My partner and I recently vacationed to La Jolla from Phoenix for the weekend, and our stay in Vidi’s place could not have been more perfect. Nestled off Nautilus Street, one of the main boulevards that winds up Mount Soledad, this beautiful and spacious Spanish-style home is the ideal hillside retreat for couples or groups, combining privacy and seclusion with easy access to all the shops, restaurants, and bars of Bird Rock, La Jolla Village, and Pacific Beach. As you approach from the street, a paved driveway and large garage allow parking for at least eight cars, quite possibly more. The front door opens up to a large foyer: to the right, a grand seating area with a fireplace and views of the hills; and ahead, the “open plan” living room (with a TV and sectional), kitchen, and breakfast nook, as well as the stairwell leading upstairs. Between the two spaces lies the dining room, which seats ten, and a cocktail bar. Deciding where to lounge was probably the toughest decision of the weekend, like the La Jolla edition of Sophie’s Choice, especially considering that the upstairs has yet another recreational area (replete with a large flat-screen TV, a ping pong table, and ample seating). As foodies, this home was a dream. Not only did the kitchen have every appliance we could possibly need, but all the seating, both indoors and outdoors (more on that below), would make this home perfect for dinner with friends. And for someone who also enjoys sleeping as much as I enjoy shoving food in my face, this home did not fail to please. The giant master bedroom, located on the first floor off a hallway adjacent to the living room, had the most comfortable king-size bed and sheets. The closet was ENORMOUS; the bathroom—well, I can’t really wax poetic about any bathroom and retain my dignity, but I assure you it was a really nice one! I imagine the other bedrooms (another on the first floor, with its own bathroom) were equally enjoyable. There was a second bedroom on the first floor, with its own bathroom, as well as two on the second floor, one with its own bathroom. The second bedroom upstairs had two bunkbeds, making it perfect for kids or individuals who don’t mind sharing. In sum, there was no shortage of places to sleep, shower, and satisfy any other needs. While the inside was worth every penny (I’m leaving out, of course, the gorgeous décor, abundance of sunlight, and handsome stone flooring), it was the backyard that really stole my heart. A large pool, spa and outdoor bathroom made for a glamorous afternoon of lazing around in the sun with drinks. The more adventurous might even dip in the pool, but, like a cat, I’m not entertained by being wet. Two seating areas and a large outdoor dining table made the backyard as suitable for entertaining groups as the house itself. What really distinguishes this home from the rest was the...