Ocean Beach, CA

 Google describes Ocean Beach (San Diego) as "a vibrant, bohemian neighborhood, with a classic SoCal beach vibe." I think that's pretty accurate. It feels old school: Older homes, unique stores and restaurants, and dripping with personality. It's like the big money developers have somehow missed this slice of beach heaven, and that's exactly why we wanted to spend a few days here.

We stayed at the Ocean Villa Inn. Nothing fancy... It's your basic motel, although pretty rundown, but it had two important things going for it: [1] Location (right on the beach) and [2] dog friendly. On one side of the motel is Dog Beach, so this place (and actually the whole town) is like taking your dog on vacation! Dogs seem to be welcome everywhere. In the photo above, you can see my wife holding our dog, a rescue that had joined our family only a few weeks prior.

 

For this post, Lilly & I will take you on a walk to Ocean Beach Pier.

 

From our motel, it was a nice walk down the beach to the pier. I think I recall reading that Ocean Beach Pier is the longest concrete pier in California. Or maybe in the US? Anyway, it's long and has an unusual "T" shape. 

On the pier, looking at the left side of the "T"

 

About half way out on the pier was one of those wonderful old seafood restaurants. This one looked like it had been here a long time and weathered many a storm. The perfect spot to enjoy fish & chips and a cold one, but we had already eaten, so I settled for a photo of the view out one of the restaurant windows.

Photo opp outside of the restaurant. Watch out, Lilly!!

 

I don't recall what we were laughing at, but I know we were having fun!

 

Classic SoCal beach vibe!

 

One of the locals. Might be a vendor, packed up his wares and done for the day.

 

 

The beautiful sunset over the ocean already had me on skywatch overload, but facing away from the beach I was also being treated to a gorgeous moonrise!

 

Thanks for stopping by!!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Joshua Tree Sunset

 Sometimes a Joshua Tree and a pretty sunset is all you need. On this particular day I was looking for a simple sunset hike. No, not even a hike... More of a stroll. I won't mention the specific location where I took said stroll, although it's near a common tourist stop. It never disappoints. I always come away with some pretty shots and a good feeling!

 

 

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Hope you've been able to get out and enjoy some pretty skies. 

Thanks for stopping by!!

The Pumpkin King

 

My favorite neighborhood Halloween decoration. This Jack Skellington statue stands about 12-14' tall. Very impressive!

 

If you celebrate Halloween, I hope you had a good one!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

A Fluffy Cloud Kind of Day

 It's been a quiet week, with no travel out to the desert. The weather has been wonderful. We went from a hot weekend, with highs in the 90's, to very comfortable mid-70s starting on Monday. Today the sky is blue with big, fluffy clouds. The sky was calling to me, and I couldn't resist going out!

Old rusty valve left behind on what used to be oil property.

 

 

Later on, I took my granddaughter to soccer practice. There are some trails behind the soccer field that are great for hiking, so I try to get in a little exercise during part of her practice. I was finishing up my hike a little after sunset when I noticed this gorgeous sky. I took these photos, then went back and watched the last half hour of her practice.

That's St. Jude Hospital (Fullerton, CA) up on the hill.

 

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Thanks for stopping by!!