The June 2025 Active Rain Point Store Challenge
The fantasy I’ve always had ever since moving to San Diego 22 years ago is hosting my entire family for Christmas at The Hotel Del Coronado for one epic week, with planned activities and excursions. I’ve come close to this dream, getting a preview of how it would be!
Back in July 2019, I attended the Nelson Family reunion at Black Butte Ranch in Oregon for an amazing week, where 33 adults and their children, plus 5 dogs stayed in a three-house compound at The Ranch in Oregon. We went hiking, golfing, swimming, dancing and had many shared outstanding family meals together – which we all took turns cooking or BBQing. Oh yes, and with plenty of Irish and Italian-style “cheer” along the way. This was so much fun, no drama and lots of cherished memories.
Then, in 2022 I hosted my entire in-law family at our home in Mission Bay Park – San Diego for Christmas, to get a sense of what it would be like to live out my fantasy Christmas at The Hotel Del. Success - that was such a blast having Ailina’s Mom, Sister and Niece stay with us. In fact, it was so much fun that it only made me ache more for this bucket list wish: a magical family holiday at The Del.
So, what has held me back? The Expense! But the exciting solution has been
presented to me this month! The June 2025 Active Rain Point Store Challenge will solve the expense issue with this long-awaited goal! You see with 1,677,000 current points I can finally afford the estimated 19 ocean-view suites and over 50 airfares I’d need to provide to pull this off for 40 adults and their children. Not to mention having at least half a dozen vehicles rented for the planned excursions to show off and explore America’s Finest City!
Here's the plan: Each family would use about 5,000 points for their flights, while the Victorian Ocean View Rooms—at 1,000 points each per night—would give us a gorgeous stay for six nights. Meals? We’d estimate around 150 points per adult per meal per day, and about 50/75 points per child, three times a day, for seven days of delicious family feasts.
I’m embarrassed to share the amount of points the bar tab would require, so let’s just say it would rival the nightly room fees 😂. And yes, some would indulge in ice skating on the beach—the famous Del tradition!
Our adventures would include teeing off at Torrey Pines, exploring Balboa Park’s museums and science center, marveling at the “Snow at The Del” winter wonderland—where it snows hourly during the holidays—and shopping excursions to La Jolla and Fashion Valley. We’d hike some of San Diego’s beautiful trails and end our trip with zoo lights at the world-famous San Diego Zoo, decked out in millions of sparkling Christmas lights.
I envision meals at long, festive tables—one-on-one chats with loved ones, and moments of quiet connection as we stroll and share stories. The points are more than just numbers; they’re the key to bringing us together, spanning five states from and SoCal / NorCal to Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, and Washington, making more memories filled with love and laughter under one roof.
My points would be spent on the precious gifts of Love and Memories – the only two things you get to keep and take with you!
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