The Pearl in Point Loma is a rare find as its name suggests. Since it opened in 2007, travelers and locals, have discovered via online sources and word of mouth, that the moderately priced Pearl Hotel, nestled in the beautiful bayside community, is a choice destination for great food, ambiance, and entertainment. Entrepreneur, Gregory Strangman of Live.Work. Play. Group Inc. (L.W. P. Group) created a pearl of a hotel by revamping a 60s landmark, formerly the Sportsman's Lodge, into a fashionable boutique establishment with award-winning, custom designed retro decor. The Pearl follows a "Down to Earth, Up with Style" motto, much like Strangman's other boutique inspired real estate developments in San Diego.
Strangman shares, "People are looking for an alternative so things at the Pearl are a little more unique." Every Wednesday at 8pm, friends, couples, and groups of all ages are drawn to the Pearl's signature event, "Dive-In" movies. The intimate poolside lounge transforms into a panache outdoor movie theatre that caters to your entertainment likings and your taste buds. At the Pearl, you can swim, eat, and drink, all while you catch a good flick. Films such as the stylish "Casino Royale," the light-hearted "Ratatouille," and irreverent "Pulp Fiction" can be viewed on the 10' x 13' movie screen above the pearl shaped salt water pool. "The guests, they love the salt water pool," says Strangman. "It's great for your skin, better for the environment, and it adds some personality that sets us apart from everybody."
All guests of the Pearl are welcome to enjoy the film and pool free of charge with any food or drink order. The Pearl offers a full-bar with creative concoctions as the Helluh! and Thai'd Down and wines from around the world. "I wanted the menu to feel global, but also kind of local. We have a small seasonal menu that has everything and each dish is under $20. We also have a great hamburger. It's a big seller.
I'll put our hamburger up against any hamburger in the city and we're gonna win. Our chef and sous chef are very prideful of the food they put out."
The poolside lounge has ample seating and the restaurant's main dining area offers a great view of the movie screen. Carrying on light conversation during the film is perfectly acceptable - guests and staff are all easy going. If you've had too many Helluh's to drink and aren't up to driving home, take advantage of the $79/night "Play and Stay" rate that kicks in at midnight. Restaurant specials on different days of the week include Sunday Brunch with a bottomless Mimosa for $20, "Bike to Brunch" for $10, and a Monday night chef's table for $10.
The personality of the Pearl further resonates through the music source Groove24/7, another one of Strangman's concepts consisting of an eclectic compilation of electronic, bossa nova, new jazz, and other slow-mid tempo lounge music sounds. Guests can enjoy new music throughout the hotel each time they visit and can even take the experience with them by tuning-in to Groove 24/7 online at their own leisure.
Strangman takes time to find inspiration in developing ideas like Groove24/7 by traveling. He shares, "A few times a year I go to New York
just to observe things. If I come out with one idea or two or three, the trip was productive. That's how the 'Dive-In' theatre idea came about."
"There's a lot of wonderful hotels in San Diego, but I don't feel like we have any direct competitors with the Pearl. Price point helps drive business so the emphasis I give my staff is: four star service on a two star budget," says Strangman. "Rosecrans and the Village in Point Loma
is very undervalued. Over the years, most establishments have been value based eateries and motor lodges. We need to turn this area into more of a destination. I've told the mayor and city council people there's no reason why Point Loma can't become like another Sausalito."
Converting Point Loma into a Sausalito-like destination is plausible given that a number of local business owners and developers for several years now, have been working on a plan with the Unified Port of San Diego to redevelop the Wharf at America's Cup Harbor by Shelter Island. The plan includes boat dock and parking improvements, creating a new public recreation area, and opening a conservative number of retail and dining establishments along the waterfront. Though plans remain in a dormant stage, the Real Estate division of the Port of San Diego is still accepting inquiries from developers interested in moving the project forward. The near-by arts district within the NTC Promenade, the former Navel Training Center, is another prime location with plenty of space available for more fine dining establishments, specialty shops, cafes, and arts and entertainment outlets that would help create the type of destination Strangman is talking about.
Strangman insists that fun plays a part in the L.W.P. Group workplace. The company philosophy is: "Enjoy Life, It Isn't a Dress Rehearsal." Strangman shares, "I asked one of my staff members to make a serious and a playful side of our company profiles... I must say, I wouldn't classify myself as a cheese aficionado as my profile describes, but
I do love cheese." Laughing, "I'm just glad I didn't get the profile with the candlelight dinners and moonlight walks on the beach. The guy that got that one was kinda bummed. He's a bit of a macho kinda guy."
Another company profile myth; Strangman's aspirations to someday produce a new production of Riverdance on a riverboat. An intriguing concept of course, but far fetched. "The Riverdance production... I don't know how they came up with that one. I support the arts, but I have no artistic ability myself. Zero. I'm a hospitality guy. I mentor kids from San Diego High School and the Academy of Finance and Business; I teach entrepreneurship to those kids. I think I succeed at that because I'm younger and those kids can relate to my energy."
The allure of the Pearl and popularity of Strangman's two night clubs, Thin and the Onyx Room in the Gaslamp, has triggered an ongoing interest in what Strangman brings to the San Diego community and an onslaught of opportunities for these three properties to appear as backdrops in photo shoots, music videos, film, and TV projects. Strangman humbly shares, "I don't do these developments to make more money. I'll take a compliment for making someones experience enjoyable over cash any day."
Strangman is a true visionary with an acute sense to act on his creative instincts as he did with creating San Diego's rare Pearl. On the horizon - a string of Pearls extending all the way to Palm Springs and Los Angeles. Beyond that, it depends on where inspiration leads Strangman next.