Fabulous Weekend -- Laguna and Newport Beach

Danny and I had a wonderful weekend. On Saturday we moseyed around and spent the evening having dinner with our friends Monica and Evan. It was so nice to sit down, eat some great food and laugh with good people. By the way, Monica -- you are a fabulous cook! The steak, potatoes, and berries with homemade whipped cream were phen-o-men-al!  You spoil us!

On Sunday we spent our morning at 1,000 Step Beach in Laguna. It was such a wonderful day! Perfect weather for sun bathing and swimming!

1,000 Step Beach is a beautiful little cove; not easy to find with an untrained eye. You can access the beach on 9^th street. There is no specified parking lot, so find a spot along PCH or in the neighborhood close by. The entrance is a little gate at the end of the crosswalk on 9^th street on PCH. The gate opens to a long staircase that will lead you to the beach. Trees and flower bushes have grown over the stairs, creating a green tunnel or as Danny likes to call them - urban barrels, ha-ha. Down at the far end of the beach there is a cave that you can explore during low tide.

After Laguna, we drove back home to meet-up with Evan and Monica. They had invited us to join them for sailing in Newport’s harbor. Evan and our friend Taylor bought their boat for $300 at a boat auction a few weeks earlier and Dan and Ev had been working on it here and there to make sure it was sea worthy. Holy cow...a boat for $300! Sign me up! We may be planing to sail the boat to Catalina sometime this summer or fall. I think I’ll need a few more lessons before we embark on a 6 hour trip!

After our fantastic evening sail. Danny and I walked over to David's (who happens to live right next to the public dock -- how convenient). David, Dan and I got some yum scrum pizza from Pizza Peat's and watched an episode of our latest obsession, Breaking Bad. We finished our night with a stroll to the end of the Newport pier to watch the late night fishermen and the full moon.

Here are some pictures from Laguna’s 1,000 Step beach and sailing in Newport. What a glorious weekend! I’m so thankful for the wonderful people in my life.

Gate to 1,000 Step

Urban Barrel

Cool little trolley designed to carry people from the main house to the beach house

Exploring the next cove

Driving back to Newport

Here they come!

Monica and Evan <3

The ferry and Fun Zone.

Monica, Me, Evan and Eddie.

Danny, Eddie and Thomas

Evan, Danny, Eddie and Taylor

On our way to get some Pizza Peat's

Our Fishing Trip

Danny and I went fishing with my Grandparents at 6:30AM yesterday. We launched the boat in Dana Point and headed north towards Laguna and Newport.  We snacked on edamame, fresh strawberries and oatmeal cookies while Grandpa gave us lessons on tying polymer and cinch  knots for our hooks. I loved taking pictures of the beautiful coastline and spending time with my family. P.S. Grandma, Danny and I caught about eight mackerel and released them (yucky eats). Grandpa…the fish whisperer of fishermen, caught two beautiful Sea Bass. Good job Grandpops!

Grandpa and Danny getting the boat ready

Lovebirds

 Giant sea cliff mansion in Dana Point

Hoping for a big one!

No luck!

Laguna Beach

This is one of my favorite beaches called Thousand Step in Laguna Beach. This early morning picture doesn't do it justice -- it's a beautiful secluded cove with clear water and a soft white sand. The trek to get here is a little tiring (hence the name) but it's well worth it! I love the  beach huts and the rickety old elevator that someone made to make their daily visit less daunting.

One of Grandpa's Sea Bass! He never fails to catch a fish!

Thousand Step (Laguna)

 A resort in Laguna and our friendly fishing neighbors

Sun bathing beauties (Dana Point)

 Crumbling cliff? Yikes! (Dana Point)

One of Dana's old fishing vessels

 It was a great morning!