Did I mention that La Jolla has some of best shopping, restaurants and museums? Energized with our great night's sleep, we enjoyed glorious majestic coastline of sandstone cliffs, searching for sea shells on beach, and even hiking trails rewarding us with perfect scenery and exercise.

But it was our dining experience at Hilton's Torreyana Grille and Lounge that rivaled meaning of word perfection.

We started out with Dungeness Crab Cakes served over Baby Maché with Tamarind Chili Sauce and Mango Puree. This savory delight was followed by their Local Baby Spinach and Arugula Salad with California Blue Cheese, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Sundried Strawberries, Red Onions and Toasted Pine Nuts. But it was our entrées that were prepared to perfection. I enjoyed succulent Pan Seared Veal Loin Medallions with Dijon mustard and Vermouth Sauce. My husband, Steve, feasted upon Colorado Rack of Lamb, Pan Roasted Double Chops, crusted with honey mustard and fresh herbs with Merlot au jus.

Our meal was made more perfect because "Chef de Cuisine", Joe Saldana, came to our table and extended his generous hospitality to us. He exuded great love for his profession, his restaurant, and his guests. The very art of providing fine cuisine and making something delicious is one of greatest civilized acts of love. Chef Joe Saldana has mastered this art to perfection.

Besides offering a most perfect gourmet dining experience, Torreyana Grille hosted a "Mixed Media" exhibition, curated by StudioGallery. The exhibition offered Hilton's guests, art collectors, and art lovers a wide variety of works that featured local, national, and international, young, and emerging, as well as established artists. One of my favorites was Amy Lindquist who featured her art as mixed media on canvas.

Amy is quoted as saying, "Life is happening at a rapid pace, yet calmness and belonging is always found. I will never stop believing in goodness of life, truth. There is always hope and a knowing of grace and things to come. To look beyond and see, to look beyond and feel, to look beyond and know we are never alone. It is simplicity of quiet that brings introspection and integrity of mind. I see things differently because of what I remember in moments, in shadows, in colors or maybe gestures. I see beyond surface and into depth. Painting captures my spirit in doing, in that I find freedom, in sharing I find acceptance." Amy Lindquist's paintings were yet another demonstration of Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines perfecting art of hospitality.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention grand and spacious new banquet facility that general manager, Stephen Gold, oversaw to completion in 2003. The architecture blends its perfect harmony with undulating curves and pristine views of Torrey Pines property. The banquet rooms take your breath away with their beautiful décor and inspiring views of Pacific Ocean and golf course.

The hotel also provides 26,000 sq. ft. of function space in 21 rooms to accommodate up to 1,500 people and over 17,000 square feet of flexible outdoor function space. But it is without a doubt that Mr. Gold's 6,203-square-foot Fairway Pavilion Ballroom overlooking 18th fairway of Torrey Pines Golf Course is unsurpassed in banquet and meeting facilities.

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Janice Wilson, Jetsetters Magazine Editor – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

Janice Wilson, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com

John's wife, Regan is an educator from New York City. John is a former engineer, so he keeps inn in tiptop shape. There's a steam radiator for heat in winter, but it is summer, and I didn't need ceiling fans, so I popped open large windows for fresh breezes coming off saltwater bay.

The OGI has 11 standard rooms, nine with private baths, but try to get my room, #6, best room, with private bath and a king comfy bed, period-piece dresser drawers, and replicated gray-stripped Colonial Federalist wallpaper. The natural hardwoods throughout inn have been painstakeningly restored.

On ground floor, living room is stocked with books about area, with a fireplace in front of sofas to curl up in with one of those tomes. The dining area is just off to back, where Regan serves her famous quiche in morning. You can come cook for me anytime, Regan. Breakfast is from 8-9 a.m., with coffee at 7 a.m.

From 1906-1984 Old Granite Inn served as an Elks Club, but it was originally built in 1700s as a family home. The gray terrazzo floors were added after a fire gutted building in 1940s.

John and Regan Cary live in a more contemporary home attached to OGI. Regan was working hard in a computer cubby hole, designing a flyer for a rummage sale that day, taking place in basement. I checked out items for sale, and John was doing a brisk business for such an early morning start.

Get on their email newsletter at www.oldgraniteinn.com

Check out is at 11 a.m., but I was staying longer in town, so with Regan's permission I left my bags and came back later and left key in basket by door. That gave me a warm, small town feeling, and I can see why Rockland is voted one of best small towns to live in — because of people like John and Regan.

Summer Fun In Maine

The North Atlantic Blues Festival, winner of Blues Foundations "Keeping Blues Alive Award", runs in July at Harbor Park, in Rockland. I noted that Shemekia Copeland was one of headliners at 2003 event, whom I saw in Vegas, and she shouldn't be missed. Tickets are only $20 per day, $25 at door, or better yet, $35 for a weekend pass. Call 207/593-1189 or call Rockland Chamber of Commerce at 800/562-2526.

Port cargo is up 43% over prior year in Rockland port, but fishing haul is down at Portland Fish Exchange, as was number of cruise ships in harbor. The cruise ships are all going over to Bar Harbor, now, but you can still catch a family outing on a traditional coastal schooner through Maine Windjammer Association www.sailmainecoast.com. Do not miss Pirate Museum at Farrington/Wyeth Museum in Rockland. Find out why pirates capture our imagination from these imaginative portraits, murals, and seascapes. I guess there is a little of a pirate in all of us. Then you will have some jargon to swap with maties on your summer windjammer cruise. For best on Maine on TV check out "Bill Green's Maine" on Channel WLEZ www.WLBZ2.com in Bangor, Maine, or WCSH in Portland, Maine, or visit www.wcsh6.com

The Rockland Farmers' Market Association is an organization of independent local farmers, growers, and producers who offer a wide variety of locally produced farm fresh foods, plants, flowers and other products. Many of those products can be purchased in stores on Main Street.

Acadia National Park is close by, great for rock climbing with Acadia Mountain Guides: www.acadiamountainguides.com or call 800/232-9559.

Maine State Ferry Service operates from Rockland by Department of Transportation, PO Box 645, 517A Main Street, Rockland, ME 04841-0645; 207/596-2202. Call or write for a ferry schedule. The. For Aura restaurant reservations call

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Kriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Editor – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

Kriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com