Europeโs Beaches are spectacular……but guess what??? ย So are California’s โผ๏ธ Our Europe Hop & Harbor Hop were halted, but our Beach Hop is hoppin!!๐ย First stop is San Clemente, …..Wow๐ฅฐ!! Conceived & built by Ole Hanson in 1925 as โThe Spanish Village by the Sea!โ ๐ค. This alluring Village is like no other…. beginning with the quaintย boutique style 1947ย Beachcomber Inn picturesquely perched OCEANFRONT! ๐คBesides the stunning views, each cozily elegant Villa has its own kitchen, & private porch.ย It was one of San Clementeโs first hotels built in Ole Hansonโs romantic Spanish style & remains an historic landmark!ย Check out the to die for views of the palm lined beach, surfers, Catalina Island out there and theย famous wooden Pier built in 1928!! There is sooo much more to see in San Clemente that we will be posting next for You!ย Itโs really hard to pick a favorite California coastal town, but this one is right up there!… and we sure hope you enjoy it too!!๐. Wait till you see itโs own State Beach Parkย for your RV or camping! ๐๐๐. And itโs only a 10 minute drive from Dana Pointย where we left you last! โต๏ธ๐๐๐๐โฃ๏ธ๐
Stunningย San Clemente…the LITTLE village with a BIG history…fromย Famousย Surfers to Infamous Presidents!! ๐ค. ย Here you see theย Piers Fishermansย Restaurant view down the beach to Cottons Point waay at the end!ย Also the The Beachcomber Inn perched on the cliff from the last post !๐ค This beach has it ALL…fire rings, picnic tables, volleyball,ย a scenic beach trail & even itโs own Pier train stop!ย ย Hobie Alter, 1950โs surf & sailing entrepreneur of nearby Danaย Point, surfed here & it remains a worldwide surfing destination! ๐โโ๏ธ. Cottons Point, named after Financier HH Cotton built his 20 acre oceanfront mansion which once housedย 4500+ guests for aย party & horse race on his own private track. ๐ฑ๐ President FD Roosevelt often vacationed here to spend time with Cotton & Ole Hanson the developers of San Clemente.ย In 1969,ย the famous estate became President Nixonโs Western Whitehouse & is currently privately owned, valued around 63 Million!๐ฐ Next, just up from the Pier is Del Mar Street where Ole Hansonโs โSpanish Village by the Seaโ lives on with the darling 1926ย Hotel San Clemente !ย Also still operating is his Beach Club …his bowling alley, casino, & movie theater are under renovation.ย Next Hansonโs beautiful seaview home โCasa Romanticaโ high on the hill overlooking the Sea & famous Pier is now a cultural center.ย Flyby loved the OCEANFRONT San Clemente State Park,ย before going to Europe!๐๐. This charming Spanish Village really does offer so much , we love San Clemente & we hope you do too! ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฅPS…Sally is still hobbling,ย photos by Paul!๐
Flybye….leaving California for Maryland to ship over to EUROPE one year ago!! ๐๐โผ๏ธWe knew it was going to be an adventure…. but couldnโt even have imagined the adventures of driving 6000 miles through 6 Countries!!๐๐. Filled with wonderful people, breathtaking sights, fun activities & food……oh yeah &ย getting lost with GPS , old towns with no way out , signs & language we didnโt understand, ……. We laughed & cried our way along the greatest adventure of our lives!! And canโt wait to go back again !!๐๐๐๐ We have learned to be grateful for every moment………This rehab break was definitely not in our AdventuAyers plan……we were supposed to be picking up Flybye again in Barcelona…. but life is still beautiful , we are back on our liveaboard Sailboat โต๏ธ & Sally is improving everyday! ๐๐๐๐. We are getting out & about more … the Adventureย is coming back in AdventureAyers! ๐๐๐คฃAnd your adventures are inspiring & encouraging us….Thank you๐๐
Aliso Beach๐…Nestled below the Laguna cliffs,ย this pretty palm lined beach nails it from rocky coves to golden sand and plenty of surf!!๐. If you like tide pooling & beach strollsย or more exciting skim boarding, surfing , & snorkeling, this is YOUR beach!! ๐๐. Situated right on Hwy 1 with easy parking, & directly across from The Ranch at Laguna Beach resort, itโs the perfect getaway for everyone!ย The Resort is carved into an 87ย acre lush dramatic canyon ! Itโs awesome & we will be posting from there next!!๐คฉ This is an EPIC RV day stop & if you want equally lovely overnight spots youโll find Crystal Cove, San Clemente & Doheny State Parks within minutes! ๐๐ Flybye gives them all a thumbs up!! ๐ Visiting by boat, just drop anchor at Dana Point Harbor & take the trolley!๐โต๏ธ๐ The Beach Hop goes on……We love this cozy, fun beach & we hope you enjoy it too! ๐๐๐ค
The Ranch….One of National Geographicโs Unique Lodges of the World!๐คฉย You can see why…..,just as you turn off Hwy 1, you will be mesmerized by the 87 acre secluded Canyon overlooking Aliso Beach! ๐ Then just follow along Aliso Creek to discover the picturesque 9 hole Ben Brown Golf Course! ๐๏ธโโ๏ธ And nestled around the course youโll find lodging like The Tree House above the bridge with a 360 degree view, wrap around deck & itโs own gazebo or lovely Creekside, Canyon & Cottage lodging.ย Nature, hiking, golf AND the premier boutique Sycamore SPA & Pool…..all this just a short stroll to beautiful Aliso Beach that we posted last! ๐Does it get any better?? YES…..relax on the peaceful Harvest dining patio or course patios & breathe in the canyon & golf course views! โบ๏ธ Cold outside?,,,enjoy the view from the roaring fireside bar & dining ! ๐ฅ Well, there areย 61 National Geographic Unique Lodges that span 34 Countries & 6 Continents.ย They are dedicated to protecting the surrounding habitat & culture!ย Who knew this is the only one in California? ๐ค The welcoming & friendly staff will make you feel right at home…whether youโre coming to enjoy the ambience like we did, or for a stay!ย Driving, camping or anchored close by?…donโt miss this…..we were charmed & we hope you are too!! ๐๐โต๏ธ๐๐๏ธโโ๏ธ๐โโ๏ธ๐๐
Europe Hopping was fun, Harbor Hopping was great… and Beach Hopping is a blast too!!! ๐Just wait till you see Crystal Cove & on into main Laguna Beach!!! ย ๐. ย They are just up the road and think youโre gonna love them!๐ ย Until then , Happy Trails & God Bless!! ย ๐โต๏ธ๐