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.
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…and back to the beach!
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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 :)
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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?
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meep meep!!!
These guys were a bit more chilled out and wondering what the commotion was all about…
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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!
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After booting it about 10 minutes, we finally made it to the look out point for a sunset pic. :)
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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.
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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.
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A peek inside Rancho’s fun decor.
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The restaurant has meat, vegetarian, and vegan options…and I even think some gluten-free options too.
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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!
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
What.The.Hell. You all are (were?) here in SD, and even RIGHTDOWNTHESTREETFROMME (at Rancho’s. I live at the end of 30th street a few blocks from there.). Surreal to see pics of my favorite places on your blog. Also it cracks me up that you said the weather is good, because we’ve all been complaining like a bunch of wussies. ;) Glad my hometown treated you well! :)
Just came in from the first ice climbing day of the season only to see your warm beach shots. Wish I could just jump between the two climates with a twitch of my nose.
PS took your Last Minute energy bars. Delish!
Wonderful pics! The Mr wants to learn to surf and probably will in Hawaii. I’m hoping to do kiteboarding eventually.
Yu totally deserve a vacay and I’m glad your having a great one!
You won’t happen to be coming to LA, will you? We have some great vegan places. ;) Please?
That Mexican food looks so good! I really miss good Mexican, it’s near impossible to find in Sweden, even the ingredients to make it yourself are hard to find – my kingdom for a can of chipotle peppers!
It’s so funny how you’ve been to really cool places that I have never heard of yet I am from there. Although I live up north from there in San Diego. It’s interesting seeing a tourists perspective, because a lot of local (including myself) don’t always realize how lucky they are to live in such a beautiful place.
Thanks for sharing your photos of your trip. I’ve been to San Diego once and I just loved it! I try to make the LA Area at least once a year! It sounds like your having a blast!!
Omg, Cali is so beautiful! Seriously, those views put the Jersey shore to shame! Oh well… living in PA will keep me going there haha. I guess I can’t be too sad since I still have a beach close enough.
I’ve never been to SD, I’ve only visited LA and the surrounding areas… I need to get back out there, your pics are amazing!
Your pictures are gorgeous!
I believe the bird is a sandpiper. There are multiple varieties so I’m not sure which variety.
:^)
Angela – I live in San Diego and seeing your pictures and appreciation for our town inspires me to get out and enjoy it even more! Thanks for sharing your trip and pointing out some great places for even us locals to try! You should definitely try surfing sometime; I like to tell people I am “learning” even though i have been learning for 7 years now! No difference, still a great thrill everyone should at least try. And plus, I don’t think a vegan would be very tasty to a shark, so you should be safe! Safe Travels!
Did you take up everything cali had to offer medicinal wise?? ;) I hear they have good vegan treats!
I’ve been reading your blog for forever it seems, but when I saw you were here visiting my home, made me want to say hello! My hubby and I had our Thanksgiving dinner at the Hotel Del, it was amazing. Loved your pix!
AH! I loved seeing your pics. I use to live in SD and Rancho’s was one of my favorite restaurants. I lived in Ocean Beach and was right around the corner from Ranchos. Mmm. Now I’m craving Mexican. Too bad there is nothing near as good in CT.
So I live in Texas, and there are so many Mexican restaurants….. and it is not easy to create vegan food there. Most places use chicken stock to cook the rice and I’ve even found places that put cheese or cream in the beans. Just a heads up on that one. Also I’ve always called the fast little birds sandpipers… I spent a good deal of my childhood chasing them down beaches in Florida.