After our energizing lunch at Lean and Green Cafe, we explored downtown La Jolla and all of its of shops and cafes. Very cute and laid back!
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Then, we headed over to a popular look out point in La Jolla with 360 views of the city and surrounding area.
…and back to the beach!
We realized the sun was about to set, so we raced over to the ocean to try and get some pictures before the sun went down. Sunset lighting is a photographer’s dream! Everything glows :)
There were these cute little birds that we called ‘roadrunner’s’ because they would SPEED RUN across the sand…I’m pretty sure they could outrun me! Anyone know what kind of bird this is?
meep meep!!!
These guys were a bit more chilled out and wondering what the commotion was all about…
There were so many surfers out taking advantage of the waves and lots of women surfers too. So bad ass. I would love to learn to surf, if I could get over my shark fear!
After booting it about 10 minutes, we finally made it to the look out point for a sunset pic. :)
By sunset, there were a ton of seals on the shore and on the rocks. At least 100 or more. It looked like they were retiring for the night! It’s so cute how they all snuggle up close with one another.
After watching the sunset, we headed back to the hotel and decided where to go to dinner. We decided on a Mexican place called Rancho’s.
A peek inside Rancho’s fun decor.
The restaurant has meat, vegetarian, and vegan options…and I even think some gluten-free options too.
We started with the organic blue corn nachos with black beans, guacamole, pico de galo, and Daiya cheese. Both of us quickly claimed them to be the BEST NACHOS EVER! Quite a claim, I know. If you overheard us you would have instantly thought we were nuts because we could not stop talking about them.
Can you see how the nacho chips are flakey and layered?? They were incredible!
I think we managed to eat about half and then had to stop eating so we wouldn’t ruin our appetite!
Eric ordered the chicken and beef enchiladas for his main:
And I ordered the vegan enchiladas with green, mole, and red sauce. One was packed with avocado, another with roasted eggplant, and another with beans.
Don`t judge a book by its cover. ;)
We couldn’t get over how huge the portions were! I could barely finish half my plate.
I must say, this picture wins for OSG food photo of 2011.
Eric said I should submit it in a photo contest, heh.
If that picture doesn’t make you want to eat there, I don’t know what would.
We finished the night with a lil nightcap!
Biscotti Giveaway Winner
A big congrats goes out to Stephanie W for winning the biscotti giveaway! Stephanie, I have emailed you to collect your info. Congrats!
ahh, that Mexican food looks sooo good! Other than the mole lol.. mole is definitely not my favorite.. but everything else, I’ll take it :)
Love the sunset shots!
Your photographs are GORGEOUS!!!! I especially love the ones of the birds :)
So glad you enjoyed Cali!!!! We spent a day in LA/Santa Monica when we were on a Vegas vacation in October and we loved it. We’ll definitely be heading back there for a full vacation of exploring the Cali coast!
PS – I definitely hear ya on the shark fear – I’d love to surf but I’d be terrified :-S
Beautiful sunset and snuggly seal pics! We’ve been planning a west coast trip so your updates from Cali are making me antsy. And yeah Mexican food = brown city. But so, soooooo good.
I have a big fear of sharks too, so whenever I get a chance to go on vacation on the coasts I don’t enjoy my time in the water as much as I should… some day we’ll conquer our fear!
i love mexican food!! everything looks so stunning and wow! i can’t believe they serve meat, vegetarian and vegan! impressive!
No matter how colorless, dark and grainy those photos of the enchiladas looked….I still wanted to eat them!!! lol And the nachos too. Man…..I’m really craving some mexican food now!!
Looks delish!
Once again, the photos are SO breath taking! You really know how to sell San Diego- and I must plan a trip there! Between that and traveling to NYC, you are one lucky lady!
BTW- I’m going to NYC today and staying through Saturday, and I was looking through your posts for restaurant recommendations. I really only get to choose one meal while we’re there (lunch tomorrow) because dinner both nights is taken care of, and I bring my own breakfast to pinch pennies. It’s definitely between Cafe Blossom and Candle Cafe- I want that burger that your hubby had! :)
I didn’t make it to Candle Cafe but I heard great things about it…I dont think you can go wrong! have fun my dear!
Love it all. Thanks for sharing. Regarding Mexican food and mole sauce in particular, the absolute BEST (seriously) mole sauce is in New Hope, PA at a little place called The Blue Tortilla. everything is freshly made right there. (I have no affiliation with the place. Just love to visit there when we go for a weekend from Maryland). Their mole will win over anyone who previously didn’t like. (It got my attention). I wish I could get it just right at home, but they do sell it bottled. It contains banana! So, next time you’re on the east coast of USA, spend a day in New Hope/Lambertville (not very far from NY City). Fantastic restaurants, shops, places to stay…..and mole at the Blue Tortilla. I am so glad I discovered your blog and recipes, Angela.
Good to know Tricia! Anyways with banana is a winner in my books.
Oh my god, those enchiladas! Just looking at them makes me hungry. They look soo gooooood.
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That beach looks like a dream right now…I am not a big fan of snow! Also, the food looks yummy!
I’m dying about that Mexican food!!!! The first surfing photo is my favorite of the bunch. What a gorgeous place!! I visited once, but only for a few hours. So glad you guys got to romp around the states for awhile!! How fun. :)
Some day I will show you how to take Mexican Food pictures, don’t you worry. bahah
Looks so beautiful!!
You should come to Vancouver Island and go to Tofino – the surfing there is awesome – and no sharks!! There is a company called surf sisters that caters to girls that want to surf!! We just usually rent our board and gear and go! It’s super cheap and soooooooooooo fun!!!
That sounds amazing Jess! I will have to come visit you :)
I love that picture of you in silhouette. It’s so simple and beautiful. I bet your mom would ADORE a small framed one. Just sayin.
Thanks :) She actually did ask for a few trip pictures framed!
oh man, these photos almost made me cry. My husband and I just moved from San Diego to the suburbs of Washington D.C. and I miss that place so much. We used to live walking-distance from Ranchos. So delicious…and one of our favorite dinner spots. We used to visit the seals on Saturday mornings. Drinking a latte and watching seals be goofy…a great way to start the weekend. It’s also one of the best places for a long run. Training for a marathon out here is nothing like running back home.
I am so jealous you were there for a few days. I have beach-envy like crazy..
PS – go surfing! Shark attacks are like car accidents. They happen, but you drive anyways, right? And the thrill of riding your first wave is totally worth it.
Ah I love that, I want to go back right now! Good point about the car accident thing…Im sure it’s much more risky to get into a car each day then in the ocean…
mmm I want those nachos!
Yup, sandpipers. They’re quick on their little legs, eh?
Beautiful shots. I went to SD for a conference once and loved it, though I had just a weeny bit of time to check it out. Visited the Hotel del Coronado like you guys did, and of course watched the surf. Most of the rest of the time was spent in the convention hall. :-( We went in Feb. (from Ontario), so the weather was a great break from the snow. I’ve heard it’s around 72 degrees much of the time there. Nice.
I always find that mexican restaurants are the easiest non-vegan restaurants to create a vegan meal! Rice, beans, guacomole… so simple!