Behind the Skate Park

San Clemente Skate Park, overlooking Camp Pendleton

Path along the ridge. Ocean (and houses) on one side. Mountains and Camp Pendleton on the other.

Old cattle troughs overlooking Pendleton and the ocean.

Sorry Native Americans, Spanish,

 Mexicans and finally cows -

make way for our tract homes!

     Situated in the back hills east of the freeway, the San Clemente Skate Park is a cement haven free of charge for anyone from girls on scooters to old men with knee pads and circa 70's skateboards. My husband Jordi falls somewhere in this spectrum and loves to skate around on quiet mornings with no surf. Not liking to be left behind, I often times tag along on his trips to the skate park, since it's in a beautiful location, and next to a park overlooking the hills of Camp Pendleton. On one of these trips, I wandered behind the bathrooms and found a path that went almost vertically up a hill, and then divided. Since then, I had always gone right for a view of the ocean and short walk along the ridge. Then one day I decided to go left. I had always thought the left turn would just loop around and connect to the way I had been going, but was I in for a surprise! I ended up walking for almost an hour along the ridge and back, leaving Jordi sweating and skating for longer than he bargained for!
     The next time, I convinced Jordi to leave his skating early and come with me up the hill. We walked all the way to the end of the trail, which ended in a water reservoir and neighborhoods. The main path is paved and gently sloping among the hills. Other small dirt trails criss cross all over the hills, perfect for mountain bikers.
     We walked along the path, with expansive views of Camp Pendleton and the coastline - from Dana Point and past the power plant. It's a beautiful and enjoyable walk that I would recommend for an early morning (not much shade) or a clear day (Catalina!). Stumbling upon an old printout map somewhere in my desk area called "San Clemente Trail and Bike Ways Map", I found out that there are many more such walks in San Clemente that I have yet to try out. The path I had found is called Rancho San Clemente Trail. It starts and ends in neighborhoods, but meanders through the hills for 3.5 miles in between housing developments, and also has an access trail behind the skate park.
     We are blessed to live in such a beautiful town with hiking just minutes from our house.  Living for years on the Central Coast has spoiled me bit though, since I'm always a little bit disappointed to see so many big houses everywhere, or hike to the music of buzzing power lines. But I'm thankful for Camp Pendleton as a neighbor and the opportunity to find a hike while my hubby shows those teenage skaters who's boss. ;)

Happy Camper

Trail to the beach at El Capitan 

Luxury cabin

View from the hill behind our campsite!

Luxury Yurt

Market and Coffee shop/cafe

Complimentary bicycles - if you stay in cabin
or yurt...

Usually, campers are put away on dusty campsites while 5-star guests expensively enjoy ocean views, champagne and jacuzzi's.  However, as we traveled through Santa Barbara this weekend looking for an outdoor getaway, we happily stumbled upon a privately owned bastion of egalitarianism, where luxury cabins intermingled with yurts, RV's and tents. Yes my friends, Ocean Mesa at El Capitan is a breath of fresh non-government-owned air where a camper can relax in the jacuzzi and a resorter can go for a long, dusty hike.

It all started with a gorgeous weekend forecast and work off for Thanksgiving - we had to go somewhere! Santa Barbara seemed like the perfect place for a short camping trip, so off we went. Unfortunately a spur of the moment decision for us happened to a be well thought out plan for far too many Californians - all the campgrounds along the coast where we wanted to stay were booked up for the night.

As we dejectedly left the beautiful and full El Capitan State Campground, we aimlessly drove along the frontage road next to the freeway where we noticed signs for camping. We pulled into a driveway and saw tents, so we kept driving into what looked like a really nice campground. The attendants at the charming front office/grocery mart told us that this privately owned campground had plenty of spots for camping. Although tent camping costs $50 a night instead of $35 at state parks, you get hot showers, clean private bathrooms, laundry facilities, wi-fi, a pool, jacuzzi, market and restaurant, as well as horseshoe courts and a playground. It's an easy walk under the bridge to El Capitan and the ocean, and lots of hiking right behind our tent.

Needless to say, we were very excited to have found this little surprise campground. Paying $15 more was worth it to not have to continue driving or sleep in our car - and we got to use the jacuzzi!
We ended up staying for two nights, and although we didn't take full advantage of the luxury camping facilities - such as showers, laundry or wi-fi, we did go in the pool after surfing one day, and we got coffee and breakfast at the cute restaurant on our last morning. But mostly it was nice to have a quiet campground next to the hills when so many campgrounds were too full.
Spending $50 for a campsite might seem like too much, but it's cheaper than a hotel and offers a lot of perks. Although we didn't necessarily need all the amenities, it's ideal for families or groups who are camping for more than just a weekend.
Santa Barbara is an absolutely gorgeous place to camp - either make reservations at state grounds or live it up at Ocean Mesa!

To visit campground website: http://www.oceanmesa.com/
To visit cabin website: http://www.elcapitancanyon.com/

Local Bookstore

Owners Richard and Karen Palmer, with Harry the cat

Over 70,000 books in here to choose from!

Tuesday afternoon

Village Books on Avenida Serra

Harry watching over the Bookstore

   
   
     What do I and the French ambassador to Finland have in common? Well, for starters we both have an exquisite taste in where to buy our books, that being the Village Book Exchange in downtown San Clemente.

     Although Monsieur Ambassador bought his books from Village Book Exchange online (through AbeBooks.com), I'm lucky enough to live just blocks away from this little gem!
     On routine walks to Del Mar, the main street of downtown San Clemente, I've often passed this small bookstore, tucked down a quiet street, with green awnings and a quaint sign as a welcoming invitation to peek inside. Stepping up to the door, a sign reads, "Please do not let the cat out! Thank you." Once through the screen door, you are engulfed in one of life's best little pleasures - a well-stocked, cozy bookshop.

     A few decades ago, the aptly named Paperback Exchange was located on Del Mar with 10,000 used paperback books. Owners Mary and Jim Schroeder retired, selling the shop to a long time costumer, Karen Palmer, and her husband Richard. The store grew to also offer hardback and new books as well as paperbacks, began selling books online, and changed their name to Village Book Exchange. Recently, a combination of factors forced them to move off the main drag to a quieter street two blocks North. Although they don't get all the foot traffic they used to, loyal costumers keep this Mom and Pop shop busy and vibrant.

     The perfect mix of convenience and ambiance make a delightful neighborhood bookshop. One of the best things about Village Book Exchange is their Trading System. All those old books sitting on the shelf you don't need or read can be exchanged for something "new" and exciting. The store also stocks high school literature, popular new novels, and middle school book club reading for the community's convenience. Village Books is cozy and comfy, with chairs and carpets scattered throughout for the peace and comfort of Perusers. I appreciate their thoughtfulness since it can be frustrating to be deeply entrenched in the important business of skimming a book, with no place to sit and flip. Quiet corners in the back and bright sunshine streaming through the windows toward the front create a pleasant atmosphere. Not to mention a big, soft cat named Harry (if you can find him), and delightfully helpful owners and staff.
I asked a lady in the store with her son what she liked about coming to this bookstore. Well, it's local, her son is always needing new books for school or fun, and well, "Why go anywhere else?"

     Why, indeed? Amazon doesn't have well-worn chairs, Borders doesn't have a Trading System, and Kindle doesn't come with a cat. Besides, maybe you'll get lucky and bump into an erudite diplomat! So bring your coffee and find/visit your local bookstore :) 

Painting Pottery

   

Fall is fantastic - cool weather, glassy ocean, pumpkin pies, tourists gone and kids in school. But fall can also be cold and gloomy, the days are shorter with darkness creeping around earlier and earlier, and at our house we're already penny-pinching in preparation for Christmas. (Whoever decided it would be a good idea to give gifts to everyone you know on the same day??)
Longer nights and colder weather mean there are not the myriad of free outdoor activities as during the summer. But with picnic season over, I decided to hunt for other budget friendly ways to spend our evenings. I saw on our refrigerator an old yellowed coupon to paint pottery at a place near downtown San Clemente called Fired Up. I wasn't sure what we would be getting ourselves into, but we decided to try it out on a chilly day this last weekend.
Although I had walked by numerous times, I'd never been into Fired Up, and Jordi had never painted pottery at all. I was pleasantly surprised by the homey nature of the place - in fact the charming Spanish-style bungalow actually used to be a house, which just adds to the warm ambiance. With rooms full of pottery and tables, Fired Up welcomes groups of kids painting away an afternoon, couples with their pumpkin latte's busy picking colors for their new mugs, or groups of ladies with their glasses of wine, creating the perfect soap dish. You can spend $5 - $40, depending on what you choose to paint. But once you have paid that fee, you are free to paint for as long, and however many times  you want. Jordi and I decided to paint a $25 vase, he painted one side, I painted the other. We aren't quite done though, so we'll go back this weekend to continue painting, extending our affordable date into a free one :)
Whether low key or high class, painting in the cute house-turned-studio is relaxing and fun, and a perfect  thing to do on a cold day or night!

Happy Hour Hopping

View from Cannon's in Dana Point

     Wherever you live, there are always the enticing and delicious-looking restaurants you wistfully pass by, but for those of us on a budget, actually enjoying what they have to offer is usually not a practical decision.  However, Happy Hours can turn these luxurious dreams into an affordable treat for a few inconvenient hours during the day or week - and taking advantage of them can be a fun way to get acquainted with the restaurants in your area. Jordi and I, being the bargain hunters that we are, tend to utilize these deals as our main means of eating out. In fact, this week we went to both Happa J's and Cannon's, and are still within our budget. However, not all happy hours are equal - I wanted to share the ones that offer good food as well as drink specials, and a nice atmosphere to enjoy. So with that in mind, here are some of our favorites:

The Cellar (my all-time favorite):

Where: Downtown San Clemente

When: 4-6 Tues - Sun

What: $5 pizzette's, house wine (usually $9) and beer on tap (think Chimay)

Why: Great little outdoor patio where you can people watch and enjoy the weather. Live music every night! 

Riders Club

Where: North San Clemente

When: Mon-Fri 4-6

What: $2 hotdogs - homemade relish, potato chips and pickled beets. $3-5 high end drafts. Not ever on happy hour special, but they do have the best hamburgers ever, including the portabello mushroom burger.

Why: Local owners are super friendly and knowledgeable; lots of outdoor seating; close to the beach and beach path; everything is high quality and homemade. 

Fisherman's

Where: San Clemente Pier 

When: Mon- Fri 4-7

What: Every day they offer $3 meals such as BBQ chicken, taco's, etc, and a drink special

Why: The food and drinks are ok, but the view while sitting on top of the water and watching the surfers and sunset on a gorgeous day are worth it. (If you don't make it to happy hour, order a soda, coffee or $3 glass of champagne and still enjoy a cheap seat over the water).

Happa J's

Where: South San Clemente

When: Tuesday 4:30-9:30, Sunday 11-3

What: Taco Tuesday - homemade tortillas grilled in front of you, filled with poki, shrimp, etc - for $3!!! It's unbeatable. This deal goes all night, with $2 drafts. Their Sunday poki bowls are awesome.

Why: Really quality food; fun, casual setting; Watch whatever game is going on, a surf video, or sit on the deck. 

Cannon's

Where: Dana Point Harbor

When: Every day 4:30 - 6:30 (yes, even weekends!)

What: Half off drinks and appetizer/small meal deals

Why: The view is amazing! Overlooking all of the Harbor and past San Clemente. Is that La Jolla in the distance? This view would normally cost you a $30 entree at least. 

Velvet Yogurt

Where: San Clemente

When: Fridays 3-5

What: Half off frozen yogurt

Why: This sumptuous but expensive self serve yogurt becomes accessible to the lay people once a week. Stock up!

Mimosa Cafe:

Where: Downtown San Clemente

When: Saturday and Sunday mornings

What: $2 pastries

Why: Mimosa is a classy cafe that can easily set you back a few for eggs benedict and croissant french toast. On the weekends however, you can get their quality coffee or tea with small perfect pastries, and not rob the bank. Filling? Maybe not quite. An affordable weekend treat in a fun setting? Yes! 

Most of these tips are for the San Clemente area - are there any amazing deals near you that others should know about?

Worth the Wait

Saturday morning at Tartine

   
     In a place like San Francisco, waiting in line means you've shown up at the right spot. By the end of our weekend up north for our friends wedding, I was beginning to feel like we shouldn't be wasting our time at places that didn't have a line! It all started our first morning there when our friend Ryan, who we were staying with in the Mission district, told us we had to try Tartine Bakery near his apartment. We had heard of this bakery a couple times before, and decided to check it out. Daunted by the line halfway down the block Ryan reassured us, "It goes fast. Kinda." Half an hour of pleasant conversation later we all found ourselves staring at cases of the massive chocolate croissants, sugary morning buns, hefty cakes and hot quiches. How to decide?? This is always a quandary for me, and I ended up ordering enough breakfast for a small family. Needless to say, the perfected recipes, freshly baked every morning, stood up to their reputation. Although the first bite can tell you it's the most amazing buttery concoction ever, until then all you have to judge by is the line.

      The next morning we wandered to yet another Mission district favorite - Four Barrel Coffee. And again, a long line out the door. This time Ryan was not there to reassure us, but I was more confident in the belief that extreme goodness can lie at the end of a line. We eventually got to the front counter and ordered two coffee's to go. That's it. We put in our milk and headed out the door. After one sip, I was completely taken by surprise, "Whoa, what IS that??" "Yeah, it tastes weird," my husband agreed. "I have NEVER tasted coffee like this. Do I like it? I don't know yet." The final consensus was that I really liked their uniquely tasting coffee, which apparently comes from the way they roast it. And many many people find it worthy of a queue.

Bi-Rite

    
   
     Lastly, while we were walking down the street we saw a tiny little grocery store that looked inviting, with fresh flowers and produce outside, and an awning that said "Bi-Rite". The crowded conditions deterred no one as much as the cheese, bread, deli, wine, and produce lured them in. I was in a tiny little hobbit hole of heaven! It was a perfect gourmet, healthy grocery store in the amount of space of most Orange County kitchens. Mesmerized by the cheese, I dutifully opted for some fresh fruit, and once again jumped in the long line. By this time I was used to the routine, and it bothered me not in the slightest. Although I couldn't buy everything that looked fantastic, the fruit was great and the idea of the store was exciting.

     I realize lines don't always mean something good -  like the line at Macy's to buy Jessica Simpson shoes and get her autograph. Or the DMV, or red lights, or airport security. But when wandering around a new town, a line can mean a sign - this is where the locals deem something good enough to wait for. Where do YOU wait in line in your town?

Hanson's Market

Welcome to Hanson's! 

Mike Cullinan grows these beautiful tomatoes in Oceanside

The smoothie menu -
a work in progress, but so far so delicious.
(Juicing menu hangs above this one)

Owner Ron Castruita, with happy San Clemente moms.

And of course, its on organic cotton :) 

Watch your juice or smoothie being made
through the window...

     Local, organic, vegan, raw, gluten-free, dairy-free, cage-free, free-range, grass-fed, nitrate and nitrite-free, probiotic, herbal, all natural (or shall we say "Au Natural"?) -  Hanson's Market has it all. San Clemente's first health food store finally opened last week, to the relief and excitement of all who were tired of Trader Joes' tiny parking lot, driving to Mother's in Laguna Hills and eating waxy fruit from Ralph's. I was one of these excited residents, but not content to just shop there, I wanted to work there as well and be part of the party. And here I am, on to this next adventure of working at the Market!
     A San Clemente resident for more than 26 years, Ron Castruita and his wife Diana saw a need in the community, decided to go for it, and a few months later Hanson's was born. Hanson's Market is named after Ole Hanson, the founder of San Clemente in the 1920's, and hence the local hotshot of yore.
     Once the city finally found time and energy to pass all the permits (between weekends, holidays, Friday's off, and sick days, it's really quite exhausting for them to sign these papers) Hanson's was up and running. And so were we! The term eight days a week has never been so appropriate as we unloaded produce, fine-tuned juice recipes and hustled to get everything priced. But this is what soft openings are for! In a few weeks when everything is organized and running smoothly, we will have a grand opening with vendors, samples and a more complete representation of what we'll be offering. Right now, some of my favorite things about Hanson's (besides the amazing, fun, and friendly people I get to work with and you get to shop with):
~ Meeting Mike Cullinan, our current tomato supplier from Oceanside, and tasting his freshly picked cherry tomatoes
~ Although the coconuts aren't local, it's pretty fun to pick one out, have it hacked open behind the deli and sip the refreshing, replenishing, and delicious water!!
~ "Oh you would like some extra beets in your juice? Well, go ahead and pick some out over there in the produce area and I'll juice it for you!"
~ Bread baked daily in San Juan Capistrano
~ The herbal supplement corner where certified nutritionists can address your every query.
Whether you'd like to sip a coconut, order some kale juice, or perhaps french cheese is more your style?  it's worth your while to wander over!

Balboa Park, San Diego

     8:30 on a gloomy Saturday morning found us bouncing along in the back of my parents car. Coming from their house in north Orange County to pick us up in San Clemente, we all made our way down the coast to the Spanish Artists exhibit at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park. But first we must stop for breakfast. I'll take any excuse I can get to eat at Claire's on Cedros, a cafe in downtown Solana Beach. It would be a perfect resting point between our house in San Clemente and Balboa Park (of course a one-hour car trip requires a rest stop), not to mention Jordi's parents live in nearby Encinitas and agreed to meet us for a morning cup of organic coffee at the scrumptious and eco-stylish cafe.

     Cedros Street in Solana Beach sits a few blocks back from the ocean; this downtown district is where shops, restaurants and even the train station conglomerate, and of course, it's where Claires on Cedros is located. 

Back Patio at Claire's

     Going to Claire's is an experience, and I think this is why I like coming here for a leisurely breakfast. Walk up the steps and through the front door of this house-turned-cafe, and a kind hostess will put you down for the inevitable wait. But waiting is fine because you can order your cup of coffee early and enjoy it on the porch or walk around the front garden. Once seated, either outside on the back patio or inside the cozy clattering front of the "house", you are presented with a seasonal menu, replete with local food from local farmers, humanely treated animals cooked to tasty perfection, homemade breads, muffins and jams. But the homey building of Claire's itself is as conscious as it's food in regards to "being green". Claire's is Platinum LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - an internationally recognized green building certification system), but you would hardly know it because it just feels cute and comfy. While not obvious, the quirky touches all have their reasons - from the recycled glass in the floor design to the fruit and herbs all over their gardens, every whimsical touch is a conscious decision. With all the eco friendliness, humane animal treating, bike racks in front and recycled everything, you would think it would be crazy hippies serving us in a solar paneled green house, but all this deliberate green translates seamlessly to a welcoming, fun, and most importantly, delicious place to relax with friends and family. 

     After an incredible breakfast, stimulating conversation, and oggling over the treats behind the counter on our way out, we finally were on the road to Balboa Park, ready to be impressed with the Impressionists. 

     An unintentional detour through downtown San Diego and Hillcrest eventually led us to the park. Balboa Park is huge, and there are many entrances and exits on all sides, so it's definitely a good idea to bring a map.  

As we drove towards the Museum of Art, we passed a riveting game of lawn bowling, ladies doing lunges on the grass with their dogs on leashes looking bored, a swarm of teenaged girls dressed up in gold sequined dresses, tour groups and all the other families and people there for a myriad of reasons. If you're ever bored, go people watch at Balboa Park. 

     We found the museum and were able to park about a 5 or 10 minute walk away. Most of the museums at Balboa Park are in one area, the Museum of Art being very prominent at the front of the line-up. The rest of the museums are down a wide and leafy pedestrian walk way, with a fountain at the end. Here you will find the Science Center, Natural History Museum, Museum of Photographic Arts, Casa del Prado, and Casa del Prado Theatre - buildings from the 1915 Pan American Exposition. Throughout the park there is also an aerospace museum, the San Diego Zoo, Japanese gardens, and much much more.

Valencia Beach - Morning Sun

Joaquin Sorolla

Oxen - Study for the Afternoon Sun
Joaquin Sorolla

     We entered the museum - $12 each for an adult ticket - and spent a few hours looking at the paintings. Near the entrance is a coat-check to check your bag (but keep your jacket as it can get cool in the rooms), a fun gift shop, and bathrooms towards the back. There were no water fountains, so I would definitely recommend bringing water and snacks, as walking around a museum for a few hours can be tiring (Jordi was starving by the time we left).
     The main exhibit advertised the works of El Greco to Dali, although I didn't see as much Salvador Dali as I hoped. However, I really enjoyed the Spanish artist Sorolla's work, and posted my and Jordi's favorite (guess which is which ;)). Aside from the special exhibit, they had the usual rooms of Eastern, American and European Art; it was fun to see Monet and Cassatt as well.
    Wandering by a few other museums and gardens on the way back to the car, we then drove somewhere quieter to have a picnic on the grass. However, in this effort we first found ourselves being chuted onto the freeway before we knew it, but we u-turned back into the park. Then we found ourselves in the parking lot of the zoo. This was actually dejavu of a dozen years ago when our family had tried to have a picnic before going to this same exact zoo, and ended up on a patch of grass on the side of the highway across from the zoo. Before that could happen again, I highly suggested we leave the zoo area. After driving all around the park, we finally found the grassy area where we had seen the lunging ladies with bored dogs earlier, and here we unpacked our picnic and relaxed on grass.

With our bellies full of veggie pitas and fresh peaches, we finally set out for the trek home. A great opportunity to see some amazing paintings turned into a fun-filled day with our family, and a chance to do something and go somewhere new. I'll take that chance any day! :)  

Garage Sales

This wasn't even the worst of the downpour! But it got better - 

the sun eventually came out and our neighbor eventually 

moved his truck.

I would pay a dollar for homemade apple cinnamon coffee cake

 and hot fresh coffee in the rain. Apparently everyone else would 

only like to take it for free. "Can I just have a little bit of coffee?"

     Sometimes an explorer must lighten his or her load in order to more effectively wander. After weeks of deep house cleaning, I accumulated bags of Stuff to get rid of. My husband and I went through our closets, the garage and kitchen - making a good solid pile of unnecessary, unused or overused items. While not exactly "fun", weeding through my things did make me reevaluate what I own, and feel confident about everything that made the cut. When we lived in Redondo Beach, our street had a center divider where everyone put their bags of clothes, couches, bikes, washing machines, etc - and someone would usually pick it up. I loved this method because I could put something out and know if and when someone grabbed it. For instance, I finally put my cute albeit old and broken beach cruiser out there, and was happy to see my neighbor riding around on it just a few hours later. He didn't care that the chain fell off every few minutes, and I was glad to see him enjoy it. But that gets missed when you drop off your stuff at a thrift store; it's stuff you supposedly don't want, but still - you want someone to want it! This is why I decided to have a garage sale. If we didn't have a center divider, at least we could try to sell some of our things to good homes, and then give away the rest to oblivion.
     Extremely hot weather this week, and the fact that Jordi would be around on Saturday, prompted me to plan the sale for this weekend. We made signs, recruited other people's old stuff, and made coffee and coffee cake to sell as well.
    Early Saturday morning brought cold winds and ominous clouds. As soon as we finished loading our things onto the driveway, we heard rattling thunder, and the clouds turned into angry bursts of rain. RAIN??!! Really?? Come on! And not sprinkling - fat and fast pellets. Yes, while it was almost too hot to sit at the beach two days ago, I was now wearing my Uggs, soaking and freezing. Unfortunately neither vengeance, passive aggression nor any other methods work in revenging the weather, although I was racking my brain trying to think of something as we pulled our stuff from the driveway into the carport area.
    Luckily we have a carport, and were able to squish all our stuff back there. A few times throughout the morning the thunder came roaring the the rain came pounding. I hardly see it rain that hard in the winter! Apparently there was even hail in some parts of the town. I could not believe that hot weather could turn into this without any warning - these thundershowers weren't on the news or forecasts, no one expected them! Plus, there's nothing I like better than being cozy in bed at 6 a.m. during a good rain. But I was not in bed. I was standing in the middle of it, quite miserably, way too early on a Saturday morning. While Jordi thought it was hilarious, I thought I would cry, but we both shivered and sat through it. We were not going to give up - not after all the work of putting up signs, making coffeecake, and going through our closets the night before!
     When the rain subsided, people did venture over. Not one single person actually bought the coffee or coffee cake, so I was giving it away. The number one thing about garage sales that makes me mad is that although almost everything at a sale is a good deal, some people will go through everything asking to pay half of whatever I say - this is not only annoying, but rude. There are some things that we just want to get rid of no matter what, but there are other things that I would rather keep than sell to an ungrateful bargain hunter, and it can feel quite demeaning not to mention depressing to deal with some of these garage-salers. There's also the great garage-salers who take piles of the most random stuff and seem glad to do it, pay the asking price, or at least are polite in asking for something lower.
     At the end of the day, we made $100 exactly, and still had a good amount to take to the thrift store. Getting rid of our stuff was good, and $100 is nice, but I still have a distinct notion that I never, ever ever want to have another garage sale. Especially during a freak thunderstorm.
     I'm not sure what another option would be - but I would rather give my things to people who will appreciate them than auction them off to the lowest bidder. What are your garage sale experiences and is having a sale worth it to you? Besides a garage sale or thrift store, what are other options?

Music Under the Stars

In a last minute, last ditch attempt to have a date on a Saturday night, after a long and hectic week, we were scouring our brains and the internet for something of interest. Through word of mouth, we stumbled upon something - a concert series at the Mission in San Juan Capistrano called Music Under the Stars, that happens on Saturdays throughout the summer. We couldn't get too much information off the internet, so we decided to just go over there and check it out.

    We hurriedly put together a ramshackle picnic consisting of half a bottle of wine and the crumbs of a bag of chips - it was the end of the week and we were obviously not prepared for a picnic. Anyways, we grabbed a blanket as well, and ran out the door. As we screeched up to the Mission an hour after the festivities had started, I ran up to the window and asked if there were any more tickets. There were, just lawn seating though. "That's fine, how much is it?" $25 a piece! I was a bit dismayed at this news - $50 for us to go sit on the grass? But I love the big Mission, and I could see through the gate to the magical lights and beautiful gardens, and hear the fun music inside. Besides, it would be the same cost if not less, than dinner and a movie - and it would be something new. So we decided to go for it. Walking in through the gardens into the lights and music,  I was instantly glad about our decision.

     For those of you who have never been to the Mission in San Juan Capistrano, it's one of the biggest and most beautiful missions I've ever seen. A huge plaza, brick walls showing through the cracked stucco, archways, rose gardens and fountains - it makes me wish I lived in an hacienda back in the day, with fresh tortillas and fiestas and chickens running around. But for that nights festivities it was the summer fresh watermelon, a steel drum band, and older people dancing around.

     I don't know where the people our age were, but they were not at this concert. Which is too bad, because along with the fun ambiance, the music was awesome and the dancing (by the professional dancers) was impressive. The dancing by the rest of the generation or two above us was pretty zealous and entertaining. During an intermission, we ended up running to a taco stand in a strip mall across the street (old chips and wine apparently did not suffice), bringing it back to enjoy with the second half of the show. Eating our picnic of the most delicious albeit lardy Mexican food ever, listening to reggae, watching the dancing, and exploring the mission - all under a balmy summer evening - was a fantastic way to spend an impromptu date night.

     Although there is only one more Music Under the Stars concert this summer, I definitely encourage you to go - if not Saturday, September 3 then next summer! If you buy tickets early enough, you can get a group of friends together and split the cost of a table. It can be a great deal for a talented concert in the Mission Plaza, with your friends and a fancy picnic. Of course, cheap Mexican food and lawn seating is pretty good too!

Berkeley

Sandwiches from CREAM

Clock tower at UCB

Part of the produce section at the Berkeley Bowl

View from the Hills on a hazy day

     Berkeley has so much diversity, I can't even begin to name it all - but I'll try.  It's a big city with a BART station, business men and an incredible variety of restaurants.  It's a college town where hipsters and hippies meet and rigorous academics spill into tie-dye t-shirts and religious pot smoking.  It's a family town with bike lanes, shady streets and adorable single-family bungalows - and the biggest co-op grocery store I've ever seen!  In it's proximity to San Francisco, Berkeley is urban, with big city amenities such as great public transportation and vibrant culture.  But Berkeley is also rural - deer and squirrels galavant in the hills, quiet jogging trails loop around the lake in the wilderness of Tilden Regional Park and cyclists whoosh under canopied trees.

     As I stood on the deck of the classy 70's cabin where we were staying with our friends in the Berkeley Hills, I saw blue jays and hummingbirds in the pines and conifers, a deer darting underneath us, and curious squirrels getting a peek at us. But just lifting my gaze from the forest scene below, I could see over the trees to the city spilling out into the Bay, the Bay Bridge connecting to the outline of cityscape, and the Golden Gate Bridge hiding in the haze. It was amazing - and a perfect example of the dichotomy that is Berkeley.

     After a day in San Francisco, we got off the BART station in downtown Berkeley, popping out of the subterranean on Shattuck Avenue, one of the many enclaves of Berkeley. We wandered up and down, looking at fun shops and interesting restaurants. Feeling a tad hungry ourselves, we stopped in at a liquor store advertising sandwiches, burritos and curry. Something for everyone; how could we resist?  For a couple bucks we ordered steaming fresh Indian food from the Mexican man at the counter, who recommended the spinach and potato curry. As we sat on the little stools at the counter eating our steaming Aloo Saag and listening to Mariachi, I thought I had never been anywhere quite like this cornucopia of authenticity. 

     I was surprised and excited at all the different enclaves we saw in Berkeley. Driving into town from the Hills, we passed through a cute area I later found out was called the Gourmet Ghetto. This is the area where a pizza restaurant called the Cheeseboard Collective makes only one type of fresh vegetarian pizza for the day, and the line usually runs out the door, but daily live music makes the wait enjoyable. The original Peets Coffee is located in this "ghetto", as well as the legendary Chez Panisse, founded by Alice Waters, creator of the "slow food" movement.
     University of California, Berkeley is known throughout the world for it's prestige, but what you won't know unless you go is that it's beautiful as well. Any trip to Berkeley should incorporate a walk around the grounds, which include old brick buildings, big leafy trees, quiet sidewalks, amazing architecture, and the learning/doing/active vibe found on any great campus. The university streams out onto Telegraph Avenue, the college kids' downtown area. Thrift stores, street vendors, cheap ethnic food and hand blown bongs galore! Telegraph is laid back but exciting, a little gritty and a feast for the senses.
    As we walked along, I kept noticing people eating delicious looking ice cream sandwiches, sparking an instant craving. When we ran into a line that was out the building and around the corner, I looked up at the sign to see what the hullabaloo was about,  and in big letters was C.R.E.A.M. - Cookies Rule Everything Around Me.  "Get in Line!" I yelled, as I grabbed my husband and squeezed into place. I didn't care that ice cream usually makes me sick, this looked like something we couldn't miss. The line moved fairly quickly, and once inside I saw that you could have your choice of a variety of vegan or regular cookies and a variety of soy or regular ice cream. I got cherry chocolate chip soy ice cream on a double chocolate chip cookie - it was divine! (Although the ice cream was soy, the cookies were intense and I still suffered slightly afterwards).
     After our $2 treats, we regrettably ran into some guy who was deciding to put a still-living-but-almost-roadkill rat out of it's misery with some iron tool, preaching his humanity while girls screamed and I turned right out of there as I heard the clang - enough Telegraph Ave for one stomach!
     We walked around Shattuck some more, which is just one street over from Telegraph, and then made our way to  College Avenue (parallel to Telegraph on the other side) to find a pizza place my aunt had recommended. Once again we were astounded when we entered a whole new downtown area, bustling with activity, and even more shops and restaurants to explore. We finally found Zachary's Pizza, in Rockridge - the area of College Ave bordering Oakland. There's another area of College Ave closer to the University called Elmwood, but we unfortunately didn't get a chance to walk around there. We successfully ordered a pizza in the loud busy joint, but still feeling the CREAM bombs, we opted for thin crust even though Chicago style is their specialty. Zachary's definition of thin crust is most people's definition of soft and chewy, but it was warm and spectacular. We headed back up to the house on the hill, sharing our pizza with friends and watching the glorious sunset over the forest and city beneath us. That was our last night in Berkeley, and the end to a fantastic weekend in the Bay Area. I didn't feel like I had nearly enough time in this interesting, cute and eclectic town - next time I can't wait to check out the many places we passed by or heard of, (or wrote about!) but didn't get to visit. What's one of your favorite things about Berkeley?

Special thanks to contributors and Berkeley lovers:
Melanie Wasserman
Lauren Baker
Laura Pertl
Jay Kurtzman

Sonoma - Tastings and Tents

Become your own vintner

Saturday afternoon at Raymond Burr

Lake Sonoma

Although I've seen Sonoma on wine labels before, I didn't know much about the region except that it was somewhere by Napa. When we went up to the bay area this last weekend, our friends wanted to take us wine tasting in Sonoma. Although I've always wondered what Napa was like, they assured us Sonoma was quieter, cheaper and just as delicious, if not more so, than it's acclaimed neighbor. So we headed out from Berkeley on a clear Saturday morning, only to slam into traffic somewhere north of the Richmond Bridge. We inched our way up through Santa Rosa and smoothly sailed into Dry Creek Valley. The scenery became stunning - rolling green hills, hot blue skies and leafy vineyards on all sides. Our first stop was at Francis Ford Coppola's vineyard right off the highway. Yes, the man who directed Apocalypse Now loves to make wine - and the tasting room looks like a tiny museum dedicated to that iconic film. Tastings were $5 or $10, depending on which menu you selected, and the 

The pool and Grill at Francis Ford Coppola

View from main balcony at Ferrari

wine was good. However, what set this vineyard apart from anything else I've seen (besides the museum factor) was that Coppola apparently wanted his vineyard to be a family retreat of sorts. Besides vineyards and movie paraphernalia, Coppola boasts a large pool with a lifeguard, cabanas available for daily rental, poolside bar and grill and live music on the weekends. This "family friendly vineyard" is where membership doesn't just include good deals on wine, but a family fun park pass as well. An interesting concept, but a little much for us, and we hit the road to explore more vineyards and search for a campsite. We planned on camping at Lake Sonoma, a gorgeous man-made lake just north of all the vineyards we were driving through. We finally found Liberty Glen campgrounds on the south end of the lake, where we staked a claim on a site and ate a quick lunch.  Heading back down into the vineyards, we couldn't resist stopping at the fancy-looking Ferrari winery.

This is more like it! Tasting room at David Coffaro

The Ferrari family owns a casino in Las Vegas, and the huge grounds and mansions of this winery seemed to attribute that fact. Here the wine was fine, (tastings: $5 - $15) but walking around the estate was quite an experience. Although Ferrari was fun to see, we hightailed it out of there in search of something less showy.

We found a few more great little wineries before heading back to our campsite. First was David Coffaro, hidden somewhere along Dry Creek Road, with the office and barrel room doubling as the tasting room. As we casually enjoyed our sips, we even met David Coffaro when he hurried into the room in his work clothes, said hello to us while grabbing a gardening tool, and hurried out again.

Liberty Glen Campgrounds

We also enjoyed Preston winery, which had the most amazing olive oil from olives grown and pressed on the property and delicious home-made sourdough bread for sale, along with great wine. Raymond Burr vineyard was tucked away off a tiny road, with beautiful views and a picnic area where they often host events and summer barbeque's. Tastings were free and the attendants very friendly.
We made it back to the campground with plenty of daylight left to enjoy the summer evening and explore the beautiful grounds. The campground sits on top of a hill overlooking the lake, and has a few loops of campsites, which serve as great jogging or walking paths. Ten dollars a night and rarely full, most of the sites consist of a table, fire pit and tent spot, with leafy trees and great views. We thought there would be no running water and maybe a port-o-john, but about half the spouts were working and there were also some primitive toilets.
After the chill and fog of the bay, camping under the full moon in the warm night was a welcome treat.   As soon as we somewhat successfully brewed some crude coffee in the morning, we headed back down the mountain, slowly making our way back to the highway via the meandering and scenic back lanes. We encountered countless bikers out for a morning ride, and I have to admit I was extremely envious of their beautiful rolling ride. If I'm ever in that area again, I'm bringing my bike!

On our way back to Berkeley, we stopped at a little town called Healdsburge, located right off the 101.  This European-like village has a green grassy park as the town square, shops and restaurants on every side, and shady streets which make strolling enjoyable. After perusing the main streets, we found a French bakery and cafe with the most amazing baked goods selection, and delicious breakfasts. It was cute and bright, and completely crowded on a Sunday morning. While I could have easily stayed a few more days in this adorable town I had never heard of before, we walked back to the car and continued our journey onwards. After a wonderful and relaxing weekend - complete with camping off the beaten path, sampling delicious wines from friendly vineyards, and french fare in a cute square - I can't wait to come back. Sonoma may be the road less traveled, but isn't that exactly what makes it more enjoyable?