CALL TOLL FREE: 1-800-671-8962
Winner’s Circle Beach and Tennis Resort
Solana Beach, California
This resort is located in the San Diego area, about eighteen miles mostly north of the San Diego Airport. It’s almost all freeways from the airport, so the drive is easy except for rush hours.
On our first pass we overshot the resort (at night), as it’s on a busy commercial street and has no brilliant Vegas-style signs. This error was quickly and easily corrected, and from then on finding it was a breeze.
The resort belongs to both RCI and Interval International and is rated a “resort of international distinction” by RCI. The resort also participates in the RCI Points program.
The resort’s name indicates some sort of affinity for horse racing, and nothing could be closer to the truth. In addition to its convenient location in the North San Diego County area, the resort is literally across the street from the Del Mar Race Track- easy walking distance for most. Racing is seasonal, but several other tracks in Southern California have different and staggered seasons.
The resort itself seems in excellent condition. It was extensively renovated over the last few years. The unit we enjoyed had new sliding doors, new bathroom and kitchen fixtures, and new drapes and carpeting. It had the feel of being just redone, and very appealingly so. The project, which was built in 1983, consists of studio, one bedroom, and two-bedroom units- 97 in all. They are built in a rectangle around a center courtyard, which contains adult and child’s pools, hot tub, a recreational building, and laundry facilities.
Operationally, timeshare ownership here is in one-week segments with both the unit and the week fixed. All time is “red” or “prime” time, as is Southern California generally. Check ins (and outs) are either Friday or Saturday. Weeks are deeded ownership.
Winner's Circle has a number of resort amenities besides being located in an area overflowing with attractions. Besides the pools already mentioned, there are several tennis courts, and the recreation areas include Ping-Pong, pool, card, games, and reading materials. There is a restaurant on-site; another next door, and several more within minutes. Shopping also is nearby. Several activities are provided for owners and guests, including an initial orientation- with coffee, juice, and pastries- that gives a lot of information about tours, area attractions, visits to Mexico, etc.
San Diego has a world reputation for near-perfect weather; balmy sunshine nearly all the time, mild temperatures day and night, low humidity, gentle breezes- if it’s nice, they’ve got it! I’m sure this is true, except for our stay there, in mid-February of 2003. El Nino, or somebody, was kicking over the traces out in the Pacific, and the result was a weather front that had us almost socked in for three of the six full days we were there. So we missed seeing one of the premier sights- the San Diego Zoo. That was a disappointment- we’re told it’s pretty much an all day outing. But that, plus the otherwise wonderful time we had there, makes us determined to return. There’s plenty else, too! The Sea World amusement park, Old Town, the old lighthouse, Del Rey, Oceanside, Solana Beach, Carlsbad and others. Really, something for everyone!
There’s a lovely lady on-site who handles resales (and expedites many other things as well), Jean Kolinski, and this treatise would not be complete without a grateful work of thanks to her for so much helpful information about the resort and the area. Thanks, Jean!
Our visit to San Diego was lovely; our timeshare exchange was smooth as silk, and our advice to others would be, go for it!
Copyright ©2003 George Wagner
