Staycations California

Sunday Drive-Lake Hodges and Del Dios Highway

I was surprised when we visited Lake Hodges on a very warm spring day that there were only about 5 boats out on the water.   We were told the fishing was bad so I can understand the lack of fishing vessels but it is a nice sized lake that seemed perfect for taking the boat out for a spin just for fun.

We had fished along the shore before and although we didn’t catch anything, we saw about five huge fish being caught some 100 feet down the shore from us, so we knew the fishing can at times be good.  They told me that the water was murky and at a high level so that accounted for some of the  lack of activity. Normally you can catch crappie, bluegill, carp, catfish, and largemouth bass.

The rainy California winter may not have helped the fishing but it certainly splashed the landscape with green hills and colorful flowers.  On almost every drive we have taken in the last few months it has been like that.   Amazing what a good pounding of rain will create later.

Lake Hodges is a lake and reservoir located about 30 miles north of San Diego and just south of Escondido off of Interstate 15.  It has a maximum depth of 115 feet and has about 27 miles of shoreline.

Far above the lake from Del Dios Highway

The lake is open seasonally from February through October on Weds, Saturdays, and Sundays.   Gates are open a half an hour before sunrise and lock at sunset.  There is a concession store and a place to rent rowboats, motor boats, and kayaks as well as ramps to launch your private boats.

If you feel like just hanging around for the day, there is grassy area with picnic tables and designated barbecues that are all close to the store.    There seemed to be plenty of parking places in the large lot but I don’t know how crowded it gets in summer.

A grassy picnic area

Continue reading “Sunday Drive-Lake Hodges, Del Dios Highway, and Rancho Santa Fe”

Ortega Highway

On a whim, we decided to drive up the Ortega Highway from a starting point at Lake Elsinore on a warm spring day.   I had been on this road before and I knew that the first part would take you high above the lake while twisting through hairpin turns on your way back down to San Juan Capistrano in Orange County.  It is not relaxing for the driver during the highest portion; you really have to keep your eyes on the road especially since it has been dubbed one of the most dangerous roads in California. However, there were plenty of vista points that allowed you to pull over to enjoy the scene below.

On one of the viewpoints it was exactly as I remembered with its breath-taking 180 degree views of the lake and the snow capped mountains far in the distance.    I decided that I was just going to enjoy the day and keep the images in my head instead of the camera.  So I hope my words do this beautiful drive justice.

SR 74 travels 29 miles along the San Juan Creek  and through the Cleveland National Forest.   Each weekday about 7,000 cars travel back and forth between Lake Elsinore and Orange County and a good portion of those are commuters.

This area was picturesque because of the rain drenched meadows and hills that were unusually green this time of year.   The vibrant colors made it even more spectacular and even though it may be more brown and dryer in summer months,  I still think it will be impressive.   Once you pass through the winding road and S-turns of the higher altitude, it is smooth sailing.    Now you can relax and enjoy the country side.

The road was built in 1929 and you could tell in certain parts by the old cement walls and bridges.  They looked weathered; however, to me that just added to the history and charm.   The highway is an especially popular road for motorcyclists because of the scenery and the road itself is a fun challenge.

So it is of no surprise as you come into the little village of El Cariso that the local restaurant had dozens of motorcycles parked out front.   El Cariso with its small population of a little over 200 also features a general  store and a candy shop a little bit away.   Since we were just driving through, we didn’t get out of the car to explore the village but we figured by the amount of visitors that this was a popular place to stop and have lunch.  With further research I found out that the Hell’s Kitchen restaurant is indeed a popular place for the biker crowd and also features a bar plus an outdoor patio that overlooks the road.

Across the street sits Patty’s Place Country Store which has some of the best beef jerky that you will find and a fact that I wish I had known at the time instead of learning about later.  The candy shop also serves as a general store with half its contents being candy and the other half being toiletries, camping gear, etc.

Continue reading “Sunday Drive–Ortega Highway”

Florida and Hawaii got the most but California received 5 mentions. I think we have way more than that but I am biased.

http://www.placesyoullsee.com/25-best-beaches-in-the-united-states/3/

By Land and By Sea

Sometimes it is fun to play tourist even if it is only 30 minutes from where you live.  I had heard about the Seal Tour in San Diego Harbor many times and always wanted to try it.

So Staycationer JoJo  put on her reading glasses and searched her trusty Groupon for a few tickets.   Done…booked…ready to go!

On a typical gray cloudy day in Southern California we headed down to Sea Port Village to give it a try. Luckily the sun popped out right before boarding so we knew the ride would be a little less nippy

The SEAL  is an amphibious vehicle  that can drive on the street as well as the water. SEAL is an acronym for “SEa And Land.”  It holds about 40 people comfortably and looks like a huge safari truck with a boat front.

Once you board the vehicle,  it takes you through the streets on your way to a boat ramp on  Shelter Island.  As mentioned, the street ride was a little breezy as the vehicle was wide open and we were going at least 45 miles an hour.  So take a jacket or a sweatshirt unless it is summer.

Riding along the harbor on the SEAL

The Captain drives the vehicle while the first mate acts as a guide/narrator for the trip. Equipped with a microphone, the guide gives you informative tidbits about the city, the embarcadero, various attractions, the bay, etc.   As you pass by the embarcadero you will see the sailing ship “The Star of India”, the “Midway” air craft carrier, other naval ships, a submarine, and of course the beautiful harbor.  You will pass by the Coast Guards Naval Station and the San Diego Airport on your way to the water portion of the tour.

First Mate/Guide/Narrator Jack

Our guide was extremely entertaining and interacted with us during the 90-minute ride.  He was extremely entertaining and interacted with us during the 90-minute ride. He was a skilled narrator, mixing humor in with historical facts and information about what we saw along the way. Some of the passengers were from as far away as England and Canada

Once we reached Shelter Island we headed to the boat ramp and waited our turn to enter the water.

It was an easy transition from the street to the water and other than slowing down, you wouldn’t notice the difference. Actually being on the water was way smoother until  the speed boats caused a wake that rocked the boat a little.

Slowly we moved around the bay and soon the clouds parted to display the beautiful San Diego Harbor in all its glory.

Continue reading “San Diego SEAL Tour”

Off the Beaten Path-Old Town Temecula

On a rainy day in early March we decided to take a drive to Temecula on the recommendation from a friend about a Rod Run taking place in Old Town. As it turned out we missed it by a day but we decided to investigate Old Town anyway.

The Town of Temecula became all the talk when the housing market was robust in California. The homes in that area were so inexpensive that people were snatching them up and commuting to their work in San Diego, Riverside, or Orange County. Along with a boom in housing, the area also grew. New shopping malls came in, new developments, etc. It seemed to become this bustling city with too many cars, too many people, too many stores!
However, if you peel away those layers, you will find an interesting and historic area to explore and visit.

Temecula is well known for its Temecula Valley Wine Country, Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival, and Temecula Valley International Film Festival, and many more events and festivals in Old Town. The Pechanga Indian Casino is also located inside of the city as well as championship golf courses, resorts, and new shopping centers.

In Old Town there are car shows, western celebrations, entertainment, and a variety of many other festivals.
On this cold Sunday, the rain didn’t keep the crowds away as the street was filled with cars and the sidewalk full of shoppers.

The main street of Old Town has an abundance of restaurants that accommodate almost every food type and style. From sushi to Mexican cuisine you are not at a loss to find a great place to eat. Don’t ignore the side streets either as you might find a hidden gem of a store or eatery that is just off the beaten path.
There are also wine tasting rooms, antique shops, boutiques, art galleries, and even a museum that features all of Temecula’s treasures.
The western theme can be seen in the architecture of some of the buildings and in several spots the sidewalks are wooden planks adding to the feel of the old west.

Continue reading “Off the Beaten Path: Old Town Temecula”