California Adventures - Day 3

I cant ever resist putting flowers in my hair

So, today we started out with yet another fabulous breakfast from our chef Paula at the inn. I chose the home made granola (SO good) and yogurt and fresh fruit. And before that she cooked fresh berry muffins that was honestly the best muffin I have ever had--on top of a raspberry campote. Then, we talked to some locals and got the down low on the best shopping so we headed to Mission Valley and shopped for a couple hours. Then, mom really wanted to go to San Juan Capistrano--the oldest church in San Diego still standing. Not really my thing, but she loved it and it did give me good photo opportunities.

 

 

Next, we headed down Pacific Coast Highway to hit the beaches. This is the scenic route to the beaches and it was incredible. We first stopped at Crystal Cove (below) and Laguna Beach. We had dolphins swimming literally just a couple yards off shore (mom thought it was a shark at first) but it was 4 or 5 dolphins and they swam around the whole time we were there. They are such fascinating creatures--I am totally a dolphin in another life.

 

 

 

Next, we went to Newport Beach and ate lunch. We didnt really explore much of Newport we just stopped real quick for food - the town was nice though.

Our last stop was Huntington Beach--Surf City. I ended up not surfing today because of our limited time but I guess Ill have hopefully all summer to do that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The view of Laguna from the car

 

 

 

Laguna Beach was by far my favorite beach and beach town. Lauguna was the most authentic to me-- Huntington is definitely a fun place and hot spot, but it is very commercialized compared to Laguna. Laguna could just take your breath away.

After the beaches, we headed back to San Diego. We knew we wanted pizza for dinner (which was good because we had a very healthy breakfast and lunch) so we asked some locals for truly San Diego's best pizza around. They said Bronx Pizza--it was a hole in the wall place (usually a good sign for good authentic food) but it was definitely some of the best pizza I have ever had.

After that we went to Seaport Village down by Harbor Drive and did some more shopping. Then, we went to San Diego's most famous place for desserts -- Extraordinary Desserts. It was overwhelming, you could barely get in the door but I chose a blackberry danish. It had a flower on top and edible gold encrusted on it. It was delicious.

Tomorrow, we will ofcourse start out with another amazing breakfast then go check out the Invisible Children Headquarters around the corner for a tour (if you dont know what is going on with them and Kony 2012 I suggest you look it up). Then, we might check out San Diego State (yay!) then we will head to the San Diego Zoo (hoping to see baby pandas born!) and in the later afternoon go to Balboa Park.

Time here is going by so fast, I dont want to leave. I really do love it. I still want to come back and visit San Francisco and see if I would like to live there. 

Oh yeah, we totally passed the National Cat Protection Society in Newport--I think that was the cherry on top of my reasons to move to Cali with my new-found love for cats--I would totally volunteer there.

California Day Adventures - Day 2, Part 1

So, we started out our morning with the most amazing breakfast at the Inn--smoked gorgonzolla eggs, rosemary potatoes, apple sausage, and terragon tomatoes. And we had a very fresh hand made berry scone that was out of this world. And great coffee of course. Then we headed to the Santa Monica Pier!

Our Breakfast Yummmm

Still cant get over how the mountains and ocean are right next to each other. Its amazing.

 

 

 

Next we headed to Venice beach! It was full of colors, diversity and muscle men ofcourse. 

 

 

 

 

This guy just decided to get in a picture with me. He was a super nice guy I shouldve asked if I couldve taken a picture of him.

My LA outfit for the day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at my next (older) post for the other half of our day

California Adventures - Day 2, Part 2

So, the last half our day was spent in LA. The first thing we did was eat at in-n-out burger--I explain more below. We explored the Kodak theatre, did some shopping (and people watching) then took a 2 hour tour of LA on an open air bus. We went all around LA, to some stars homes, Beverly Hills and Hollywood. It was such a great tour we just couldnt believe that the celebrities homes were right there on the curb. 

Best I could get of the sign

Skyline of LA

My favorite at Laurel Canyon: the Canyon Country Store. Jim Morrison worked there back in the good days and him, Janis Jopin, Jimi Hendrix, and The Mammas and The Pappas would all "socialize" at this store together. Pretty cool.

Towers where Elton John owns two condos--one for his adopted baby.

Simon Cowell's house-- looks like him to me.

David Arquettes home at the moment- him and Courtneys old house is up the street. But his house is just right up on the curb where you could go see all his cars. 

Ringo Starr's gate to his house :)

Then whaddayaknow Billy Bob Thorton strolled out of his garage and just started chatting with us. Asking where we were from, if we liked LA, and that he was talking his daughter on their afternoon butterfly walk. He has made celebrities seem a lot more "human" to me now- I was shocked.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland

Some of my favorite people. The Doors, the Olsen twins, Betty White and Robin Williams.

My very first IN-N-OUT Burger! I dont know if it tasted so good because I havent eaten a burger in over a year -- since I became a vegatarian and then stopped...burgers still creep me out. BUT this one was delicious!

Today we are heading to Laguna, Huntington and Newport Beach. We are going to crystal cove first. Depending on the weather and waves Ill surf or stand up paddle (my fave) in Huntington.