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!