Staycations California

The Hills are Alive

After the much needed rain in California for a good part of winter, the flowers are now starting to bloom.   I am told that in some areas the hills are full of blossoms unlike anything that has been seen before.

The drenched earth is now providing an awesome display of color for our viewing pleasure.

I will be making my way to the desert on a jeep tour in about two weeks and I am hoping that the cactus flowers will still be in bloom.

However, for now, I was provided the directions to a few poppy fields in the Temecula and Lake Elsinore area and thought I would check it out for myself.

I was given advice to go super early in the morning to avoid the crowds and as a photographer we know the golden hours for taking photos is normally two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset.   I had an inner argument with myself on whether to get up early or continue my much needed sleep… sleep won.

So off to Temecula we drove at a much later start time and to an off-ramp that we were instructed to exit.

The first area wasn’t too far from the Clinton Keith off-ramp in Temecula and was like a big bright yellow beacon that we could see from the distance.

Continue reading “Poppy Fields”

Off the Beaten Path, North Oceanside Harbor

Oceanside Harbor isn’t exactly off the beaten path since it is quick exit from the busy Interstate 5.  As you leave the freeway and head towards the harbor you will reach a dead-end and have to go either right or left.   Going right, won’t get you very far as you will soon be greeted by an armed sentry asking you for your I.D. and what your business is on Camp Pendleton.  Officially called Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, this gate and parts of the base are just a chain-link-fence away from the harbor.   That is, a chained link fence with barbed wire!

So it is best to take a left into Oceanside Harbor where you will be greeted by a colorful lighthouse instead of a M16 rifle.  After you make that left turn you will be descending down a small hill and given one last choice to either veer left or right.

Heading left you will enter what they call Oceanside Harbor Village. This area hasn’t changed much through the years and still has that Cape Cod feel with its charming buildings and design.   Surrounded by the lighthouse, the village is an area filled with restaurants, novelty shops, rental places for boats, kayaks, or SUP’s and much more.   Here is also where you can charter boats, go on a whale watching trip, or a half-day fishing excursion.  This is the heart of the Oceanside Harbor.

A quaint coffee shop features music in the summer and a nearby ice-cream store serves up all of your favorite flavors.

Only a short walk away from the harbor is a large beach with plenty of sand and a popular surfing area.   This is where most of the action in Oceanside Harbor happens, where the tourists and locals go to eat, shop, and play!

Now, Off the Beaten Path:
If you chose to turn right at the bottom of the hill, you will be venturing a little off the beaten path to the quieter north side of the harbor.

The quieter side

This is a place you go to walk your dogs, fish, have a quiet picnic, chill out and watch the boats, or come for the sunset.

Continue reading “Off the Beaten Path–North Oceanside Harbor”

Off the Beaten Path—Valley Center, North San Diego Country

When you think of Valley Center in the North County of San Diego, you think of casinos!!   After all, this is where Harrah’s, Pauma, Valley View, and Pala all call home.  The hotels and casinos stand out like sore thumbs against the picturesque countryside in this serene valley.

After staying at one of the casinos for the weekend, we decided that on our way home we would take a few minutes and explore some of the “off the beaten path” roads in the area.

Valley Center is 27 square miles of rural land, agriculture, and a few homes here and there. It is also home to Bates Nut Farm, Palomar Observatory, Lakes Wohlford and Henshaw, and a 18-hole golf course.

It sits about forty miles north of San Diego and can be accessed a few different ways but most notably 76 Freeway off of Interstate 15.

The hills, fields, and countryside always remind me of a valley I knew in Hawaii, minus the waterfalls, palm trees, the rich green countryside, but other than that…

However, after much rain in the winter, the hills and meadows were filled with the most vibrant green that challenged anything I have seen in Hawaii, if I squinted I could almost see the Wailua Valley on Kauai, well almost.

Cruising on the 76 Freeway we saw a road that headed into the hills so we decided to explore this first.

Continue reading “Off the Beaten Path—Valley Center, North San Diego Country”

Harrah’s Resort San Diego

When I was offered a chance to go see the Penn and Teller show at Harrah’s Resort, I jumped at the opportunity considering that I’m a long time fan of magic. When I was a kid, I had every magic kit possible and I h Continue reading “Harrah’s Resort San Diego”

 

A few things to do in San Diego this weekend:

Top Things to Do in San Diego – February 14-20, 2017