christmas like the Lafayette Hotel and Club on El Cajon Boulevard. Just take a look at this festively lit grand entrance!



El Cajon Boulevard used to be known as the red light district; thanks to the Lafayette, it can be labeled as the red AND green district.



Two nutcrackers greet you as you enter the premises, wearing the signature purple garb of the hotel:



Inside, an explosion of lights, trees, garland, and ornaments signal the holidays:



This little alcove, which is slated to eventually be a gift shop, is where Santa Claus makes his appearance and lets you sit on his lap. I guess my 6am visit was too early for him.



Atlas at the bar now has to bear the weight of a Christmas tree in addition to his usual globe.



A blowup Frosty the Snowman watches over the proceedings at the pool:



Even the pool floaties are themed for the holiday:



The pool bar looks magical with the lights on:



If you’re into Instagram opportunities, the Lafayette (like any Consortium Holdings property) abounds with them. A sleigh at the pool is ready for your next pose:



…and this sleigh outside the Gutter:



Beginner’s Diner was mild in its decor; just some garland strewn around the booths:



The buckwheat pancakes were devoured quickly:



If you are thinking about checking out the decor at the Lafayette, don’t expect it to be empty like my photos; that would require a 6am arrival time. By 9am, you will be swatting off others with the same goal like flies.
 
See more Lafayette Hotel and Club in San Diego photos at my main website.

Christmas at the Lafayette

At Thanksgiving, I saw the Lafayette install a sleigh and reindeer on top of their sign out front of the Hotel. I incorrectly assumed that they were doing a token nod to Christmas.



I couldn’t have been more wrong. Going back for an early breakfast at Beginner’s Diner this weekend, it appeared as if I was at the North Pole! This incredible gingerbread house (patterned after the historic hotel itself) sits inside the entrance:



The lobby was adorned with ornaments and garland. Too much? Well, it is the Lafayette, and their theme does appear to be “more is more.” It works.



This empty little area that sits to the side of the lobby is normally empty and a bit sad looking, devoid of purpose.



Now, it appears to be the perfect place for a visit to Santa; or maybe just a Christmas selfie. I didn’t see any signage about appearances by Mr. Claus.



On the right side of this nook are a variety of vintage Christmas albums; do you see any that you recognize from days gone by?



Another selfie opportunity awaits in the courtyard outside the Gutter bowling alley and bar:



Inside the trophy case sits Santa; do you see your name? Looks like Steve has nothing but coal in his future.



The lobby bar has trees, too…HANGING FROM THE CEILING!



Garland has been strewn across the Olympic-sized Johnny Weissmuller pool:



There are nods to the Jewish faith as well, near the pool:



…and on the lobby mantel:



If you’re in the San Diego area over the holidays, be sure to stop by the Lafayette!

See more Lafayette Hotel and Club photos at my main website.

Rudford’s Diner: The Real Thing

While other places attempt to replicate the genuine diner experience, Rudford’s in San Diego doesn’t have to try. It’s the real thing. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, it’s been serving the North Park neighborhood since 1949. The photo mural below graces the side of the building.



President John F. Kennedy’s motorcade drove by the restaurant on June 6th, 1963, just a few months before he was assassinated.



Rudford’s has a milkshake named in his honor. The JFK Bacon Caramel Shake is not for the faint of heart, and guaranteed to induce a food coma. And speaking of shakes, this one comes with a good sized portion of extra shake in the cup it was made in. Little extras like that are what makes a great diner!



Signage and tchotchkes adorn the walls and shelves.



Atmosphere like this just can’t be created.



So much neon…I love it!



The patty melt is a favorite of mine; plenty of meat and just the right amount of grease. It is DELICIOUS!



Do not skip the pie for dessert; they are made fresh here at the restaurant from scratch.



The service is super friendly, too. Not the canned kind that is attempted through training; the real kind.

See more North Park/Rudford’s Diner photos at my main website.

Monday at The Lafayette: Quixote

A few years ago when I learned that the iconic Red Fox Restaurant was getting the boot from the new owners of the Lafayette Hotel, I was extremely disappointed. Not because the Fox had amazing food, but because it was a historic piece of San Diego restaurant kitsch (and the only restaurant that my late Aunt frequented). As previous posts have reported, the Fox moved across the street to a nondescript building and Quixote, a tapas restaurant, has replaced it. Having dined there, I can now say that I’m 100% fine with that change.



The inside is a visual feast, full of pieces that were reclaimed from an old Mexican church (according to the server). While the booths are not comfortable (without pads, not even sure “cozy” could be used), I’m not gonna’ gripe about it. In this case, the price of the atmosphere and look is worth it.



The bar, which is the perfect place for an after-work happy hour and nosh.



There are two side rooms at Quixote. These blew me away. LOVE ’EM!!



I want this for my house!



The dripping candles are a nice touch to set the mood.



The lighting is perfection, giving an air of mystery and slight decadence. Note the horns on the statue, reminiscent of the ones Michelangelo put on his statue of Moses. Is this meant to be Moses?



Besides candles, there are plenty of way-cool light fixtures.



Tapas doesn’t necessarily translate into good photography, but the cocktail sure did.  This one is the Motomami, with Oaxacan Rum, Mezcal, smoked pineapple, Sochu, lime, and Demerara. Yum.



I highly recommend this place, especially the Forcefully Crispy Chicken Tacos!

See more Quixote at the Lafayette Hotel photos at my main website.

Making Lemonade in San Diego

In the last month I have seen way more of the inside of a hospital than I would care to see in a lifetime. In this day and age though, acting as a patient advocate is a necessity if you want to make sure that those you care about are getting the best treatment possible. So what does a person do to make lemonade out of this lemony-situation? Naturally I turn to my camera. Can't complain about the view from the patient's 11th floor room. You can pretty much see all of San Diego.

The early morning drives in the dark (attempting to catch Doctors when they make their initial rounds for the day) caused me to pay attention to signage and other landmarks that I typically don't notice during the day. This neon sign for El Cajon Boulevard is a beauty, and celebrates what was once known as U.S. Route 80, the principal automobile route from San Diego to El Cajon, the Imperial Valley, and points east.



Along the way you can see Rudford's Restaurant (ate here once many moons ago after a night on the town):



The infamous Red Fox Room, which was just about the only place my late Aunt cared to dine:



The Red Fox Room was an old inn in Surrey, England and dates from around 1560.



The room was dismantled in 1926 and shipped to the U.S. for actress, Marion Davies, where it was completely rebuilt as her "Ocean House."



During the 1950's, this property was sold and the Red Fox Room was again dismantled and placed in Storage.



It is from this source that the Red Fox finally found its resting place in the Lafayette Hotel.



It's always good to stop and smell the roses; or in this case, the Fox.

See more Daveland North Park in San Diego photos at my main website.