Tuesday, January 6, 2015

San Diego Beach Scenes

We're all settled in at Mission Bay RV Resort until the beginning of February and are enjoying copious quantities of beach time and idyllic weather. Here's a little taste of the beauty to be had along the San Diego coast line...

Our first evening parked at the Bay we enjoyed the sunset from John and Pam's Bay front site and
had the pleasure of meeting John and Sharon as well.


A Sunday morning walk along Pacific Beach.

Crystal Pier from another angle.

Water so clear you just wanted to jump right in...but the 62 degree temperature made us think twice!



Afternoon low tides have been wonderful for bird watching along the Bay.

Gotcha!

Sunset reflections from John and Pam's awesome site.

The sunset above was one that just kept on giving...

There's miles of paved bike and walking paths right from our RV park.

A glorious day for biking...that's our RV park right behind Hans.

One very low tide day we drove over to Sunset Cliffs with John and Pam for some walking and tidepooling, followed by dinner at OB Noodle House.

Plenty of tasty little fishies for the Egrets.

From the bluff we could look down into crystal clear shoreline, as the receding tide exposed colorful grasses.
Notice the woman at bottom right, she was about 10 feet above the water and we were at least 20 feet above her.

At the South end of Sunset Cliffs Blvd. there are stairs leading down to the tidepools and an excellent surf break.
On this day the tide was headed for a low of -.7, giving us plenty of rocky coast to explore.

Hans, Pam and John stroll along, pausing at pools to search for tide stranded critters.

Though we didn't see many critters, we did enjoy colorful pools and the search itself.


Pam admires colorful layers of sandstone.

Afternoon glow lights up the cliffs as we head back to the stairs and the bluff.

Good drink specials and pho at OB Noodle House with good friends!

Another day we walked the cliffs and noticed this guy spearfishing in camoflage!

This person caught our attention as s/he flew right over the RV park.

San Diego is a wonderful place to spend the winter months, we're feeling pretty spoiled with the perfect weather (and no bugs). The only drawback is how congested a big city feels after months on the road with only short bursts of big cities. But after decades of living here, we know what we're getting in to! Soon enough we'll mosey on down the road destined for new sights and adventures...


22 comments:

  1. Wow, beautiful collection of photos. We're thinking about spending next Nov and Dec there. Any site recommendations? Enjoy the wonderful sights and gorgeous weather.

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    1. Yes, either the premium sites backing up to the bay like John and Pam have or one of 4 sites that are next to the grass that separates you from the restrooms...that way you only have one neighbor. We are currently in site 139...it has an extra wide asphalt area and seems quite spacious. Only one drawback: people let their dogs pee on the grass. Considering that the sites are quite close together we put up with that since we only have one neighbor!

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  2. Looks like you and we may have the only warm spots in the country just now. Great company you've met up with and your pictures of the tide pools and beach are wonderful. I particularly like the shot out over the rocks. Your pictures of the skies and that great egret are terrific. Really nicely done. A month in this spot looks like it's going to be mighty fine.

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    1. We are very fortunate aren't we!? The water has been particularly beautiful this winter.

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  3. We really enjoyed Mission Bay as you are. Nice place and lots to do. And yes, the crowded congestion is what keeps us from going back again. I am sure we will someday...but not just yet.

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    1. Yes, you two live in some pretty sweet, laid back, small towns compared to this and it must feel extra crazy for you to spend time in a big city...I'll be very ready for the slow down once we leave here!

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  4. The coast sure is beautiful, loving the deep blue water with the blue sky:) Thanks for taking us tide pooling! It was a perfect afternoon and evening:)

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  5. We loved finally getting to meet the two of you and only wish we had a bit more time to get to know you... thanks for letting us reminisce about the area through your photos...

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    1. I sure wish I had taken a photo! I guess that means our paths need to cross again sometime! :-) Perhaps in TX???!!!

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  6. Your photos are especially spectacular. The "sea rake" in the clear water is so fun, and I can't believe how turquoise the water is! The sunset reflection and the golden rocks are both....wow! If you're going to be in a city for a while it's pretty hard to beat San Diego in the winter..as you natives well know :-) Looks like a day in the tide pools makes for nice slow pace amid the congestion.

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    1. Thanks Jodee! It really has been perfect here since we arrived at the beach. This is why people move to So Cal!

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  7. I can hardly wait to get there...playing in the tide pools is about the most fun ever! We have only explored the pools at Point Loma. Looks like we will have to head to Sunset Cliffs too. Your pictures are so beautiful. The afternoon glow on the smooth rocks and cliff blew me away...thanks Lisa!

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    1. I could easily spend HOURS walking low tide! I just love it! On a very low tide you could probably walk all the way from our Sunset Cliffs access point to the Cabrillo Nat'l Monument access point...it is the same stretch of beach.

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  8. Wow, such amazing photos! really made me feel like I was right there. Perhaps we will spend some winter time in San Diego, thanks for sharing.

    Maura

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  9. Wow!!! Such gorgeous weather, glorious sunsets, and beautiful water and beach! And fun friends to share it all with. Looks like you guys picked the perfect place to be. Pretty sweet beginning to the new year!

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  10. Seeing your photos, it is no wonder our kids have chosen to live in Del Mar. May the sun continue to warm you both and more great adventures.

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  11. Ok Lisa, here's hoping this comment finally comes through. Knowing me, it is probably user error. ;) We love tide pooling as well. Have you gone to the pools near Cabrillo NM? Hopefully our paths will cross at some point and we can play pickleball together.

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    1. It made it through! Yes, Cabrillo tide pools were always my favorites...20+ years ago we saw lots of sea stars, sea slugs and even octopus at those pools. Times have changed though, and it is difficult to find many live critters in the San Diego tide pools. The lack of adequate parking on low tide days at Cabrillo makes it a tough choice.

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  12. You are indeed in the best state this winter what with all those beautiful views basking in the warm sun. SD could be one of our winter digs this year.
    Gorgeous sunsets on the Pacific Coast!

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