I haven't quite recovered my bounce since then, which is perhaps why I so thoroughly appreciated the serenity and beauty we found at San Elijo State Beach. This campground, located smack between Encinitas and Cardiff by the Sea, in N. San Diego County, contains some of the prettiest coastline we've enjoyed yet here in S. California.
The shorter, colder days of Daylight Standard time pretty much ends dry camping season for us, so between November and March we prefer to stay at campgrounds and RV parks offering electric and water hookups. San Elijo State Beach actually has a good number of hookup sites, but just a small handful of them are located along the scenic bluff, so when I saw a multi night mid-December opening at the best hookup, bluff site in the park, I grabbed it.
With the assistance of Google search, and Yelp, I came up with several days worth of hikes, walks and restaurants to enjoy and visit. A search of the weather leading up to our trip indicated rain on one day, so we planned a stay-dry driving trip into the nearby San Diego valley wine region for wine tasting. The other days promised, and delivered, sunshine, so we ditched the car, and either walked or hiked to where we wanted to go.
Our spend for this five day getaway included several noteworthy dining treats, all researched extensively on Yelp, and all outstanding in their respective classes:
- San Elijo State Park water & electric site for 4 nights/5 days: $268
- Gas: $42
- Food: No change from what we'd spend if at home
- Ice for our portable cooler (where we keep our produce): $2.14
- Wine tasting: $10 Bernardo Winery, $10 Orfila Winery
- Three course gourmet lunch for two at Cafe Merlot: $44
- Pineapple-Chili Margaritas, Chips, Salsa and Nachos at Las Olas: $20.25
- Breakfast for two at Pipes Cafe: $10.99
- Two delicious donuts from VG Donut & Bakery: $1.88
- Hiking through San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve, scenic walk through Encinitas, sunset viewing, dolphin and surfer watching, socializing around the campfire, and Cribbage match: Free!
- TOTAL FOR FIVE DAYS/FOUR NIGHTS: $409.26
It was a wonderful, gloriously beautiful getaway, and we hope to make it an annual December get-away event. We also had the pleasure of meeting up with a wonderful couple, Terry and LuAnn, full time RV'ers that blog about their adventures at Paint Your Landscape. Check it out when you have a few minutes . . . they've led an amazing life in retirement so far!
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| The serene Self Realization Center's meditation gardens in Encinitas. |
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| A Cardiff by the Sea breakfast institution. |
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| Scenic views along the seaside pedestrian walkway. |
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| Two unique boat houses in Encinitas! |
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| The charming and delicious Cafe Merlot at Bernardo Winery. |
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| Bernardo Winery's cozy tasting room. |
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| Too good an opportunity to pass up! This was at Orfila Winery. |
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| The gorgeous coastal view from out campsite. |
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| Sunset viewings |
Tamara & Mike, So excited to have met the two of you. I believe people come into our lives for a reason, although we may not know why at the time. It was such a joy to spend time with you both. Thanks for re-introducing me to cribbage. We will be heading out to purchase a board very soon. Perhaps we will get the opportunity to visit again before we leave SD. Have a blessed Christmas.
ReplyDeleteIt made our trip even more outstanding than it would have been otherwise! It was fun to go visiting!
DeleteHoping for one more meetup before you two take off for parts yonder!
Hi Tamara and Mike,
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog through Terry and Mike's Paint Your Landscape Blog. I signed up to follow you by e-mail.
Susan (& Bob)
Welcome Susan, and thank you for your comment! I took a peek at your blog, and it looks fun! I'm excited to read more of it over the next few days. I like the life you are living based on what I've read thus far. :-)
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