On our second and last day in San Diego (and final day of the trip) we did a mini road trip along the coast! We drove through Del Mar and Encinitas and explored the beach towns. This was so much fun and the weather was gorgeous!
We popped into Whole Foods for a quick bite to eat along the way:
I don`t know what was better, the meal, or when we realized how much cheaper the Whole Foods bar is compared to here in Ontario. Our bill was at least 40% less than it normally is. Tears of joy, tears of joy.
I didn’t do a great job documenting our road trip, but the sights were beautiful.
Maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t attempt many pics…those “shooting from the car pictures” never seem to pan out! I try to take a shot of the ocean and all I get is a concrete highway median.
We made it back for the sunset in La Jolla again! This time we took pictures from the beach (instead of up on the cliff) and we had a totally different perspective.
Om.
I told you the people here are chill.
After relaxing in the hotel room for a bit, we drove to Encinitas to try out The Lotus Cafe that we came across earlier in the day.
Similar to Rancho’s, Lotus cafe offers a wide variety of omnivore, vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan options. If only more restaurants made it this easy! I immediately loved the menu in this cafe. Check out the legend…
After discovering our obsession for vegan nachos the night before, we had to try the vegan nachos at Lotus made with organic blue corn chips topped with vegan cheese, salsa, and guacamole.
The nachos were great, but Rancho`s still has the win!
Eric ordered the lasagne made up of spinach pasta, ricotta cheese, fresh veggies, and marinara sauce. He said it was great.
I wanted something spicy to warm me up, so I ordered the Indian Curry Bowl made up of fresh steamed veggies with an Indian curry sauce served over organic brown rice. It was light, low on the oil, and fresh, but it wasn’t as spicy as I expected it to be. It could have used a bit more curry in my opinion. All in all though, it was a nice light meal and a nice change up from a few heavy ones while traveling!
As we were finishing up our meal, this beautiful California girl walked up to us and introduced herself as Sarah, an avid blog reader. Small world! Sarah if you’re reading this please shoot me an email as I have a question for you…I’m not as awkward over email, I promise. ;)
Since my meal was so light there was obviously room for their vegan dessert bar.
This vegan peanut butter chocolate fudge cupcake was anything but light, but it was the perfect ending to our vacation. The peanut butter frosting was so buttery and not super sweet. A great way to end the trip!
Our stay in California was short and sweet, but that just means we’ll have to go back soon! Thanks to everyone who provided us with suggestions on what to see and do. We actually got home last weekend (and were already gone before I posted), so we’ll have to take you up on your suggestions next time.
When I got home, I edited some of my favourite photos in HDR format (high dynamic range imaging) which is when image files of differing exposures are merged together. The HDR format is new to me, but very fun to learn. I set my DSLR so it took 3 pictures at once (one at –2 exposure, one at normal exposure, and one at +2 exposure) and then post-processing I merged the images together. It creates a fun 3-D effect and works great for travel photos.
Anyways, here are some of my favs!
NYC:
Love love love the 3-D look of this one:
San Diego:
I’m hoping to create a few more and frame some of them.
Have a great Friday!
your pictures are beautiful! you should think about selling prints
Thank you Anne!
wow, those are really beautiful pictures. they really jump off the screen. glad you liked the states!!
Neat pictures! I’m going to have to check it out on my camera.
Wow, those HDR images are incredible! I need to try that but it’ll be tricky since my camera doesn’t have multiple exposure mode. I wish my friend was more well-versed in SD’s vegan spots when I visited, I need to go back!
I’ve never even heard of that type of processing, I’m SO impressed. I absolutely love the look of them. What program is that editing under, photoshop?
Thanks Katie! Im trying a free trial with Photomatix
Those shots are amazing! Did you have a particularly good book that teaches about that format or was it just learn as you go?
I can’t believe WF is so much cheaper in the US than up here – no fair lol! If I go to Cali I’ll stuff my face silly at the WF bar ;)
I just looked it up online (there are tutorials online)…after reading the comments, I might have to give one on the blog since there is so much interest!
Those pictures look awesome!
Your pictures in HDR format are absolutely stunning! And the vegan cupcake looks delicious!
Those photos really sucked me in. The HDR images are kind of mesmerizing. And how cool is that tall, twisted tree?
I’m envious of your vacation. I think it’s time to plan one of my own. Somewhere tropical would be nice… :)
I love places with helpful menu icons like that! Makes dining out sooo much easier when I know I won’t be feeling pain afterwards.
The cupcake looks delish! Definitely the perfect end to an amazing trip. Although, I’m sorta scared to know how much you usually spend at Whole Foods if you saved 40% by shopping in the states!
Wow, what a cool feature!!!
Wow! Those HDR photos are REALLY cool. I wish I would have known about this when I went to Paris.
Loved reading your recaps of your trip to my city! Your photos really capture how beautiful it is- I’m from the east coast and I’m still in awe that I live in SD even after 4 years! You were able to visit all the best places and basically hit up all my favorite spots to eat! Hope to catch you next time you are in town for a visit!
Thank you, that would be wonderful :)
Angela, those pictures are AMAZING! Wow! You could sell these as prints!!!!!!!!!
These pictures are GORGEOUS!! Especially love the last New York 3D one.
Lotus Cafe is pretty yummy! Encinitas has a ton of good cafes and restaurants!!
Love the last photos! The cupcake sounds fantastic :D
I’ve loved your SD visit updates. I used to live down there and work in La Jolla. The pictures take me back to my lunch time walks along the ocean watching the waves crash and the seals play. Thanks for the flashbacks :-)
Oh man that would be the best lunch break ever heh
I cannot believe you came to San Diego, nevertheless Encinitas! That is where I am from! And I go to Lotus all the time, and love the new Whole Foods they put in on 101 :) Glad you enjoyed your trip!
Lucky girl! :) We just loved it
Always room for dessert! ;) Great pics – those are really neat!
im glad you enjoyed SoCal. I live in LA, and mom lives in Encinitas where the Lotus Cafe is. They are bringing more vegan places there including a native foods soon, which is awesome because whenever I visit the Lotus Cafe is the only place I can get 100% veganness! Next time hit up LA! We have loads and loads of vegan places!
hey Emily, It’s funny you say that because we’re planning on doing LA and surrounding coastal areas next time. Im so pumped to see more! What is Native foods? Googling…