Saturday Road Trip...Newport Beach!

We spent the day driving over the Ortega Highway and then down into Newport Beach...Alan with me as his assistant, re keyed a small but very nice condo about a mile or so from the beach..it was a pretty condo complex......there was a golf course behind the complex and it was landscaped beautifully...here are a few photos, starting with Lake Elsinore in winter and then the complex grounds...they are all clickable in case you want a closer look...












We both thought it would be a nice place to retire to....they have a gym, pool and spa...the condos have fireplaces, granite countertops, lovely tiled bathroom, and your own washer/dryer. Very pretty area too.
After we decided to drive down to the beach and pier as we hadn't been there before. It was rather crowded parking but once we found a spot...and walked to the sand, it was fantastic.
Here are a few photos of what we saw and enjoyed...the smell of the ocean was so fresh and the sky was very clear.
The above photo was taken from the NewPort Pier....thought it was interesting with the ocean, palm trees and the snowy mountains in the background.

Looking back from the end of the pier...everyone was bundled up a little although it was a warm day, the strong breeze was cold. There was alot of fishing going on but it didn't seem like they were not catching much.


This brown pelican was so used to people, he just sat patiently on the rail, waiting for handouts...looked like he was posing...



A few surfers were trying their luck...



In the distance we could see several islands, and fishing boats....

No lifeguards this time of year!

This pier isn't as long as the Oceanside pier where I grew up with but it had its good points. The beach wasn't crowded now but in the summer, you can barely find a patch of sand to lay your blanket. It was very clean though and lots of nice white sand...Oceanside has trouble losing their sand and have to import it every few years....

Small breakwater to the north and more of the channel islands....

There are lots of cute little boutiques, shops, coffee houses, and fish restaurants right down by the water.....as it was so cool out, many were taking refuge inside, enjoying the day.


Going home, we wanted to stop at that cute little candy store at the top of the mountain...those of you have read my blog before, know which one I mean, but it was closed for the holidays...sadly, Alan didn't get any of his favorite chocolates but I didn't feel too sorry for him as he had gotten two boxes of See's new sugar free chocolate covered almonds and walnuts..plus a box of dark chocolate bars!
We came home to a peaceful house and Matt had even vaccumed the carpets for me which was very nice......plus he cleaned his room! Not bad for a 17 year old....