San Diego

Memorial Day weekend, May 25th. We set off down the coast to San Diego for the weekend. The city has a busy harbour and bustling downtown area with plenty of bars, restaurants and a holiday atmosphere. All within walking distance which makes it very different to Los Angeles.  Reminded us of Brighton...but bigger.

On Sunday we visited the very impressive San Diego Zoo. Featuring all the big stars of the animal kingdom and some unexpected ones too...

San Diego harbor and the USS Midway 

Tapirs at the San Diego Zoo

These hippos were enjoying their playtime

Leopard...taking it easy

Loved seeing this Orangutan so close up.

Leo Carillo state park

Santa Clarita valley hike

Santa Monica's highest peak

In early March we hiked to the top of Sandstone Peak, which is the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains. At 3000 feet it's quite a view and not recommended for those who suffer from vertigo!

Windswept!

Stepping up the hikes

Two more fantastic blog entries to feast your eyes on. This time, hikes in Temescal and La Jolla Canyon. Featuring lizards, rocks shaped like skulls and even more stupendous views. The hiking bug has well and truly taken hold...

Temescal Canyon. 

A 5.5mile loop starting just off Sunset Blvd.

The trail was very busy, thankfully on the way down and not up. 

Lizards scurried across the trail path. This was one of the smaller ones.

The trail leads to 'Skull Rock' 

The view from beside the 'skull'

Looking down on Pacific Palisades

Skull Rock was eerie and magnificent

La Jolla Canyon 

This 6 mile loop trail starts further up the coastline, at the very western end of the Santa Monica Mountains. So different to Temescal Canyon, with wide grassy plains and very few hikers.

The trail took us through a cool and shady canyon

The mountains stretched far behind us

Grassy plains...we're a bit early for spring wildflower season so may go back sometime

Sweeping views of the ocean on our way back to the start