Surf's Up in San Diego

The surf was up, today, way up.

There were surf advisories last night and today the beaches were crowded with surfers and lots of folks taking in the views of the bigger than normal waves.

I stopped by Cardiff and then Swami's beach in Encinitas to check out the scene.

You can read more about my visit today and view a video taken at Cardiff State Beach of the surf.

A Visual Tour of Southern California

I have now lived here in Carlsbad for about 2 and 1/2 years. It's hard to believe that much time has gone by.

I have collected lots of photos from the San Diego area, as well as from other trips to nearby locations and thought I would share them as MY view of California. Hope you enjoy them.

A Great Donut Place and Bakery in Cardiff, CA

I am a bit of a foodie, as I probably have mentioned (and you may have gathered from some of the stuff I write about). I don't eat fast food, but I have a definite soft spot for desserts, especially chocolate. And good restaurants in general tend to appeal to me - dining out is a favorite activity, which I have tried to do as much as possible since arriving here almost 2 years ago (this April).

Regarding sweets, I discovered a great place in Cardiff (yes, those of you who know about it may laugh, but it was new for me, so I get to write about it!) on the advice of a good friend. And coincidentally, there was a great article in this past weekend's paper on the place.

Probably best known for its donuts, VG (people I know just refer to it as VG's), just off San Elijo and a block north of Chesterfield, has earned a notable reputation for its donuts, and other treats. Established back in 1966, it is known far and wide, and is a popular spot for residents to drop in for coffee and donuts - surfers, families, business folks, tourists and day trippers, campers from San Elijo, and so on.

We recently had a cake from VG's with raspberry filling and a white chocolate frosting that was simply divine. Good thing it is a few miles from my house in Carlsbad, or I would be there weekly, or more frequently.

If you haven't been there, make a trip it is absolutely worth it. If you have, you know what I mean. Here's to sweets.

Cardiff, CA - Take a Tour of this Great Beach Town

I love living in Carlsbad, and chose to live here for a number of reasons.

But I also like Cardiff (formally, Cardiff-By-The-Sea), a charming coastal community just south of Encinitas (and 20 miles north of San Diego), and can see myself living there as well, provided I could afford to buy an ocean view home...not likely. In any case, I like showing and selling homes there, and just completed a marketing piece about the area for folks who are interested in the town and pondering a move there, or who are just curious about the area. And perhaps some of you live there, or know the town, already.

Here's the link to the Cardiff tour. If you have any feedback, or there are some other exceptional things we should all know that I did not mention, please let me know.

North County, San Diego? Or San Diego North

So which is it? North County? Or San Diego North?

It was really confusing to me when we moved here in 2005 and settled in Carlsbad. Everyone referred to the area as North County, and until I looked into it I thought it was a separate county. I know it's not. So what does North County refer to?? What towns are included and which ones are not? I think this is still a confusing issue. But I have a general idea.

I understand where it developed from. With the rapid growth of towns like Oceanside, Encinitas, Cardiff, Carlsbad, Escondido and other "suburbs" of San Diego following the 5 being built, and with many towns (also including Del Mar, Solana Beach) becoming incorporated beginning in the 50s, it became common to refer to the northern reaches of the county as North County.

I recently read an article in the San Diego Magazine that talked quite a bit about this area and its growth. There is now a push to refer to the area as San Diego North to better link the region to the rest of the county. This push is coming from Cami Mattson Director of the San Diego North Convention and Visitors Bureau. The article talks about her branding of our region as an area for resorts such as those found in Santa Barbara and Laguna Beach (guess they are referring to places like Aviara and La Costa, to name a few). So the pressure for referring to the area as San Diego North is part of this branding effort, as I understand it.

I don't know that it makes a difference. And it really doesn't matter to me. I am just getting used to calling the area North County so I'm not sure I can change that readily. And I'm not convinced it really will make a difference to the economics of the area - perhaps in the advertising. We'll see.

So what do you think? Does the name North County confuse you? What about renaming the area? Do you even care? I'd love to hear what you think.

Surfing

Let me say it right up front - I am not a surfer. Nor is it likely I will ever step onto a surfboard, despite having moved to a part of the country where it is so popular, and so much in evidence daily.

As a casual observer, I have to admit the whole surfing culture fascinates me. And since I don't surf, I don't expect to understand, or really appreciate, the influence that surfing has had here. While surfing is popular back East where I used to live, especially in some areas (such as on Cape Cod in Massachusetts), it does not have the kind of impact that is so apparent here, nor is there the history associated with the growth of the sport which Southern California is known for.

Surfing has been a part of the growth of a number of coastal towns (Encinitas, especially Leucadia, Cardiff, and Carlsbad, as well as more southerly towns including Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach) for decades. There are numerous surfing shops scattered along the coast, as well as restaurants that cater to the surfing enthusiast. And learning how to surf has become big business, as witnessed by the many instructors and surfing schools for kids and adults.

For those of you have have not been here, it is common to see surfers at every time of the day, and every day, scattered along Highway 101 and other local streets, making use of the many beaches known for the best surfing - Swami's in Encinitas being just one example. And there is a huge environmental component, with erosion causing problems with many of the area's beaches, and the growth of the Surfrider Organization, dedicated to the preservation of, and access to, beaches here and elsewhere in the world.

I love this aspect of being in San Diego, even though I have no interest in climbing on a surfboard. It's a large part of what makes Southern California such a popular place to live and enjoy the beaches and beautiful weather that we sometimes take for granted. While you may not be an enthusiast, you have to appreciate the tremendous influence, and the daily presence, of surfing in our area. And admire those who take surfing so seriously.