My Mom, (who recently turned 80 years “young”), always said…”Nothing in life is free”. Well, Mom, you were “almost” completely right!
For my birthday this year I did something really out of the ordinary: I traveled solo to and from the beautiful Mediterranean picturesque Santa Catalina Island, population just over 3000 (I will be referring to it as Catalina Island ) on my “free” round trip boat ride, courtesy of Catalina Express http://catalinaexpress.com/birthday_promo.html and enjoyed a few other free or discounted goodies thrown in!
You’re probably thinking…”Huh?”…”You’re kidding..” or “What a risk” or “How idiotic”, right?
Nope! Best trip ever! I am still smiling inside!
Although I’m originally from New Jersey, I’ve lived in several cities, states and a few countries. California is especially dear to me because overall, I’ve lived here a total of 18 years. Despite so many years here, I was yet to experience a trip to Catalina.
So, this past April, on my birthday, my husband would be working, my daughter was in school and I didn’t want to “obligate” friend(s) to pay for the round trip boat ride. Plus, and this was a big bonus: I absolutely love photography, and I’d be able to snap away where, what and when I wanted! So….
I drove bright and early from San Diego to Long Beach, grabbed some breakfast, checked in with proof of my actual birthday, received and donned that cool “It’s my birthday” ribbon and boarded the boat! I sat outside and bundled up for the ride!
Aboard the boat to Catalina!
Oh…I did take some children’s strength medicine for potential motion “challenges” which turned out to be a real plus! Did I say a real plus???? Yep, some queasiness hit me a tiny bit, but I survived!
I’m happy to share some photos and tidbits from my trip.
We left the harbor and suddenly it was extremely windy !
Leaving the Long Beach Harbor
We passed by the Queen Mary on the way to Catalina, another place I’d like to visit sometime soon!
Passing by The Queen Mary Docked in Long Beach
Also saw the “China Shipping Line” En Route!
Passing by Cargo Ship
Aha! Our first view of Catalina Island in the distance!
First sight of Catalina Island!
How cool is this? A parasailer welcoming us!
Another “first glance” of Catalina Island
A view of the beautiful Catalina Island Casino!
The Famous Catalina Island Casino
The beautiful Carnival Cruise was in port! Passengers took smaller boats to get onto the island.
When I arrived Avalon was very busy with many cruise passengers for the day. Then at around 4 p.m., they all left, and Avalon felt like a ghost town!
Look! A Carnival Cruise in Port!
Another colorful view of Catalina Island!
Catalina Harbor
Once we happily “disembarked”I was eager to explore Avalon on Catalina Island. What a delightful way to spend the day! I decided not to rent a golf cart (the golf carts are all over the place, since they only allow so many cars on the island and there is a 14 year wait for a car permit)! and strolled at my own pace. Here’s a look at some of the shops and tourist spots I snapped. Feel free to click on each picture for a larger view!
Several T-Shirts and souveneirs to glance at and buy!
Loved this stone. A bit pricey though!
Here’s more info on Larimar
Couldn’t resist snapping a pic at this flower!
Mermaid in Catalina!
Variety of cards and things!
Beautiful artistic pieces
Bikes ready to explore the island!
Small pier with restaurant, shops etc.
After wandering a bit, I decided to enjoy a delicious lunch and a Margarita at Maggies Blue Rose. I was having such a great time, that I thought…why not stay overnight??? I knew it was completely out of the ordinary for me…but nonetheless decided to do a quick search of hotels but also asked my server what she recommended. Serendipitously, I decided to stay upstairs from Maggies at the Hotel Vista Del Mar. They also had some fun birthday freebies, including a bottle of wine or champagne (I chose the bottle of wine and brought it home), and a celebratory balloon ! I bought a few essentials for staying overnight and relaxed for the rest of my solo journey! Feel free to click on each picture for a larger view!
Hotel Vista Del Mar
Hotel Vista Del Mar
Hotel Vista Del Mar
Hotel Vista Del Mar
Hotel Vista Del Mar
Hotel Vista Del Mar
Hotel Vista Del Mar SignFish Tank at Hotel Vista Del Mar
The Hotel Vista Del Mar has a great fish tank in the lobby filled with colorful fish and coral decor ! It was very relaxing to peek at the tank while relaxing on the lobby which overlooks the water.
Once I checked into the hotel, I decided to take the very interesting Catalina Scenic Tour. The bus driver a.k.a. narrator was terrific spokeperson for the Avalon and island of Catalina.
Here are some of the sights from that trip:
Feel free to click on each picture for a larger view!
View from Avalon Tour Bus
View of Wrigley Mansion from Avalon Tour Bus
View from Avalon Tour Bus
Zip LIning View from Avalon Tour Bus
Harbor View from Avalon Tour Bus
Another harbor View from Avalon Tour Bus
View from Avalon Tour Bus
View from Avalon Tour Bus
Campground: View from Avalon Tour Bus
Glimpse at a local street: View from Avalon Tour Bus
After the bus tour, I strolled around Avalon some more. I thoroughly enjoyed a great dinner at Steve’s Steakhouse!
Of course, I then had to sample some ice cream and candy from this place!
Feel free to click on each picture for a larger view!
Lloyd’s of Avalon Candy Store
Lloyd’s of Avalon Candy Store
Sampling some delicious ice cream at Lloyd’s of Avalon Candy Store
I noticed the beautiful tiled fountain on Crescent Street, which is made of clay from Catalina Island.
The tiled fountain at Crescent Street, Avalon
Afterwards, I decided to walk towards the famous Catalina Casino and these are the sights seen on my way! Feel free to click on each picture for a larger view!
Strolling along Avalon Towards the Casino
Gulls overlooking the harbor
Strolling along Avalon Towards the Casino
Catalina Strolling along Avalon Towards the Casino, Such Awesome Colors!
Strolling along Avalon Towards the Casino
Strolling along Avalon Towards the Casino
Strolling along Avalon Towards the Casino: Catalina Yacht Club
Strolling along Avalon Towards the Casino
Strolling along Avalon Towards the Casino: Those famous orange fish
That was it for my day in Catalina. Then it was time to get some rest at the hotel! They had some cool DVD’s that I borrowed. I didn’t drink the wine, brought the bottle home, but enjoyed looking at that balloon! Had a great night’s sleep too!
Time to get some rest at the hotel!
The next morning I decided to venture out a bit more to the casino area, the Museum and then and Descanso Beach Club. Feel free to click on each picture for a larger view!
Outside the Museum
On the way to Descanso Beach
On the way to Descanso Beach
Descanso Beach
Descanso Beach
Descanso Beach
Descanso Beach
More at Descanso Beach
More at Descanso Beach
On the way to Descanso Beach
Casino
Casino
Casino
Casino
It was soon time to say goodbye to Catalina Island! Here are some photos from my final minutes of solo joy!
Avalon Veterans Memorial ParkCatalina Veterans Memorial ParkGoodbye Catalina Island!!!
Even though I could have traveled free roundtrip, on the way back to Long Beach, I decided to take advantage of the Commodore Lounge on the Catalina Express for $15 and go back in style!
We were served a drink and a snack, and had very comfy seats!
All aboard inside the Catalina Express Commodore Lounge!
We arrived back in Long Beach and I happily drove back to San Diego! This was a quick, fun, safe getaway and I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Avalon on Catalina Island!
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And now to finish with a Haiku:
Overnight in Catalina Island
1.
Traveling alone
Seeing sights, snapping photos
I embraced it all!
2.
A gorgeous island
So perfect for sightseeing
And relaxing too
3.
Yes I will be back
I will bring my family
We shall all have fun!
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You never know what you’ll find or stumble upon at Torrey Pines State Beach!
Today was no exception.
What a joy it was to spot some cool “raked” writing in the sand and discover it was a marriage proposal…in POLISH!
(What a joy it always is to have my camera in hand as well)!
It took a small village to plan and make today happen.
I asked the two guys on the beach (Gino and Dan) who had just finished “raking” the proposal for their friend/co-workers Nathan and his soon to be fiance, Catherine (who is Polish).
It said (in Polish), “Catherine, will you marry me?” in the sand.
Nathan’s Proposal for Catherine in Polish in the sand
Plus an extra added bonus, they made a giant heart in the sand as well. I couldn’t resist taking this photo of the heart!
Heart in the Sand
I was so captivated by the soon-to-be joyous (hopefully) occasion, that I offered to help keep beach strollers away from the masterpiece and photograph the “event” from below.
I told passersby why we were “diverting” them. It was really cool. The excitement was building. Everyone was smiling Where was the couple??
They were going to be atop a cliff up above from where the proposal was etched!
The Proposal Cliff!
The guys said that their friend, Nathan who was proposing to Catherine, had planned the exact spot up top and on the beach below.
Another friend, Scott, was waiting up above, concealed by the bushes. He was going to snap photos of the magic moment. Hopefully we’ll get a few later from Scott and I can add them to this post!
I took a few more pics of the cliff above.
We waited for about 15-20 minutes.
And then…We spotted Nathan and Catherine! Like little “ants”!
Another view of the Cliff with Nathan and Catherine atop the cliff!
I zoomed it from the beach! Here’s Nathan Proposing to Catherine! Soon we were all cheering and clapping!
Nathan Proposing to Catherine!
One more photo of Nathan and Catherine from the beach!
Nathan Proposing to Catherine!
And here are Dan and Gino, celebrating the success of the proposal writing mission!
Dan and Gino: Beach Mission Accomplished! Photo by SJF Communications
UPDATE! 4/28/15 7:36 p.m.
I just heard from Scott Mahoney, who took some great photos of the couple from above at the cliff!
Here they are! (Click on each photo to make it larger)!
Incidentally, you can find more of Scott’s Photos on his Instagram Account (@srmphotography)
Photo by Scott Mahoney, SRM Photography
Photo by Scott Mahoney, SRM Photography
Photo by Scott Mahoney, SRM Photography
Photo by Scott Mahoney, SRM Photography
Photo by Scott Mahoney, SRM Photography
Photo by Scott Mahoney, SRM Photography
Congrats to Nathan and Catherine for many happy years ahead together!
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What a fun surprise! While power walking today on Del Mar Beach with my friend, (yep, we powered on for 7000+ steps), we serendipitously saw something really creative and cool!
First we saw these buckets…and wondered what was going on!
Sand Castle Gear
Then we met JT and Tony from San Diego Sand Castles who were coaching their prospective clients of the afternoon how to build their own masterpieces! San Diego Sand Castles has many terrific reviews on Trip Advisor too! Here’s their Facebook Page LInk.
First we met Sand Sculptor Tony Leib who was working with local resident, Catherine. It was Catherine’s first private lesson and she was excited to spend three hours learning a bit of the craft.
San Diego Sand Castles Sand Sculptor Tony Leib with Catherine
San Diego Sand Castles Sand Sculptor Tony Leib with Catherine
San Diego Sand Castles Sand Sculptor Tony Leib with Catherine
Then we walked a few hundred feet and met the owner of San Diego Sand Castles, JT Estrela (in the hat) with a cool Father (Chris) and Son (Trey) from Seattle, who were celebrating Trey’s Spring Break. Great Father-Son bonding in the sunshine!
San Diego Sand Castles Owner JT Estrela with Chris and Trey
San Diego Sand Castles Owner JT Estrela with Chris and Trey
San Diego Sand Castles Owner JT Estrela with Chris and Trey
We left the beach and saw the cutest bunny near a unique tree, a few interesting palms and a train passing by at Seagrove Park in Del Mar. Couldn’t resist snapping away!
Seagrove Park in Del Mar
Bunny at Seagrove Park, Del MarBunny at Seagrove Park, Del MarPalm Trees Del Mar
Train Passing Through Del Mar
Lesson for the day: You never know what you’ll discover each day, so have your camera handy!
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I love living in the San Diego area. Every time I visit Torrey Pines State Beach I discover something different and magical!
Couldn’t believe my luck today when I saw a fellow photographer ahead of me, with his camera and large lens, looking up at the rock formations.
He told me about seeing two peregrine falcons. We spotted one of them perched high up, atop a rock formation.
I zoomed in and snapped several photos for your viewing!
Peregrine Falcon at Torrey Pines State Beach
Peregrine Falcon at Torrey Pines State Beach
Peregrine Falcon at Torrey Pines State Beach
I also marveled at how much beauty and “art” there is in nature. Here are a few photos that demonstrate patterns, colors, textures, etc. in today’s ‘beach finds”
Art in Nature at Torrey Pines State Beach
Art in Nature at Torrey Pines State Beach
Art in Nature at Torrey Pines State Beach
Art in Nature at Torrey Pines State Beach
Art in Nature at Torrey Pines State Beach
Art in Nature at Torrey Pines State Beach
Finally, here are a few more photos from today. A group of college students from Vermont were enjoying Spring Break at Torrey Pines State Beach near Flat Rock .
Here are some photos!
Spring Break at Torrey Pines State BeachRock Formation at Torrey Pines State BeachRock Formation at Torrey Pines State Beach
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I can’t get enough of the natural beauty at Torrey Pines State Beach!
Simply sharing with you a few glimpses from my “low tide” TPSB stroll where I spotted two cormorants perched atop a rock.
Besides viewing the cormorants, enjoy these snapshots of gorgeous spring flowers (seen on the neighborhood), a cool rock formation and a “heat map” of hangliders!
Have a fantastic week and try to do something creative each day!
Spring has Sprung! Torrey Pines State Beach & Flowers
Spring has Sprung! Torrey Pines State Beach & Flowers
Spring has Sprung! Torrey Pines State Beach & Flowers
Spring has Sprung! Torrey Pines State Beach & Flowers
Spring has Sprung! Torrey Pines State Beach & Flowers
Spring has Sprung! Torrey Pines State Beach & Flowers
Spring has Sprung! Torrey Pines State Beach & Flowers
Spring has Sprung! Torrey Pines State Beach & Flowers
Spring has Sprung! Torrey Pines State Beach & Flowers
Spring has Sprung! Torrey Pines State Beach & Flowers
Spring has Sprung! Torrey Pines State Beach & Flowers
Spring has Sprung! Torrey Pines State Beach & Flowers
Spring has Sprung! Torrey Pines State Beach & Flowers
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A few “finds” from our walk today on Torrey Pines State Beach. Left to right, top to bottom: The majestic rock and clouds, a “beached” seal (that we reported to the ranger), several dolphins enjoying the Pacific Ocean, a round rock atop a rock, a couple of seagulls not talking to each other anymore, and a rock that resembled a “heart”. Spectacular! Plus my friend and I walked about 6000 steps! Photos (snapped w/Nikon Coolpix L830 & edited in Picasa) by Susan Farese, SJF Communications
Collage at Torrey Pines State Beach 3.17.15
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This morning I enjoyed a wonderful hike with my friend Ninon at Torrey Pines State Reserve. We walked up the hill from the parking lot. (Usually $12/day, but for locals like us, it pays to buy a “California Explorer” Annual Pass which gives access to California State Parks).
Looking North West from Torrey Pines State Reserve
A lone Torrey Pines tree at Torrey PInes State Reserve
Susan admiring Rock Formations at Torrey Pines State Reserve
And savored the gorgeous ocean views from atop the cliffs
Cliffs Overlooking the Beautiful Pacific Ocean
We finally made it to the view of Flat Rock!
Flat Rock at Torrey Pines State Reserve
We took the beach trail and observed several wild yellow, and orange flowers blooming.
The trail led us to gorgeous majestic views of the blue-green hued Pacific Ocean. Then we took the steps down to Torrey Pines State Beach below.
View of Flat Rock & La Jolla in the Distance at Torrey Pines State Reserve
Then lo and behold…all of a sudden, as we ventured down the steps to Torrey Pines State Beach, we spotted a DRONE in the sky!
JIm Gleason’s Drone in the Sky at Torrey Pines State Beach
Here’s a short video of the drone landing!
Which led us to meet “Droner” Jim Gleason, a freelance videographer, originally from San Diego but visiting from Austria with his wife Camille, who is a Scientist with Novartis Pharmaceuticals.
Jim Gleason with his Drone at Torrey Pines State Beach
Jim told us about his drone, a DJI Phantom 2 H3-3d combo which costs approximately $1000, along with his Go-Pro (approximately $300),
plus an installed video downlink system all through Aerial Media Pros.
Jim Gleason with his Drone at Torrey Pines State Beach
Jim and Camille Gleason
Jim and Camille Gleason at Torrey Pines State Beach
All in all, a fun morning hiking at Torrey Pines State Reserve and Torrey PInes State Beach!
Here’s a gallery of more photos from today!
Umbrella at Torrey Pines State Beach
Cliffs Overlooking the Beautiful Pacific Ocean
Wildflowers at Torrey Pines State Reserve
Cactus at Torrey Pines State Reserve
Heat Map of Wildflowers and Cactus at Torrey PInes State Reserve
View of La Jolla at Torrey PInes State Reserve
Ninon Reflecting & looking for Sea Glass at Torrey PInes State Beach
Man Fishing at Torrey Pines State Beach
Zoomed in Birds at Torrey Pines State Beach
Heat Map of Rock Formations and Flat Rock at Torrey Pines State Beach
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