Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Ocean Beach, Wildlife Refuge, and Point Loma

San Diego Metro KOA
Chula Vista, CA
January 2019

Ocean Beach 
Having visited this colorful neighborhood a couple of years ago with Lisa and Hans, we had an idea of what to expect and where to go at Ocean Beach.  Unfortunately, OB Municipal Pier was closed for repair from damage caused by strong winds and waves.
At 1,971 feet, OB Pier is the longest concrete pier on the West coast.  




 The tide was just right for a walk along the trail.  A small section of the trail is concrete.  Erosion has caused so much damage.










A different view of the Pier... 


 









Small cottages and bungalows line the narrow streets of this beachfront neighborhood.  






























It was news to us that wild parrots are also part of the OB (and other urban beach communities in SD) culture.  Native to northern Mexico, it is believed these colorful birds came to California in search of a suitable habitat as areas of Mexico became deforested.  Food is plentiful...they survive on seeds, nectar, and fruit from tropical trees and shrubs.



Lunch at the beach is a real treat...especially when oysters are on the menu.  








In addition to 6 on the half shell, the days special was a fried oyster po-boy.  Yummy !



San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge


SD Bay NWR is located at the south end of SD near Chula Vista. Approximately 2,600 acres of land and water not only protects a diversity of migratory and native species of birds, but also protects what remains of SD Bay's historical coastal salt marsh and intercostal mudflat.  
The largest contiguous mudflat in So Cal.








Cabrillo National Monument/Point Loma


In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was the first European to set foot on what is now California.  



 This sandstone statue stands 14 feet tall,  weighs 14,000 pounds, and was dedicated in 1988.  

The park was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.    


In addition to a great story lesson, the park is also home to a wealth of natural resources.  Bayside Trail was our reason for visiting the park.  It's a beautiful 2.5 mile hike with great views of the bay, Ballast Point (where Cabrillo landed), the skyline of San Diego, sandstone cliffs, and plant and animal life.


 



 There is also WWII history along the trail.



When we arrived at the park it was sunny!
The park is also home to one of eight original West Coast lighthouses.  The first lighthouse on Point Loma was in operation from 1855 to 1891.



Low-lying fog rolled in during the morning.  
The lighthouse was built on the highest point at Point Loma. It soon became apparent that low-lying fog obscured the light that shone above the fog bank making it useless.





After some fresh air, fresh seafood hit the spot.  









Known as "The Freshest Thing in Town" Point Loma Seafoods offers a huge selection of fresh caught fish.



Shrimp tacos 

You can choose to dine inside or outside.  But whichever you choose, don't forget Kelly's famous lemonade.  They also make their own sourdough bread.





That's a wrap on our San Diego visit.  We have been settled in at the Lazydays KOA since Feb 1.  The weather has not been all that great with cold nights and breezy, rainy chilly days, but we are visiting with friends, getting things done and necessary appointments taken care of.  More on that later.  

I'll close with a few random pictures from January.  Until next time...


Ocean Beach color...





The marina at Point Loma Seafoods


Quirky art at Ocean Beach

Ummm...


...nope!







Point Loma


Bayside Trail at Cabrillo NM


































Galley At the Marina in Chula Vista for a sunset and fish and chips.


HAPPY TRAILS !

14 comments:

  1. Looks like you hit several of the go to spots! Enjoy your stay in Tucson!

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    1. It’s always a fun time in San Diego Hans! And great to get an “ocean fix” after all the desert time.

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  2. You two really do San Diego right! You were out of town in time to miss the worst of the 'pineapple express', in a turn of events I was scrapping ice of my windshield this morning!

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    1. We love SD Jeff. Looks like we will be scrapping ice in the morning as well.

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  3. We so enjoy spending time in OB. It is a perfect distance for a good bike ride. I guess that's why we find ourselves there so often when in SD. After your posted about the pier damage on fb, I looked up some video of the waves and damage. Why that was crazy. Of course, there were a few surfers out in that mess. Your photos are lovely, Gay. I am glad you included the puppies. Poor Jack just isn't tall enough to get that ball. And Sally is a smart girl. She isn't going head first. Dover loves a good scratch from dad.

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    1. Thank you Pam...it’s definitely easy to fine lots to photograph in San Diego. The puppies really enjoy our time there between the beach and the doggie park at the KOA.

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  4. So many lovely sights around coastal SD, you captured them beautifully!

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  5. Well now you've done it. The food pics got my tummy growling. :)
    Box Canyon

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    1. LOL! One thing we really like about a city Mark...so many great places to eat!

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  6. Love your photos as always and it looks as if you had lots of sun! Your pooches are adorable!

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  7. Beautiful pics as always. The birds are wonderful as is the handsome blue belly lizard. Your pups are such cuties - love the focused stare to get the ball to come down on its own :-) Glad you got some sunshine in this crazy winter in the west!

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