MarBrisa Resort, Carlsbad CA

A long day of travel starting with a 4:30 AM wake up to fly out of Wilmington NC. Our 1st 6 days will be in Carlsbad CA where the spring wildflowers are in bloom.
Breakfast at Rubys

With Dale hankering for his first cup of coffee, we stopped at Ruby’s Diner, a retro themed diner with planes and trains, before heading to the San Diego Zoo. I’ve been to the zoo several times onRead more
San Diego Zoo

Yes the Pandas were there. They return to China on the 29th and the lines have been as long as 3 hours to see them. However we walked right in and saw them, cute and busy eating their 35 daily poundsRead more
San Diego Botanic Garden

37 acres of beautiful plants. The flowers around S. California this spring are gorgeous and this well curated series of gardens are as well. Some samples.
SanDiego Wild AnimalPark

More animals, this time at the San Diego Wild Animal Park in Escondido. More interactive than a zoo, there is a large paddock for compatible African animals (meaning they won’t try to eat eachRead more
Santa Monica

A favorite in my travels, I love the ambiance and fun on the pier-part beach vibe scene, musicians, a rollercoaster and a lovely beach. On our way up the California Pacific Highway 1.
Daves Purple House in Morro Bay

More from Morro Bay, CA. Our friends Dave and Mary own a VRBO house in Morro Bay and we just love this town. Great vibe, great people.
Morro Bay California

An authentic California beach town. An antique car show was here this weekend with cars that reflect US car tastes throughout the decades. And Dale found a 1969 Mustang just like the one he wasRead more
Hearst Castle

The Hearst Castle, built by William Randolph Hearst for his mistress, located on the California coast. At one time Hearst owned 250,000 acres and 11 miles of coastline. The house and grounds areRead more
More Hearst Castle

More from Hearst Castle including the kitchen.
Carmel-by-the-Sea CA

Upscale, monied coastal town with expensive shops and some nice cars. Haven’t quite found the charm yet but we’re trying to by going to a cozy Irish pub. Found a cute indie bookstore and secretRead more
Beautiful Yosemite National Park

Staying at a quaint Victorian era hotel cottage at Yosemite National Park including shared bathrooms, is like a step back in time. Wi-Fi is only available in the lounge, dinner is semi-formal in theRead more
Yosemite and waterfalls

What’s up? Waterfalls and more waterfalls, along with rushing streams. It’s spring melt time in Yosemite
Giant Sequoias

Some of these trees are 2500 years old, one has a 128 year Old Ponderosa pine growing out of the crown of the tree. Old Majestic, also pictured here, fell many many years ago and the center of theRead more
Berkeley stop for lunch

Lunch at Eureka—Devilled eggs and Osso Bucco nibbles. So cute; the waitress is getting married next week and asked us old timers for some words of wisdom.
SoMa San Francisco Pizza

Great pizza and, as Dale pointed out, probably the most expensive pizza and a beer he has had in a long time. But it’s cool, and hip, with some foodie instagrammers shooting pictures of the pizzaRead more
San Francisco's Chinatown

Up hills, down hills, a day starting with shopping
Mothers Day on Alcatraz

Cell blocks and other welcoming spaces.