Trying to make the most of our trip out west, we set off every day armed with our trusty Fodor’s travel guide (now quite dogeared) and a sense of adventure. One bright sunny day, we decided to drive the famed U.S. Route 101 which runs along the coast from Washington to southern California, offering breathtaking vistas of the Pacific Ocean. Beginning in the town of Carlsbad known for its mineral water which was found to have the same properties as water from the wells of Karlsbad, Bohemia, we wound our way south to Swami’s, a top surfing spot for the locals.
The beach is located down a long stairway just steps away from the Self-Realization Fellowship Center, a temple topped with golden lotus-flower domes built in 1920 for Paramahansa Yogananda. This Indian yogi and guru, who introduced millions of westerners to the fundamentals of meditation, called Encinitas his home and where he wrote the seminal Autobiography of a Yogi.
No trip to the beach is complete without some California texmex and Bull Taco “Inauthentic Mexican” fit the bill with it’s surf shack vibe and clifftop views of the ocean. The fish tacos were delicious, as were the veggie ones, and the atmosphere couldn’t be beat.
Our lunch was followed by a picturesque drive through the quaint village of Del Mar and down the hill to Torrey Pines Natural Reserve where 300-foot-high sandstone cliffs beckoned us to climb… A perfect way to end our roadtrip.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our journey down the 101 and that your weekend is filled with adventures off the beaten path!