Camping in the OC

We did a bit of research and found a couple great state beaches we wanted to stay in. First stop Encinitas. This is a very cool little surfing town known for their big waves and laid back culture. We pitched our tent for the evening and went down to the beach to have a look at the southern Californian sunset. It did not dissapoint.

We never spent much time there the following day apart from pizza for lunch, and time on the phone trying to organise a new rental car for the rest of our trip, when that job was done we headed for Dana Point California, to our next stop.

Dana Point is just down the road from Laguna Beach which is a fantastic little village. It has a very European feel to it and the cafes and boutiques make the walks through the streets thoroughly entertaining. With all these fine restaurants here, we decided to go to a diner....?? Well it was in our budget, but please if you are ever in Laguna, don't go to Johnny Rockets, it was terrible.

We ended that evening off with a trip to the cinema. I love these old movie houses in the US with the ticket and concession stands just how they are in the movies you know (you can see i'm loving California a little too much). Watched 'Juno' which was quite good, kind of movie my sister would enjoy, so if you're reading, go watch it.

Had some good sleep last night apart from the noise of the train which on it's own is loud enough, but then to warn all the folk, it blows it's horn. Should have expected it as we had the same issue last night, only worse.

In the morning I went for a run on the beach as I do whenever we are staying near one. There is nothing better than feeling the sand between your toes while watching the surfers and wildlife. On this occasion the wildlife was a pod of dolphins swimming a few hundred yards off the beach. I couldn't run all day and while I was feeding my quarters into the shower machine Celia was busy watching a Minky whale swim by.... gutted I never saw it, but really happy for her.