It's About the (RV) Journey....: Ocean Beach...............

On the other side of Mission Bay and Mission Beach is Ocean Beach......described as a funky beach with leftover hippies and such. Very laid back. We tried to get there by bike a couple of times with the intent of getting an ice cream cone, but always managed to get lost. One day, we just jumped in the car and managed to find the beach. Hahha. It seems that we kept missing the bike trail turn, which is just as well because we would have been doing a lot of street riding once we got into Ocean Beach. Not a good idea in hippieville...hahhaha. (I imagine there are a handful of impaired drivers at any given time...just sayin').

Ocean Beach-San Diego

statue honoring lifeguards (hey, I was one (at pools) back in the day.....a long, long time ago)

We parked at the beach, and noticed it seemed to be very popular with surfers and serious swimmers. Mostly people like us though, just visitors checking out the beach. Lots of laid back druggy types too...getting high in their car (homes?) and in groups around the beach. Smelled lots of weed while trying to get to the pier. Sad to see so many young-ish drifters wasting away. Sleeping in parks and in cars-homeless?There were also plenty of tourists enjoying the ocean, which was very much alive when we were there. Tom and I are both good swimmers and LIKE the ocean, but WOW! These were waves! With the exception of surfers, and some swimmers way out, no one was in the water.

dunes protecting the shore

those are waves!

check out the waves crashing into the pier

One of the big draws to Ocean Beach is the fishing pier, the longest one on the west coast, at about 1900 feet I believe? Not exactly sure of the length, but it is the longest. After watching the waves from the beach, and the force they put on the posts holding up the pier, I actually thought twice before going up there. Gotta trust those structural engineers, right Tom?

heading up to the pier

view from above

so cool to see the waves curling at this angle

crazy to be watching the waves come in from behind them (without being on a boat)

It was so cool to be able to "walk on water" and watch the waves coming in like that without actually being in the water or on a boat. There is a cafe midway (with an appropriate name!), with a little store as well, so if you are a fisherman, or suddenly get hungry, you're good. Hahah. Of course, we hung out for a bit and watched the wildlife. Just love those pelicans. Close up, the colors are amazing.

in case you get hungry...the WOW (Walking on Water) Cafe!

hhmmm....bet the seafood is fresh

oh hello

this guy just settled in for a little nap

We both always thought it would be wonderful to live right on the coast, but watching the waves crash in, and seeing the slanted hillsides and noticing sandbags everywhere, well.....it makes you realize what a chance you take to actually live right on the coast. Like....right on it. (Not that we would ever be able to afford that anyway...hahahahahh!)

lots of people out enjoying this pier

the coast takes a beating

So, we enjoyed a lovely time just taking it all in. I'll try to share some of our moments with you through the pics. Just imagine a cool ocean breeze, the sound of crashing waves, seabirds and tourists, and the smell of salty ocean to go with it!