shoreline – the suite life of travel

After a long day of hiking in Poway, my friends and I decided to spend the rest of the afternoon in La Jolla, an exclusive, upscale suburb of San Diego. La Jolla means “the Jewel” in Spanish which is befitting its name with perfect weather year around, high end fashion boutiques, picturesque coastal bluffs and a scenic seaside.

My favorite hangout is La Jolla Cove, a sandy beach inlet with crystal clear water. This beautiful harbor is also home to sea lion colonies, pesky pelicans and gorgeous blue Brandt’s Cormorants. I enjoyed the time I spent at the beach, watching the noisy sea lions bark for a spot on the rocks. More often than not I would stroll out to the craggy coastline to watch them fight for their small piece of high end real estate. Along the beach, there is a small, cave-like cluster of rocks where I could have a much closer view of the seals. The opening into the cove provides a perfect frame for some amazing wildlife photography.

Often times I would check out the walking path above the cove where I could take in the dramatic cliffs. The stunning views of the shoreline and the cove below are the reason why some refer to this area as the California Riviera.

We decided to stop for drinks at Duke’s La Jolla, to enjoy the views of the upper level which look out into the Pacific. We thought about booking tickets at the La Jolla Playhouse or even playing a round of golf at Torrey Pines Golf Course, but since we were celebrating my friend Kristy’s birthday, we made reservations at George’s at the Cove which gave us plenty of time to stroll Prospect Street with its upscale shops and boutiques.

I never tire of the scenery at La Jolla cove, nor strolling the streets of its downtown. This is truly a Southern California paradise.

Have you had the opportunity to visit La Jolla, California? What are your favorite restaurants and shops? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave your message in the comments section below! Many Thanks for checking out my fun evening in La Jolla and wishing you many Happy Travels!

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What to See and What to Do:

La Jolla Cove – stroll the beaches and check out the amazing wildlife at The Cove!

La Jolla By the Sea – explore the boutique shops and enjoy a fabulous meal in La Jolla!

Where to Stay:

La Jolla Cove Hotel & Suites
1155 Coast Blvd.
La Jolla, CA 92037
Telephone: 858 459 2621

Where to Eat:

George’s at the Cove
1250 Prospect Street
La Jolla, CA 92037
Telephone: 858 454 4244

Duke’s La Jolla
1216 Prospect Street
La Jolla, CA 92037
Telephone: 858 454 5888

What to Eat:

Mexican cuisine, especially tamales
California wood-fired pizza
Southeast Asian foods
Sushi
Seafood
Local Wines

What to Read:

The Dawn Patrol, by Don Winslow
San Diego Noir, by Maryelizabeth Hart
I So Don’t Do Mysteries, by Barrie Summy
Under the Perfect Sun: The San Diego Tourists Never See, by Mike Davis

Photo Guide for La Jolla and nearby San Diego:

La Jolla Cove
Downtown La Jolla
The Botanical Building and Lily Pond at Balboa Park
Greetings from San Diego mural on the sidewall of Belching Beaver Brewery
Sunset Cliffs
Old Town San Diego

Visiting my brother and his family over the Labor Day Weekend, my parents rented a camper for the drive to Butler County, northern Pennsylvania. They parked the RV at a campsite near Moraine State Park for afternoon hikes and fishing.

The Saturday before the holiday, we decided to hike the Sunken Garden Trail at the nearby state park. The hike is located on the southern side of Lake Arthur, one of the largest man-made lakes in Pennsylvania. Marked with blue blazes, there are three different trail options ranging between 2 to 3 1/2 miles.

The children were more excited about the hike than the adults, but their energy made it just as fun for us. Pointing out cattails, tiny orange flower and tall trees, no one was in a hurry to complete the easy nature walk.

After a short distance, we crossed over a small bridge.

We were surrounded by thick trees enjoying the shade.

On a few occasions we would catch a glimpse of the lake.

Colorful flowers bloomed along small sections of sand where the waves from the lake lapped the shoreline. A man and his two children had brought fishing poles in hopes of catching Walleye, Crappie and Largemouth Bass.

From here we noticed Pleasant Valley Beach on the opposite side of the lake. A family or two had set up blankets and lounge chairs as a couple of children were wading in the shallow end.

We approached the marshy area and heard a couple of frogs croaking under the vegetation. Just across the marsh, we could see the boat dock and parking areas so we knew it wouldn’t be long until we had finished the hike.

Overall, we had a wonderful hike at the Sunken Garden Trail with the children and had worked up an appetite, so it was time to return to the campground to make some lunch.

Have you visited Moraine State Park and hiked the trails? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about our family day at the park and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Moraine State Park
225 Pleasant Valley Road
Portersville, PA 16051
Telephone: 724 368 8811

Where to Stay

Smith Grove Camp Grounds
1085 Herman Road
Butler, PA 16002
Telephone: 724 285 3600

Where to Eat:

Reclamation Brewing Company
221 South Main Street
Butler, PA 16001
Telephone: 724 790 4370

Loved their pizza and beer mac-n-cheese!

What to Eat: