May 1, 2017 - SoCal Beaches - Dana Point and San Clemente Beaches

Sorry folks, we posted yesterday's blog late yesterday - hear is the link!
April 30, 2017 - Shopping Sunday and Chaplin's Birthday!

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 22 DAYS

SoCal Beaches

Hello all!
You guys, I'm so happy today.  I have such a great week ahead and you know how crazy I am - I love Mondays and the start of a new week!!

As you may have noticed, Tanya leaves tomorrow for Hawaii!!  I'm SO JEALOUS!!

I have to get there within the next two years, no question! Those beautiful beaches!!

I thought today since I have Hawaiian beaches on the brain...and since Tanya spent her day at Doheny State Beach in SoCal yesterday, I would complement the "beach talk" with a bit about a few of the SoCal beach towns in the Orange County area.

​As someone who grew up on the beaches of Long Island, I just LOVE everything about the beach...the sand, the smell of the sea air, the salt in the air, the sound of the waves hitting the shore...and, of course, the water!

There is just something so peaceful and life affirming about the beach.  If you are like me, you know what I'm talking about.  

California has some of the most gorgeous coastlines in the world, with absolutely lovely beaches!  

Tanya and gang spent their Sunday yesterday, in celebration of her niece Chaplin's birthday, at Doheny State Beach, located in Dana Point, California.  Dana Point beaches are among the finest in the world. 

The City of Dana Point is characterized by its seven miles of prominent coastal bluffs and scenic rolling hills along the Pacific Ocean.

Within Dana Point there are several lovely beaches.  These include Doheny State Beach, as mentioned above, Salt Creek Beach, Monarch Beach, Dana Strand Beach, Baby Beach, Poche Beach and Capistrano County Beach.  

Let's take a look at three of these:

Capistrano Beach

Capistrano Beach (credit: ocexecutives.com)

Also known as Capo Beach, it is part of the city of Dana Point in Orange County, California. It is bordered by San Clemente to the south and Doheny State Beach to the north.

Along the scenic stretch of coast in south Dana Point, Capistrano Beach offers volleyball, basketball, cycling, and other beach activities. During the summer months, a concession stand offers fishing gear, food and beverages, and beach supplies. 

Doheny State Beach ​

Doheny State Beach (credit: tripadvisor.com)

One of California’s most popular beach facilities boasts with 62 acres of open space, Doheny offers camping, picnicking, swimming, surfing, bicycling, and tide pool exploration.

With over 2 million visitors annually, Donheny features over one mile of sandy coast and some of the best swimming and surfing in California.

​During low tide, tide pools are perfect for exploring. A campground features 121 developed family campsites and the picnic area has 170 picnic tables and 99 barbecue grills.

Salt Creek Beach

Salt Creek Beach (credit: californiabeaches.com)

Considered one of the best beaches in the state of California, Salt Creek Beach is a popular surfing location and this small, offshore reef creates some of the best left swells along the entire shoreline. Swimming, body surfing, sunbathing and tide pool exploration provide fun for everyone.

The park consists of sandy beaches, rocky promontories, and sheer cliffs. The original ravine canyon locally known as Salt Creek, forms the northerly boundary of the beach. Grading and landscaping have been completed in such a manner as to blend with the natural features, leaving the beach and cliff area basically undisturbed.  


Nearby is San Clemente, California, located within Orange County and another area known for some of the nicest beaches around.
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There are many beaches along the coastline in San Clemente stretching from the north to the southern area of the city near San Onofre. 

San Clemente is also home to a number of beach trails, perfect for biking and walking and they are dog friendly so your furry loved one can accompany you on your walks along the path! (Sorry, they are not allowed on the beach itself.) 

The San Clemente Beach Trail extends 2.3 miles from the trailhead at North Beach to the end at Calafia State Beach.​

North Beach

North Beach, San Clemente, CA (credit: sanclementeguide)

This northernmost beach in San Clemente gets its name from the location. North Beach is located across the railroad tracks at the Metrolink station​ and across the tracks from the historic Ole Hanson Beach Club.

North Beach is also referred to as "Pico" by the locals because it is at the end of Avenida Pico.  It is a long, but narrow, white sand beach that offers public restrooms, tables, children’s swings, and fire pits, plus ample parking during the week and in the offseason. It is less hectic than the main beach and coffee, snacks, and bicycles are available close by.

Linda Lane & The Pier  

LInda Lane (credit: alamy)

Considered one of the best spots along the San Clemente Beach Trail, because it combines the fun of the beach and a park. 

Corto Lane and the San Clemente Pier are two of the most well-known and most visited beaches in San Clemente. There are plenty of sandy beaches along with food, restrooms, barbecue grills, bonfire pits and swings for kids of all ages. If that's not enough to keep you busy, strolling down the pier, you will encounter one of the best views of downtown San Clemente.
 

​T-Street, Calafia, San Clemente State Beach, and San Onofre State Beach

San Clemente State Beach (credit: tripadvisor)

Further down the coastline you will find T-Street, Calafia, San Clemente State Beach, and San Onofre State Beach which are also quite popular beaches in San Clemente. 
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A great place for surfing, the area is also well suited for camping, beach-bumming, and hosting day-trip cookouts.


Back to today...
As for my day today, it's a usual and customary Monday.  Kids headed back to school. It's the first day of the "Spring Uniform" - no more jumpers and blazers for the balance of the year.

After school, we'll be headed to get the girls' dresses altered and possibly an afternoon snack of Dunkin Donuts (which is right next door to the seamstress).

Other than that, I'll be doing errands that I did not get completed yesterday - food shopping, post office and clothing returns.

Here's a to a fantastic week!!
-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 1 DAY

A Fabulous Birthday Celebration at the Beach

Oh heavens guys. I am having a crazy busy day. Luckily it's been very productive.
But the day before any and every trip seems to be some of my zaniest!
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And so because of such, although I have plenty to say - I just have no time. That is something that  happens too often in my life... I just have no time!

I'm told it is because I over book. But in actuality I don't over book. I book perfectly.
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But since I have no time right now, today is going to be more of a photo recap from our fabulous day of celebrating Chaplin on her 6th birthday yesterday!

PHOTO RECAP FROM YESTERDAY:

And all about Zoomar's Petting Zoo from the Zoomar's webpage:

(c)travelincousins.com

​In 1776, our 2-acre site was part of San Juan's beautiful Mission where thousands of sheep, cattle and horses grazed the hillsides...

In the late 1800s two homes were built on the property, here beside the train tracks. In the early 1900s the main house was occupied by the town saloonkeeper. During the 20s and 30s, the Nieblas family lived in the pioneer farmhouse and kept a barnyard of animals.

Defina Olivares, San Juan's most-loved matriarch, moved onto the site in 1947. She raised chickens, boarded horses, and rented the back pasture to a traveling circus. After her passing in the late 70s, the house was named in her honor and listed on the National Historic Register.

In 1980, Gil and Millie Jones purchased the property and opened The Jones Family Mini Farm. With a couple of draft horses, a pig named Chucky, llamas, goats and guinea pigs, they soon became a popular attraction for locals. Deciding to retire in 2005, the Joneses sold their landmark to Carolyn Franks who loved it, improved it and renamed it ZOOMARS.

Today this peaceful place reminds us of simple times gone by, but not forgotten.

The kids of all ages had a great time while visiting and feeding the animals. 

Next up and our final destination before heading back home to continue the celebration was going to Doheny State Beach - read more about the beach on Elisa's blog.

Once we were all back home, we gathered around and watched Chaplin open even more gifts - giving huge hugs of thanks in between each one!!

And while there was lots more, and I'll be back on when I can to add even more pics to tell the story of the day.

I'm beginning to stress a wee bit and need to keep moving.

Plus I have a big travel meeting tonight with the International Peace Choir.

So I must be on my way!
​-T