California Beaming

Post Christmas, we spent some time in San Diego. The weather was great and the sun shined pretty much every day. My kind of vacation is the one where you sleep in late and have a leisurely time all day long with really no regard or need for knowing what time it is...and that's pretty much what we did. In my opinion, that type of lifestyle almost defines California ;) and what better place to spend it. Experiencing a complete change in pace in lifestyle is really such a luxury. I think these pictures capture that feeling well.

C by the beach in Laguna. I love this photo because it looks almost from the 1970's

me also by the beach in Laguna

at Dana Point, by the boat docks. I love a good boat name. I can't remember any of the ones we saw that day, but I adore them because they're usually puns and you know how I love a good pun...

Later that day, we headed to Balboa Island, which is a very cute community of homes by the beach. Since so many tourists walk by these homes, many were decked out in holiday decor. It wasn't the size of the homes that was so interesting more so than the individuality of them. This was one of the ones, for example: 

a cute, small gingerbread house- or shall I say, peppermint house

one of the homes on Balboa Island. TEA CUPS in the kitchen window!

Mr. Sandman. Balboa Island

for the love of dog. Balboa Island

Other activities that week included going to the gym. Of course, as I don't consider working out necessarily a vacation activity, I did get to spend some time by the pool at the gym, which felt fantastic in December. 

poolside at the gym

We would usually find a good lunch spot in the late afternoon. One afternoon, we had a meal to go at Roberto's and ate in the car, by the beach. I looked to my right and saw an amazing photo op- an old red Ford Mustang parked beachside. The colors were just brilliant and it was just so quintessentially Californian. Seriously, the state of CA should hire me as a promo photographer, no?

having lunch by the beach in Del Mar

outside Fidel's, my favorite Tex Mex fare in San Diego so far

We also went bowling. I was pretty mediocre, but it was great nonetheless. Bowling is something we  haven't done in AGES. My arm was actually sore the next day! I may have also tweaked my back. I love the old school look of the bowling alley in this picture. And C even commented how cool bowling shoes are. I couldn't agree more.

the bowling alley, despite this photo was PACKED.

We were also able to spend a good amount of time with family. I love this picture for all the rich colors. The sun setting in the early evening really brought out the leaves and the colors of the clothes. A look of determination... 

Miles ready to ride

And speaking of nice cars...On our last day, we saw a FORD MODEL-T! Never in my life have I ever. I suspected it may have been, but I wasn't sure at the time. Doing some research afterwards, I discovered that it's probably a 1929 model. I was impressed- it was just in pristine condition down to the tires and side-view mirrors.

:: First picture: neighborhood orange tree in San Diego::