Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Coastal Connections

Day 2-San Diego to San Clemente

We brake for sea lions and there were plenty to be seen at various vista points all along the coast. Before leaving La Jolla we walked down to the beach to watch the sea lions and seals playing in the ocean and lounging on the nearby rocks. 

I read that sea lions are the ones who bark, seals make more of a grunting sound. Regardless, they're both so entertaining to watch and do not seem stressed at all. It's the weather here I'm pretty sure. 

Our next stop was about an hour down the road in the seaside town of San Clemente. Our friends kindly loaned us use of their condo for two nights and we spent most of that time on the beach. 

It may seem like I talk a little too much in these recaps about the weather and the food, but those two things do feature heavily in a drive up the coast. We had dinner on the boardwalk in San Clemente that first night, where we ate fresh fish and marveled at people swimming in the chilly Pacific. 

Sunday morning we had a wonderful breakfast in a sidewalk cafe (La Galette Creperie) before taking a long walk on the beach (see we didn't just eat!). 

We loved watching the surfers and were most impressed by a guy on a paddle board in the breaking waves. The waves here roll and crash and his balance was incredible. 

I posted a picture on Facebook while we were in San Diego and one of my very first blog friends saw it there, and commented on how close I was to her home. I looked at her page and realized she actually lived in San Clemente, so we made plans for a quick meet up before we both had other engagements we needed to get to. 

She knew the area and I told her to bring her husband (sometimes husbands don't understand the blog connection lol) and the four of us spent a really nice hour catching up in person. Facebook gets a bad rap, rightfully so most of the time, but these real life connections that happen thanks to social media are so special. Also carpe diem everyone and cheers to those who do!

One of the highlights of our entire trip would definitely be the day we spent with some long time friends in their lovely home in the nearby town of San Juan Capistrano. The mister and my hubs worked together for decades and we were way overdue for some real life face time. 

They took us in to Dana Point and we walked along the coast road in Laguna, a trail that runs along and just above the ocean. 

Beautiful! 

Maybe this is why people live here?

We wrapped up the day with dinner all together at a well known Mexican restaurant called South of Nicks. So much fun!! 

Our trip up the Pacific Coast Highway was made up of a thousand small special moments. This was one of our favorites. 

10 comments:

  1. Love a trip with good human connections, too!

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  2. It looks like such a fun time. I loved going back and reading your Northern California road trip, since we are headed there at the end of the month.

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    1. I think I may have enjoyed the northern route a little bit more. It's hard to top the Redwoods. Are you going in to Oregon? The coast of Oregon is simply stunning, one gorgeous view after another. Enjoy your travels!

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  3. What a gorgeous place! So glad you had time with friends and also the seals and sea lions. The food looks really good too.

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  4. I love reading about your travel adventures -- what fun to connect with folks along the way!

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  5. I sure love your photos, Joyce, and that you got to meet another blog friend!! Talking about husbands not getting it, I was blessed that Joe loved meeting my blogging friends and their husbands (when they came along). Real friendships are formed here! I guess the wedding will be coming up in another post, so I'm looking forward to that!! xo

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  6. Just catching up on your posts Joyce. Glad the elbow doesn't need surgery and hope you're not in too much pain. Love hearing about your trip. Looking forward to the next instalment.

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  7. Yes, the sea lions have definitely taken over the one beach. It's always fun to see them. It all sounds so perfect. Your breakfast looks delicious. How awesome to meet your blog friend and how wonderful to meet up with hubs friend too! I'm so glad you had such a nice time.

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  8. First off these photos are just beautiful! BUT I love that you peppered your trip with all these wonderful friend connections too.

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  9. How nice to meet up with your friends!

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