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Living Coast Discovery Center

Recently a bunch of friends went to Maui for vacation. I couldn’t go because of work but I was way jealous when they told me that they swimming with sea turtles on a snorkeling expedition.   It sounded so awesome!

As it turned out, a week later I was able to go to the Living Coast Discovery Center to view sea turtles myself.  So ha ha ha!  Well, actually it was only one turtle and never mind that it was behind a thick, smudged  piece of Plexiglas.   Also, too bad I was just sitting on a bench instead of swimming next to them in the warm crystal clear Hawaiian waters.   I guess I need to take back that ha ha ha.   However, we did have one thing in common, it WAS a sea turtle and I had never seen one up close before.

The sea turtle as well as many other animals can be seen at the Living Coast Discovery Center in Chula Vista, California. The center sits next to the San Diego Bay and is situated on the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. This nonprofit zoo and aquarium is home to many sea animals, birds, snakes, and much more.

A leopard shark in the main aquarium

Some of the animals are rescued because of injuries and other issues. As an example, the beautiful bald eagle we saw had an injured wing and couldn’t fly.   A cute little owl had eyesight only in one eye so it could now only survive with the help of the center.

The cute little half blind owl

Franklin the bald eagle, now I know why it is our national symbol

The facility is a great place for field trips or any educational programs. Volunteers walk around and show you some of the birds up close and give you information about them. We also were able to see Franklin the bald eagle being fed as well as the sharks and the turtle.

The bald eagle is normally a fish eater but they soon discovered he only likes dead rats. So watching him feed is not for the squeamish. At every exhibit there were crayons and paper for kids to draw and there was a scavenger hunt asking for participants to find certain species. There were kid’s crafts and interactive exhibits, making this a great family activity.

The facility isn’t huge and it won’t take up your whole day, so keep this in mind if you are ever looking for something to do.

I personally found the birds the most interesting. I have seen a bald eagle from afar but never that close and I was in awe of the massive sized owls.

A beautiful barn owl.

The center also features day camps, overnight adventures, kayaking, nature discovery tours, field trips, and walking trails through the wildlife refuge.

The view from the center

Here is an update from their website on the upcoming Turtle Lagoon:

*UPDATE* We are excited to announce we are enhancing Turtle Lagoon! The project will give the turtles more room to swim freely and add interactive elements to better educate visitors about these endangered sea turtles in the wild. The turtles are currently off exhibit, but they will be splashing into their new home in March 2016, upon project completion. 

So more turtles!!! Instead of going to Maui, I can save my money and just see them here.  Well, maybe not, there is that warm water thing and swimming next to them in their natural environment just can’t be duplicated.   I guess I’ll save my pennies for the next Hawaii trip.

For now… I’ll just go visit them at the Living Coast Discovery Center…and so can you!

6. Play and Laugh like a Kid

Whenever I go on a cruise, the one thing I tell my travel mates is that at some time on the cruise, I want to do something that makes me laugh like a kid.   That means doing something that is so fun that you actually giggle like when you were a child. The very first cruise I took, I felt that way as I sat on a rented banana boat that was being pulled behind a Sea Doo.   I was laughing so hard that I could barely hold on as the inflated banana flew across the water bouncing back and forth.   As we finished, I realized that I had gone back in time to my youth, to a simple time of fun and laughter…mission accomplished.

Children have no boundaries, no inhibitions. Sometimes as adults it would do us all good to go back to that feeling of pure joy and fun.

This week’s pictorial is about kids as well as adults having fun and enjoying life here in our back yard of California.

Sometimes it is the simplest things liking getting airborne on a swing at the beach, or riding a carousel, enjoying a Ferris Wheel, or any beach activity should do the trick.   Surfing, as an example can be enjoyed by all ages and with 840 miles of coastline, I think you can find a beach.

California has so many things to do to bring back your inner child. The obvious attractions are Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Legoland , etc. but what about your local carnivals, or arcades such as they have in Newport Harbor or Belmont Park in Mission Beach.

If anything else this year, try to find something that gives you the same joy and excitement that a kid would have. Laugh and giggle out loud…it does the soul good.

Young Parker laughs with delight on a bungee swing at an event at the embarcadero in San Diego

Surfing can be enjoyed young or old and all year round in California.

This Ferris wheel is right on the water in Newport Harbor

These kids were laughing and enjoying themselves all afternoon. I know this shot makes them looked bored but believe me they weren’t. (faces blurred intentionally) On the dock across from Coronado, San Diego.

This young girl was enjoying the sunset while surf fishing in Northern California

This picture is a perfect example of an adult laughing like a kid. Here 70 year old Joyce, (pink hat on left) is enjoying this excursion to its fullest on Kern River by Bakersfield.

50 year olds can still slide like the best of them.

Enjoyed by both young and old, a roller coaster is the perfect ride. This one is on Santa Monica Pier.

We are often told to slow down and enjoy life by stopping to smell the roses. Here, young Alina shows us how it is done at Seaport Village in San Diego.

There is nothing like a swing to take us back in time. This one is right on the beach in Ventura.

Belmont Park In Pacific Beach has rides and carnival type games. Here an adult and a child share the same joy in simple moment in time.

Bare feet on a warm summer day. I never had shoes on when I was a kid, I don’t know about you.

Photos and story: Debbie Colwell

5. Go to the Beach

We started off trying to find a few free and easy things to do in 2016 and, so far, we have previewed four with this being the fifth. From sunsets, to piers, to lighthouses, and harbors, this week we take you to the beach.

Surfboards and Stares:
When I was a teenager I surfed every day in the summer. Back in the late 60’s and early 70’s there weren’t that many girl surfers so when I walked out to the waves; I got a lot of stares.   People were curious about this young girl with a towel in one hand and a surfboard in the other. I am sure they were wondering if I was actually going to surf or if I was carrying it to someone.   Little did they know that at that time, surfing and going to the beach was a big part of my life.  It wasn’t until many, many years later that the old bones didn’t feel like working that hard and as a result, just swimming in the water would now become my preferred activity.  However, I was still at the beach!!

The Beach does Wonders for Your Soul:
California’s whole west side is home to the Pacific Ocean. Every type of beach adorns the coastline, from rocky shores, to cliffs, to sandy beaches, and national reserves.

Coronado Beach was named in the top 10 of California beaches.

A crispy fall day in southern California.

With one side of California graced by the Pacific Ocean, going to the beach is a daily activity for some.

I tried to get to the coast every chance I could get in my surfing days and still do.   For others it could be a fifteen minute drive, or an hour, or even more if you live deep into the inland of California.  Even at that, a weekend at the beach can do wonders for your soul.

Hundreds of thousands of people visit these Los Angeles Beaches in the South Bay in the summer.  No crowds on  this fall day right after a rain.

The Sounds and Smells:
When you visit the beach, get those sweaty shoes off and dip your feet in the water and feel the sand between your toes. Even if you don’t go fully into the water, at least do that.  Although it can get quite chilly in the winter, it still feels good to let the salty water soothe those tired feet.

There are no waves here in Long Beach because of the breakwater.

The first thing you notice about the beach is the wonderful scent of the ocean itself. Even from a few miles away, you can get your first hint of that fresh salty air if the wind is blowing just right.

Besides the aroma of the salt air, the fragrance of sunscreen is everywhere from Bain De Soleil to Coppertone.   In the distance you can hear seagulls calling out and there is nothing like the calming sound of the waves rolling on to the shore. Bring a book, a chair, a towel, then simply sit back and relax.

The view from your beach chair.

The activities at the beach are also endless, from football on the sand, to Frisbee throwing, surfing, bodyboarding, stand up paddling, bodysurfing, kite surfing, and even sand castle building.

Kite Surfing

The Sights:
Bring your camera for photo ops because pods of dolphins are frequent guests along the shore. On special occasions you can see them riding the waves or jumping out of the water.  Once instead of a dolphin riding a wave, I was amazed to see a seal actually bodysurfing.   You will see whales, flocks of pelicans, boats, waves, and much, much more.

A bodysurfing seal

On any given day, dolphins play in the surf.

The beach has it all, and except for parking and gas, it is all free!!!!

Surf City, Huntington Beach.

If you stay long enough, your day will end with a vibrant and colorful California sunset.

Trying to get some last minute waves before the sun sets

You can’t beat the beach; in fact I am going there right now. This time the towel is still in one hand but the surfboard has long been replaced by an oversized colorful umbrella and a beach chair.    I think I am safe from the stares.  I couldn’t be happier.

Photos and story: Debbie Colwell

 

Parting Shots:

Don’t forget the tide pools. Here they are at the Ocean Beach Pier.

An empty beach in Fort Bragg, California.

The view from the Wyland Gallery in Laguna Beach.

Pebble Beach on the “Seventeen Mile Drive”

A beautiful empty beach at Del Mar Beach, Camp Pendleton. Don’t let it fool you, just beyond is restricted military land.

Explore a Bay or a Harbor.

4. (Of 5 easy and free things to do for 2016)
I am a water person and grew up around boats so, naturally, I love bays and harbors. I have always wanted to live directly on a harbor; I am talking about looking out my window to an unencumbered view of the boats and water. I live near Oceanside Harbor which unfortunately has no residences bayside unless you want to count a house boat.

Oceanside Harbor

It is unlike where I grew up near Newport Harbor where homes sit right at water’s edge; however, THOSE homes are way out of my price range. It is too bad because I could easily live in Newport Harbor.

Newport Harbor. The Sidewalk goes all around Balboa Island.

For now I will settle for visiting one once in a while. Whenever traveling up and down the coast, I always like to stop at a harbor or marina just to explore the area. Usually there are restaurants and shops to investigate or rental places for boats, kayaks, and SUP’s.

Some have quaint village areas that appeal to visitors while others are just a serene little marina, allowing you to lazily stroll around and enjoy the peacefulness of the water. You go there to enjoy the sounds of lapping boats, the gentle clang of riggings, bell buoys in the distance, or seagulls calling out in the background. Pelicans often will fly by in their ‘V’ formation while seals can be heard barking from far away.

Coronado bridge in San Diego Harbor

Dana Point Harbor Entrance

These are nature’s ambient sounds and you don’t have to buy a CD or go to Itunes to hear them.

These sounds are free for all. You just need to have an open ear, and of course be there.

What you don’t hear, you see. Seals, pelicans, seagulls, and other sea birds all make a bay or a harbor their home.   On occasion, a pod of dolphins can even be seen exploring the harbor themselves. I saw a pod of about six enter the small harbor of Oceanside one time and as soon as they reached the end they turned around and headed back to open sea.

In certain areas like Morro Bay and Monterey Wharf, otter sightings are quite frequent.

Monterey

Morro Bay

An otter in Monterey

If it isn’t the sounds of nature, it could be the fun that is associated with harbors. There is a reason why so many boats, kayaks, and SUP’s are sold every year.

By foot or by boat, it is fun to stroll the marina and it is always amusing to read the clever boat names, such as, “Deeper In Debt,” “To Sea Oar Not to Sea,” or my favorite, “Grounds for Divorce.”

Boaters can make fun of themselves but, why do they care, they have a boat!!!!

If your local harbor doesn’t have any eating establishments, take your own lunch and park yourself on a bench or a grassy area.

I had only been to Marina Del Rey once in my life so I decided to take a Sunday drive up on a gray and cloudy day in winter. The quaint little village at first glance was dead with hardly a soul around. From the distance there was a faint sound of a live funk band playing dance hits from the eighties? As we turned the corner it was alive with people dancing, drinking, and having a grand old time. They didn’t care that it was an ugly day; they were enjoying the music and of course being at the harbor! Towards the end of the village, a wonderful bayside restaurant was buzzing with people enjoying what I am sure was a great meal. Even though it wasn’t a perfect day and summer was long gone, it goes to show that a harbor can be enjoyed all year in California.

Marina Del Rey on that gray and ugly day.

If you don’t mind crowds, there is a little marina area near Redondo Beach Pier that has tons of seafood restaurants, shops, and arcades for the kids. I have been there at many different times of the year and each time it is crammed full of people eating, flying kites, fishing, renting boats, or listening to live music that is also provided on weekend afternoons.

Redondo Pier Marina. Plenty of seafood

Kings Harbor near the pier

Another great area is, Shoreline Village in Long Beach. It is situated across the bay from the iconic Queen Mary and is a fun place to eat, drink, shop, or people and boat watch.

Shoreline Village and the Queen Mary

Panoramic of Shoreline Village

 

If quietude is your goal, it doesn’t get much quainter than Noyo Harbor which is a couple hours north of San Francisco in Fort Bragg.   This is a harbor that takes you back in time.   It is an active fishing port that also features an area for tourists.

Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg

From the enormous San Francisco Bay to the small and charming village of Oceanside Harbor, you can never go wrong visiting a harbor. They aren’t restricted to the ocean either, lakes have them too!   Try to visit one the next chance you have.

Like a beacon for all to enter San Francisco Bay, The Golden Gate bridge stands tall.

Even lakes have marinas, Big Bear Lake.

 

Oh, and if you see a little cottage for sale right on the water for under $300K , be sure and let me know.

Photos and Story: Debbie Colwell

 

 

Parting Shots:

Mission Bay with the roller coaster of Belmont Shores in the background.

Moss Landing in Northern California on a early gray morning.

Sleepy Oxnard Harbor

4.
Ventura Harbor

San Diego Bay and skyline

Alamitos Bay near Long Beach.

San Diego Bay across from Coronado

3. Watch a Sunset

 A Sunset is the one thing in life that is absolutely free. You may have to pay for parking if you are at the beach or pay a little gas to get to the coast, mountains, or desert. But the show itself is free!!

A pier always gives such a nice backdrop.

I love silhouettes against the orange sunset sky

Every sunset photo I have taken brings back a memory or tells a story. I have frequently sat at the beach to see the sun take its last breath for the day with the orange, red, and yellow light-show continuing on for at least an half an hour or more.

The sun is long gone in these two photos but the colors still hang on.

I can be many miles away from the coast and still enjoy the after show as colorful clouds shine brightly in the distance. The coast isn’t the only place to see a brilliant sunset; some of the best I have seen have been in the desert.

I have been lucky to have seen the illustrious green flash once in my life and later captured a tiny part of it on camera. One really gray night in Ventura I wasn’t going to take any photos but changed my mind. I was rewarded with a super cool sequence of odd shapes of the sun including a eerie looking mushroom cloud shape.

A lone person appears from the fog during a Central California sunset.

 

Wherever you live, take the time to enjoy the gift that was given to us to enjoy for eternity.

 

I know that wherever I am, and whatever I do, I will always try to watch a sunset at least once a week even if it is only a small glimpse in the distance.

The orange against the twilight sky and the sliver of a moon in the distance is still a beautiful sight no matter where you are.

Every sunset tells a story, here are some more of mine:

Military ships pass by where I live all the time with Camp Pendleton nearby. This looked more like a cargo ship.

Speaking of Camp Pendleton, on its Del Mar Beach, you can enjoy one while sitting in your own Palapa.

Even on a ugly and gray evening, the sun still managed to poke out for brief 20 seconds before disappearing again.

I never published this sunset until now. At the time, fires were raging in San Diego County, destroying many homes. The smoke from the fire made the sky look super red that night.

Malibu Beach. The sad part is, after this was taken, I drove off and the sky actually got brighter and more colorful!!  This could have been a way better photo 10 minutes later.   I never leave now for at least 30 minutes.

With a 300 telephoto you can make the sun look really big. In this photo you can barely make out the sun behind the pier but I like that effect.

I wanted to take this photo with nobody in front of the pier but this kid kept running into my shot. Then I watched him for awhile and he was having so much fun running in an out of the water and laughing and giggling like he had never seen the ocean.

It was fun to watch and made this sunset memorable to me.

A serene harbor is a great pace to watch the sun go down.

When I surfed, I saw a sunset almost everyday.