La Jolla holds a special place in our hearts. The southern coast of California is one of the few places we can drive to enjoy the beach – with James – so we’ve found ourselves returning year after year to celebrate Jake’s birthday in the spring. It’s the perfect getaway for relaxing, seeing family and friends, and getting a much-needed dose of the ocean just as Arizona is heating up. Always a top priority on our list: the dog beach.
The Del Mar Dog Beach is our new go-to: it’s a huge expanse of beach where dogs can run around unleashed during most of the year. Sun, water, packs of pups on the loose, and a seemingly endless supply of tennis balls – this place is a dog’s dream.
If that’s Jiggy’s ideal spot, then the coastal walk around the Cove is mine:
(That baby seal on the right was JUST born!)
In past years, we stayed a bit further out of the village, but this time we splurged and rented a house right in town, so that we were able to walk to all the restaurants or the beach in less than 10 minutes. Between the amazing location, the extra space (including a full kitchen and courtyard), and the privacy, I don’t think we could go back to hotel-living in this town again.
We had little on our agenda this trip, but one stop I did want to make was Balboa Park. The 1,200-acre park is home to gardens, museums, performing arts venues, beautiful architecture, and the San Diego Zoo, among other things. It’s free to enter the park and it’s open 24/7, so we decided to head there early one morning to beat the crowds. At 7:30 am, we had the place to ourselves.
See what I mean about the architecture?! Our last full day was overcast and a little rainy (i.e. perfect). Funny how since we moved to Arizona, these kind of days popping up in the forecast are what make me happiest.
Last mini highlight of the trip – stopping at the sand dunes in Glamis, CA on the way back. These dunes are right along the route back so a little stop off was totally doable (no way Jake would go for a detour from the already 6 hour journey). We parked at the Hugh T. Osbourne Lookout on Route 78, and from there were able to hop right into the sand. I’m not a fan of gritty sand in my toes, but this stuff was so fine, and bone dry, that I could have spent all afternoon running around these hills.
Not surprisingly, the boys loved it too. 😉 Til next time!