Tag Archives: California

Rocking along Swami’s Beach in Southern California

I love them California beaches, from south of San Diego to the north of Crescent City. I’ve explored a good many, appreciating for each stretch of sand locale feels a little different and unique in some special way.

Being away from those beaches for too long, I miss that exploration, and rediscovery. I miss the freedom, and escape that California beaches often provide, and knowing what’s special about each.

Thus, I feel the love again in my periodic return to southern California. For my last trip, though I did something different in escaping the old, yet still familiar areas of San Diego, and Los Angeles/Orange County regions that sometime feel stuck with for too short the time.

So, I shared an nice adventure with an old, very dear friend who drove me to the in-between town area of Encinitas (northest San Diego County). We first enjoying some great Mexican food (huge shout out to the La Especial Norte restaurant, with my highest recommendation for hungry people there). Then, checked out a beach area, less familiar with and not been.

After a short drive, and a walk down to an opening between the nearby cliffs, and I found a pleasant little beach land, known as Swami’s Beach…

This first appears as a little beach, with very limited access through its north end via small open area. But then, walk down the sands a little further, around some crooked cliffs, and there you will see, much more coast with exploring by foot to be done.

But first, who is the Swami, you might ask… That would be Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, and you should check out his Wikipedia page. He stayed in Encintas for some time, at his Self-Realization Fellowship ashram nearby upon a cliff, built in 1937. The beach was eventually named after him unofficially by the surfer community, as his presence became well known, and respected. Much of that known beach, still public, was considered part of the long stretch, further down to San Elijo State Beach (another beach on my list to check out someday).

So, walking down, I noticed right away those wonderful waves of the San Diego shore, which were calming down after the high tide earlier. But still mighty for the surfers here to appreciate during our visit. It’s everything I still love about best about these slightly out of town shore spots. Plenty of room for free-minded people to bond with the waves, dig deep into the sand, led the oceanic breeze brush your face.

But what makes Swami’s Beach memorable and special? There’s much to admire here. At first, its the coziness and peaceful seclusion below the high cliffs (when the high tide is gone). Then, you would notice the many small rocks upon the shore.

These beautiful pebbles, are many and embedded against the waves, scatter, leaving a natural decoration upon the sand for some parts…

Then going forth, there are more rocks…

And then more,

And then, you just have to stop and admire, see what your shoes are stumbling over as you look down. I love these colors together.

These rocks are plenty enough feature to take in for now. I have much more to share, and they deserve another post. For that, I will be back with more on Swami’s Beach.

– Orion T

The realization of long life, according to Jonathan Seagull

“Jonathan Seagull discovered that boredom and fear and anger are the reasons that a gull’s life is so short, and with those gone from his thought, he lived a long fine life indeed.”

― Richard Bach, Jonathan Livingston Seagull

That moment above was taken atop a tide pool at Swami’s Beach in Encinitas (North San Diego County) California. That was one of many great things about that area, which I must share of, soon.

– Orion T

Return to Little Tokyo

One of favorite places to visit in the central Los Angeles is within its historic district of Little Tokyo.

Little Tokyo is the cultural hub and concentration of Japanese culture, accelerated by the settling of Japanese immigrants in the late 19th century. Much of this was due to increased labor needed, resulting from the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 barring Chinese laborers. Little Tokyo grew from the opening of the Kame Restaurant on East First Street in 1885, which attracted many immigrants to the area, and eventually settled.

Through tough times, the area thrived until World War II, with Japan then at war with the US. This led to the signing of Executive Order 9066, where a mass relocation and confiscation of property of Japanese immigrants across the U.S West Coast would devastate the local community. The area was nearly lost to the Japanese business owners. Eventually, the war ended, and the Japanese community would slowly regain their lost area, growing Little Tokyo through the decades once again to the wonderful cultural spot it is now.

The Japanese Village Plaza

I gained a heartfelt love for Japanese culture, growing up near San Francisco’s Japantown in my teenage years. I enjoyed its history, food, and unique architecture. And with that and foremost, its stylized art then known to me as Japanimation (and later anime, and manga in printed form) applied to visual media in all forms.

Eventually living in South California, I would visit Little Tokyo often with friend of my college anime club, spending many hours going through shops, eating its specialized food, visiting art museums, and feeling further ingrained to its unique and awesome culture. This area, I would greatly miss as I left my old life in Southern California over 10 years ago.

Coming back, I was happy to see it all still very vibrant with all the crazy silly things that I grew to love about Japanese culture since my youth. Here are some recent pictures more reminiscent of that childhood part…

It’s thriving now, far more than I recall in my many visits over a decade ago. There are definitively more more businesses of Japanese influence here. The central area seems cleaner as well, with fresher paint and better details than I recall before. Pretty much all my favorite stores were still there, and packed. The anime/manga influence is also vibrant, with the Jungle Hoppy Shop store being my favorite and doubled in size now.

I also noticed a plentiful choice of Japanese restaurants, with a variety of specialties and appeal. Some showed their pride in preparation of eats, to public eyes, which I would enjoyed a moment in watch…

I would remain in Little Tokyo for only a couple hours with an old college friend, reminiscing of our time spent in this wonderful district. For lunch, we picked upon Daikokuya, a popular rice and ramen-noodle restaurant in the area. There was a 45-minute wait to this small, yet very cozy place. Eventually, the wait was worth it, and I enjoyed their prized Daikaku Ramen bowl and some takoyaki (octopus balls)…YUM!

An overall, I will surely return to Little Tokyo, again and again. You should too.

– Orion T

A small bit of Downtown Los Angeles art…

I spent some hours in Downtown Los Angeles last week, sadly with two little time to explore much of this grand area.

In the past, I would check out the many awesome murals there, and explore its art galleries. This time not, as I there for other meetings, then moving on to my next destination before the sunfall. Yet, with about 15 minutes to spare, I checked out a couple large murals by the Pico public rail station.

The one from the pic above is byFabio Lopez, who goes by his street artist name Dourone, a Spanish artist from Madrid, Spain. His artwork is featured on many walls around the world, each with a different message and unique vision. Check out more his work via instagram @duourone and on his official site dourone.com

Here below is another mural, in beautiful color giving love to the Clippers and its star player, Kawhi Leonard. The surrounding is a mix of positive messages and imagery that matches the vibe of this colorful city. I could not find any info on the artist.

And that was all for my mural gazing in the downtown area for now. I shall return eventually, and hopefully have more time for urban exploring and other grand mural finds.

– Orion T

Happy New Year Blues for 2020

So, here I am late again, posting not quite timely. I lost track of time again, not quite looking back or forward. I am here, for each day trying to enjoy some moments when possible.

That’s how I left the previous year and decade, going back to how I began both, by escaping and walking distant ground, collecting my thoughts into sustainable moments of bliss. This time, to my old areas of southern California, to spend time with friends and family.

But finally, the New Year sharing part sinks in, and it’s eventually time to share in that joy, days later. Here was the glory of the first day of my new decade, upon a quite beach that is often used as a backdrop for Miami, Florida in various movies and TV shows. Here the long beach that is upon Long Beach, California.

I walked the first hours of daylight for 2020 late and midday slightly hungover from the Eve before. I embraced the warmish weather (compared to Seattle) healing, walking the local shore. The beach felt soft to my sandals with a lovely gentle breeze highlighted by a fresh blue sky, trying to ignore the bits of trash piled up from the recent firework festivities. I did well to resist the allure of social media and constant messages lighting my pocket sleeve, all Happy New Year or whatever. Rather, I stare into the calm of the larger world offered to me, and it looks back to me.

Very pleasant. This steadied for about 2 hours, taking my sweet time to stop and admire this simple moment. Occasionally, I would cross path with another human. We would smile for a moment, say a Happy New Year greeting, then move on in opposite direction. Sometimes, I would rest on the sand, occasionally taking out my notepad to scribble some thoughts and ideas in preservation of later creative productivity.

There was more to the day, of which I will share soon. And, more to this California trip, and more to the last decade and into this one. I have much fresh content, that I wish to share. But, choices were made towards giving myself time to unplug and rethink my life direction and not treat my writings and content sharing like chores. The timing is off, but the wait to those who share in my joys will find such late belated things to be timeless and worth celebrating on any day. I will post some more good stuff, soon.

Meanwhile, Happy New Year to all.

– Orion T

Summer Surfing Love in San Diego

Ocean Beach in San Diego, we meet again.

This time, for only a couple days after the annual San Diego Comic-Con for my 25th year. I have much to share in that story on, but for now…just appreciate the peace at the end. Details later…

But for this round, I partake in the best of this wonderful piece of California, where I enjoy the amazing Mexican food, embrace the tropical warm summer weather, take a long walk on the Ocean Beach Pier, smile back at the hippy culture vibe. Such are some of the better reasons I love San Diego as one of the best California coastal experiences a visitor could have.

But even better of that experience is to surf the mighty waves, something I wish I could take time to learn (along with swimming, and getting over my fear of drowning), and engage. San Diego seems ideal for such, as Ocean Beach is one of many known for its big waves, and large sandy fronts. I shall return, again and again with a renewed dream to ride the waves.

– Orion T

 

 

Abalone Cove Shoreline Park, up close…

Continued from my last post, here are some closer views below of Abalone Cove Shoreline Park and Ecological Preserve, off the coast of Southern California in Rancho Palos Verde. I explored near the Sacred Cave with longtime friends, during my very short stay in the South Los Angeles region. I wanted something different, and here we are…




Overall, a sweet and peaceful place for shore explorers and tide-pool enthusiasts. I remained wet, and glad I had the right shoes for stepping over the many rocks and watery holes. The tide was low, enough..

If interested, check out the official www.rpvca.gov page for more info, warnings, and area closures.

– Orion T

The Warning Signs

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I’ve been a little late in my postings lately, as this summer is busy and full of unexpected happenings.

But, I did take some time out for a few little adventures, while i stayed for week in Southern California in late July. One place there in particular, had my attention for a half day, Abalone Cove Shoreline Park, a wonderful stretch of coastal preserve north of Long Beach, close to San Pedro. Once there, much of the area is easy to miss with the road access high and paralleling the clifftops, with small parking lots and vista points. The trails down to the waters are not obvious.

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Yet, with a little exploring and walking further from the parking area and picnic tables, there are signs of access and danger. One just needs to needs to heed the warnings and find the right access point, and continue to heed the warnings…

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Photo Jul 24, 2 43 40 PM

I did go with a few friends, of which some were familiar and knowledgeable of the area. The whole time, very worthwhile and lots of fun. Most of the danger was just being careful and being very aware of the your surroundings, weather and tides.  I shall post more on this, sometime this week.

– Orion T

Wandering Nights of Ocean Beach

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Time for a rewind, till almost a month ago in San Diego, California. The place, Ocean Beach

The place is Ocean Beach, a wonderful beachside town in Southern California. The time is of two weekday nights, with a few hours to spare before some business downtown. The temperature was fairly warm, with the nearby breeze of the mighty Pacific Ocean nearby. The time was well spent, with light drinks, ruminating, and small talk with local strangers. Such is the wonderful atmosphere of Ocean Beach, where the time is just before midnight.

Here are some pics I took between destinations on the main Newport Ave. Look…

A cool two-dimensional display, guarding a parking lot

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A very colorful hostel, of which I would like to stay at someday.

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A colorful place to express one’s image.

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The upper interior of The Electric Chair, seen through the front window.

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The front of the famous Burger spot, Hodads…right before closing.

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A peek inside Hodads before closing. No space is wasted…

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Another peek into Hodads before closing…

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An awesome window display of one of many shops on the main street…

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Another store display of Ocean Beach, but on the outside.

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A cool neon sign…

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An alleyway by a bar I visited. Johnny Cash and Jimmy Hendrix welcome you.

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And past the stores of and streets of Ocean Beach, is an amazing pier that doesn’t close. More on that, I will share in another posting…

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Picture of Today 7/26/16, Sunset at Sunset Beach..


A nice sunset at Sunset Beach in Southern California. The day was much warm, and the winds were light for the evening. All came together nice for this time with friends. One among them took his phone out before the sunset to capture a Pokemon in the Pokemon Go game. It was a Psyduck. 

– Orion T

Last weekend, a stroll and chillax through Long Beach, California..

Photo Jul 21, 7 57 39 PM

Ah..Long Beach, California.

This is a city ups and downs, at the southwest corner of Los Angeles County. Also, the birthplace of pop-culture icons, Nicolas Cage and Snoop Doggy Dogg. I lived for nearly two years about 7 trips around the sun ago, and came back last weekend to visit old friends for some days.

Unfortunately, I was sick and recovering from the crazy San Diego Comic Con adventure I had (of which I will bring up again in more detail, soon). I eventually recuperated, and had a some days left to get some outside air, and walk around in the Long Beach city area. Unfortunately, I did not have my good camera on me, so I took some pictures using my tablet. Here below, are some raw unedits of some sites admired…

First off, not quite Long Beach. This is further south in Seal Beach, in Orange County. In the far distance, you can make out the outline of Long Beach’s Downtown area. Sadly, the rain and heavy humidity was difficult on me. But at least, others there had fun…

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The I met with the sun some days later. I walked around, noticed some new art on some buildings. This work is an alley, in the East Village area..by “Drew”

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This is on the same building, on a different side. By DABSMYLA

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This is in the same block, next to Cafe Berlin. I didn’t get the name of the artist..

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Having enough of urban art and errands, I went to Shoreline Village at the waterfront. Here, is a colorful place with many crowded restaurants..

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Ah, the ol Hot Licks, a store for the hotter sauce connoisseurs. I love that sign mascot.

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The Rocky Mountain Factory Chocolate Factory shop. That bear makes me smile…

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I enjoyed some good BBQ dinner and yams at Louisiana Charlies restaurant still inside Shoreline Village, and headed around to the other side of the waterfront. I looked to the boat, with a yearning to jump on and go on some wacky old timey adventure .

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I took some time out, to look down and admire this curvatures of the brake layout on the long pathway walked (part of an area called the Pike)..

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Also, this fishy bike rack!

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And around to this lighthouse, a favorite place to rest when I lived here. I once again sat on the grass hill around it until the sunset, reading a stack of free comic books I took in San Diego..

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The Queen Mary ocean liner (now stationary as a tourist attraction and hotel), in the distance. If I had more time, I would have went..

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And the Rainbow Harbor Bridge, that leads to the Queen Mary and some industrialized areas. Also, very cool if you stay late, to gaze upon the awesome water reflection of the colorful bridge.

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That was pretty much all I could do for this visit. Here is the one last sunset I look had, before leaving (and battery exhausted on my tablet).

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– Orion T

Big Bird in a Big City – last weekend in San Diego, California

  

I was in San Diego, with feathered company.

And I was constant with busy activity, with a huge comic convention and other business going on. I stayed on a boat during that last weekend with new friends for some days. I wrote and photographed quite a bit of that trip for another web site (strangerworlds.com), and will feature some of that work with personal commentary on that, in my next posting here.

For now, enjoy with mild amusement these pictures, of what I believe is a blue heron..

  
   

– Orion T

Summer Daze at Ocean Beach part 2/2

Ocean Beach, San Diego

Continued from part 1.

Put the world behind you, and enjoy the best part of Ocean Beach.

The dense and plentiful sand, a grandest sky, the endless water, the resonance of unending tides. OB has it all in wait.

Further out, is the amazing Ocean Beach Municipal Pier, standing tall since 1966, This is my favorite escape, within an escape. The OB pier is where one takes good time, slow walk and let the worries of the wold fade out with each step out. Among you will be those with fishing poles, casting out for good catch. Maybe, I will someday join them.

Look out and far, especially on a clear day.

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Also, the OB Pier is the longest concrete pier on the West Coast at 1,971 feet (601 m).

Ocean Beach, San Diego

Looking over, the pier is a great place to watch surfers in action. Like much of California’s Coast, OB is a prime spot for the surfing culture.

Here in OB, the surfing lifestyle has its early roots. Surfing was been traced back as far as 1916 when local lifeguard Charlie Wright borrowed a wooden surfboard from the Hawaiian Olympic swimmer and surfing’s living legend, Duke Kahanamoku. Wright went on to produce more boards, gave lessons, and promoted surfing to the local area. Afterwards, that surfing community grew as the sporting became native to San Diego.

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Some surf late, enjoying the best of the golden Californian sunset.

Ocean Beach, San Diego

Ocean Beach, San Diego

For me, I often go for another walk on the great OB pier. The coming night offers a different reward for those looking for quality alone time. Also, one could enjoy a more illuminate view of the coast looking back. On my last visit, the camera battery power faded. So, I present these views from the same place from a previous time some years ago, upon the night of a Harvest Moon.

From here, there are no more words..

Ocean Beach, San Diego

Ocean Beach, San Diego

Ocean Beach, San Diego

Summer Daze of Ocean Beach part 1/2

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Welcome to Ocean Beach, at the coast of San Diego in the great California state.

I tell myself this, often coming back after some annual business in San Diego. This is my end priority, after seeking out some fantastic yet cheap tacos. Visitors should be anxious to settle the many great beaches here. Choices are great, depending on your surf and sand desires. One is greater in surrounding youthful party energy (Mission Beach, further north), another is more upper crust (La Jolla, more further north). Ocean Beach is always my choice, the perfect balance between California’s more chillful beach culture and a small town vibe that doesn’t overwhelm in tourist behavior, yet still holds great entertainment value.

Ocean Beach is that surfside place of simple joys. Here, a medium family-friendly community connects to a beach big enough to support appreciators of the Pacific Ocean soothing roar. OB has nothing to draw attention to itself to the abroad travelers flocking to popular beach elsewhere. Lacking are the visible souvenir shops, tacky tourist museum traps, carnival and stereo noise.

Ocean Beach is the better escape.

I get that sense just walking down the main Newport Ave. Within the surrounding area, I see little of the big name stores or snobby label fashion outlets. Fast food is pushed away with only one Starbucks (with a very aggressive no-public bathroom policy). More inviting, are some great thrift stores including the 2 Dollar Thrill, a store store chock full of DVDs, fun beach-themed clothes. Near to that was a five (or was it 3.99) dollar store with similar themes.  Also, I found Galactic Comics, a collectibles and sequential art store with good geek treasure (hint: look up). Down the way, some tempting antique stores, especially the one with an army of tin robots in the window.

Ocean Beach, much to love before the beach.

Ocean Beach, San Diego

The eats are plentiful and good on choice; with much local-owned or exclusive to San Diego. One personal favorite is the Lighthouse Ice Cream & Yogurt, where one could grab their amazing hot waffle and ice cream sandwich. Another fav is the South Beach Bar and Grill, where I found the best fish tacos ever. Also, the taste of fumes of the BBQ House on Newport Ave are hypnotic, heavenly, a must for carnivores. All this and more, very reasonably priced.

However, the biggest star of Ocean Beach’s local food scene is Hodads, a bar and restaurant that claims the worlds greatest burger on their menu. I come here often questioning that, but always face a line down the block. I ask a few in my waiting attempts on the worthiness of Hodad’s great burgers. Heads nod, and replies imply its lengthy waits are rewarded.

I always consider Hodad’s olate, full of tacos or ice cream. Next time..

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The most colorful building on Newport avenue is Ocean Beach’s International Hostel. Someday, I must go inside, perhaps even stay the night. Otherwise, there is another hostel of choice for me; the Point Loma Hostel, of which I personally recommend for visitors. That and this hostel, you will likely find a friend or few to further explore this wonderful area.

Ocean Beach, San Diego

There is more to share about Ocean Beach, but must wait until next blogging time. Then, more time at the beach and a walk on the pier. Also, a some surfing and some moonlight later. Come back!

Ocean Beach, San Diego

The awesome SF-88 Nike Missile Base (near San Francisco)

- photo by Orion Tippens (travelingorion.wordpress.com)

Interested in Cold War era military history? In or near San Francisco’s Bay Area?

Check out the SF-88 Nike Missile Base, a U.S. military defense base established long ago against the possible invasion of Communist forces. Now, accessible to the public.

Find it, a little northwest of the Golden Gate Bridge in the Marin Headlands. Visiting hours are very limited, and by guided tour only. More details at the end of this entry.

For me, this place was an awesome surprise. I heard nothing on this before and just found it while hiking around the perimeters of Fort Barry and its abandoned battery military posts (to be featured in a future post). I came across a fence, chuckled at this sign.

- photo by Orion Tippens (travelingorion.wordpress.com)

I noticed a missile in the distance and an open gate beyond, then walked  towards. Turned out I was welcome, and in time for a grand tour of this fascinating place.

SF-88 is one of four public accessible decommissioned missile bases out of 280 that were purposed to defend against possible Soviet enemy aircraft attacks. After opening in 1954, SF-88 was armed first with Ajax anti-aircraft missiles, and later on with Hercules II anti-aircraft rockets. This establishment was eventually closed in 1974, and restored for historical preservation decades later by dedicated volunteers.

Thanks to these volunteers, visitors may personally see and understand this fascinating time of our history. With the aid of a volunteer tour guide, you may personally study a plethora of Cold War defense equipment and operations. Included on this base are radar stations, yesterdays top-of-the-line computer stations and communication networks. Also, lots of small military objects, pictures, and informative writings of its time in use.

And of course, the missiles themselves are present. Most here, are the Hercules II rockets. Some are taken apart in the sheds, others with detailed cutaways revealing complex construction and construction. Also, there is the center launchpad, where a platform leads to an underground area. Inside are more decommissioned missiles, and the launch room.

- photo by Orion Tippens (travelingorion.wordpress.com)

Fascinating to me, was how lightweight these missiles were, as the tour guide gave us the opportunity to move a couple on their metal lifts. The missiles were to be prepared and ready promptly; recalling the guide saying these missiles had to be less than 20 minutes, should an attack happen.

SF-88 is much worth checking out. Hours and tours are limited, as the base is closed most of the week. The cost is free, and donations were refused at the time I visited. Do check its official Web site for current times of the tours.. SF-88 is also closed on federal holidays, and days of rough weather conditions (alerts are also online). For more information and directions, click here for the official visitor page.

Below are additional pictures of the Nike site, taken by me. Click on each one for the full picture.

The wonderful Trees of Mystery

Far north within California’s great redwood lands, you may encounter a wonderful, unique collection of strange trees.

The Trees of Mystery.

These are redwoods, collectively located on a hiking path off the 101 freeway in Klamath, California. The path is guarded by a massive 49-foot color statue of Paul Bunyan and his possible anatomically incorrect ox, Babe. More on that big guy, in a future post.

The Trees of Mystery is a packaged tourist destination; all accompanied by a Native American museum, a sky lift leading to a large platform high above, a collection of sculpted folk tale statues, and more.

For my visit, I found these odd trees in highest interest. How this strange lot grew together over the many years, is an interesting coincidence. The trail itself was short, but revealing. I took some pictures. Below are the most popular of the bunch. You will also find some added notes, visible below when you individually click on each.

For more information on the Trees of Mystery, click here.

The jellyfish swarms of Monterey Bay

Look around and down over the piers of the Monterey Bay, California, especially next to the London Bridge Pub at its second Municipal Wharf. You will likely find swarms of jellyfish among the boats.

See?

photo by Orion Tippens

Some years ago, I took these pictures (more below). I’m still astounded and felt the need to share them. Jellyfish are strange, interesting creatures. They are classified as plankton, not fish. They have existed on this earth long before humans and dinosaurs. They can reproduce sexually, and asexually. They have no brains, respiratory systems. or central nervous systems. They live through a network of connected nerves, and are commonly composed of at least 90% water.

To find them in swarms so close to civilization is surreal. I just walked around one quiet morning. Surprise, everywhere.

photo by Orion Tippens

photo by Orion Tippens

photo by Orion Tippens

I’m not sure on the further details on what kind these are. I think these are commonly known as sea nettle jellyfish. They sting humans, paralyze smaller creatures. You can find these, among other types of Jellyfish at the nearby Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Here’s a cool video found from the Youtube:

Favorite Lighthouses of the California Coast

I love lighthouses.

Lighthouses save lives. They symbolize hope. They are beautiful, simple in purpose and design. For California, these add points of adventure and excitement to its majestic coastline.

Here are five favorite California lighthouses. All still in operation, accessible on the outside at least.

Point Reyes Lighthouse. Photo by Orion Tippens
Pigeon Point Lighthouse. Photo by Orion Tippens
Battery Point Lighthouse. Photo by Orion Tippens
Lions Lighthouse for Sight. Photo by Orion Tippens
Point Montara Lighthouse. Photo by Orion Tippens