Sunday Snaps #8 – San Diego Edition

Southern California, I’m really going to miss you. The weather was amazing, the food was great, the attractions and the people all very nice. We enjoyed the last four days in sunny San Diego and are not ready to come back to reality. We stayed at The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla and enjoyed sightseeing in San Diego and La Jolla, hikes and runs in Torrey Pines State Park, and catching up on our reading by the pool.

img_4574

The sunsets were incredible in San Diego. This first picture is of the sunset from The Lodge at Torrey Pines overlooking the Torrey Pines Golf Course.

img_4571

The ocean is incredible after a hike through Torrey Pines State Park. The cliffs and the views were breathtaking.

img_4583

We enjoyed a day at the San Diego Zoo. Josh’s favorite animal was the koala and I really liked the polar bears, elephants, penguins and giraffes.

img_4586

Then we enjoyed an amazing dinner at Juniper & Ivy, one of Richard Blais’s restaurants. Our dinner was excellent, another one for the books. We’ve been doing really well with Top Chef restaurants. The pictures never do the food justice but let me assure you the picture above of the General Tso’s Cauliflower is incredible.

img_4594The next day we enjoyed a relaxing day at the hotel and then an evening stroll along the coast in La Jolla. We saw another incredible sunset and views of the Pacific.

img_4613

Also, the seals in La Jolla Cove cannot be missed.

img_4608

As if we did not do enough activity, we capped off our last day in California with a morning run to Torrey Pines Glideport. It was too foggy and early for gliders.

img_4602

However, we did see some surfers on their way down to the tides.

img_4604

And I finally ran more than a mile with Josh! We ran for over 3 miles!

img_4610

And another hike later in the morning through a different trail down to Torrey Pines Beach. Finally a bump picture I don’t hate to commemorate the 20 week mark.

Hope you had a wonderful Sunday! 

 

Los Angeles in Pictures

We’re on our way down the coast of Southern California to San Diego. We just spent four nights in glorious Beverly Hills at the Montage Beverly Hills. We absolutely loved our time in the Los Angeles area and wish that we could spend more time there. To recap the first part of the trip, here are some photos from the iPhone. These are most definitely not the best ones or even close to all the highlights but definitely a good start.

img_4503

We enjoyed an amazing rooftop lunch at the Montage on our first day in Beverly Hills. I think we were pleasantly surprised by how cool the weather was the first couple of days.

img_4511-1

Traveling is not complete without a run through the neighborhoods. It’s one of the best ways to explore. I came back from my morning run in Beverly Hills ready to move there! Who can complain about the amazing weather and gorgeous scenery.

img_4514

I love breakfast foods! After the run, we enjoyed a great breakfast at Walter’s Cafe.

img_4516

Followed by a really yummy salad at True Food Kitchen in Santa Monica. I love all the fresh and healthy options in California.

img_4520

We didn’t just eat the whole time. We did take a nice stroll in Venice Beach. I don’t have a picture of it here, but Muscle Beach Gym right on the Venice Beach boardwalk was quite entertaining and intimidating at the same time.

img_4525

The sunset at Santa Monica Pier was right out of a movie. I guess it probably was used in a lot of movies.

img_4524-1And of course a picture of the famous Beverly Hills shield is a must. This shield stands at the entrances into the city and the logo is everywhere around the city.

img_4529-1

We enjoyed a tour at Warner Brothers Studio in Burbank. I was like a kid at a candy store when we got to see the set of Supergirl and Lorelai’s house and Jeep from Gilmore Girls.

img_4551

I especially squealed when I got to walk around the set of Central Perk from Friends!

img_4550-1

And since they had a real Central Perk café, I had to buy a drink.

img_4535

We saw so many props and sets on the tour but the highlight was definitely that from Sex and the City.

img_4554-1

We enjoyed our last evening in Los Angeles with dinner at Ink. Ink is Michael Voltaggio‘s restaurant. He is the winner of Top Chef Season 6 and of course that means I needed to try it. I am so glad we did. Ink was one of the best meals we’ve ever had and the dining experience will definitely rank in the top of our all-time favorite list. Unfortunately most of the pictures of the dinner will not do the meal justice. I especially loved the non-alcoholic mule in the a copper mug.

img_4559-1

And the mango, coconut, sticky rice with chocolate dessert! The entire dinner was incredible and I highly recommend it.

We’re sad to leave Los Angeles but excited to experience San Diego. More to come on our trip!