Oceanside & the Pacific Ocean

After visiting Sprouts Farmers Market Supermarket - loved it - we moved into our first Airbnb Apartment in North Coast Village, Oceanside, famed for its endless beach and world-class surf. The balcony faced south towards the pier - the longest wooden one on the western US coastline - and a 2 minute walk took us to near pale, sugary sand and a much anticipated paddle in the Pacific Ocean.

Chris estimated that the water was about 16 degrees and we could tell why the many surfers wore wetsuits, as well as stopping the board rubbing skin as he found out on a surf lesson. The waves were impressive and very loud, but the beach was quiet; for us, this was a great beach day but for the locals, it was out of season. The resort had a heated and large spa pools and surrounded by tropical landscaped gardens it proved a great place to chill.

Over the next few days, I walked, swum, ate and explored and I have recorded many things about American life that I thought I knew or have been surprised by. Chris joined me when he could. Notable food has been Battered Shrimp Tacos at a Mexican Street Food bar, Elvis French Toast (a curious but gorgeous mix of peanut butter, banana and bacon) and Handels ice-cream (didnt try the Pumpkin!) as well as craft beer for Chris (loads of micro breweries here) and Coors Light for me.

 

The flora was dramatic and the landscaped gardens featured palms and exotics with little evidence of Fall, given its Mediterranean climate and the fact that most plants are evergreen. The planted containers have given me new ideas!

I had an enjoyable visit to California Surf Museum, where I was given a guided tour by 2 of the original surfers at the start of the surf culture movement in the 50s and 60s. I learned about wave development, the advent of the bikini, swim baggies and surf music and how it helped change post-war youth culture. I consider myself an expert now - just ask me about Point Breaks, long and short boards and Gabriel Modina - but only from an armchair as California surfing is far too scary for me. I also saw Bethany Hamilton's original board with the Tiger Shark bite that took her arm (we'd watched the film, Soul Surfer, a few years go); she still went on to be one of the best surfers in the world.