A friendly staff gave us a quick history of the mission. Admission to the museum is $8. The…read moremuseum is packed with artifacts and history. We took our time looking around the courtyard, the oldest pepper tree...San Luis Rey is a working mission still, they hold masses here, have parish office, and also cemetery. The mission is impressive and the chapel is beautiful. Im not going to reveal too much with my photos, you need to appreciate its beauty in person.

My goal is to visit all of the missions in California. As an elementary school teacher, I find it…read moreto be fascinating to explore the locations that I teach about during the school year. It helps to personalize all that is taught in classrooms across California. Mission San Luis Rey is one of the prettiest missions that I've visited so far. The parking lot is large, and it also has an overflow to accommodate larger crowds during special events. There is a large, white church that is in the center of the parking lot. Due to its size and proximity, it immediately grabs your attention. Many people begin exploring at the church, but there's much more to see. If you walk to the far left side of the property, you'll see the actual entrance. There is small gift shop as well as a counter where you'll pay your entry fee to explore the museum. One thing that I liked about Mission San Luis Rey is that replicas of various artifacts looked pretty authentic. Also, the backstory for each item was described in detail. The mission was incredibly clean, demonstrating how much pride people take in the presentation of the property. There is a small cemetery adjacent to the church. You can walk around and pay your respects to people who had either a physical or emotional impact on the mission and the community. The grounds are well-maintained and it remains inviting to people who want to explore around. The church is large and inviting. You can purchase candles and place them near the entrance as well as the room off to the side or another room closer to the front of the church. The displays are beautiful and well-lit to draw your attention to details. People maintain a low tone in the church to allow guests to pray, have a moment to themselves, or to make a connection with a higher power. Before you leave, make sure that you stop by the small coffee shop. It's located near the bathrooms near the south side of the property. There is a little gated patio area where you can hang out with friends, family, or even your dog! Mission San Luis Rey is a great place to visit. People are very friendly and quite helpful. When we went to the mission, the weather was perfect and we had a clear view of the area. It was a great experience and I will definitely come back for another visit. I don't know which mission we will visit next, but so far, this is my favorite.

Nice little park with historic buildings from Oceanside. Shady trees and picnic tables. This is…read morepopular as a wedding venue as there's a gazebo for the ceremony, buildings to use for preparation, and the area is quiet (the nearby La Hacienda restaurant also has an area to host receptions). Dogs are allowed on leashes if you pick up after them. There are dog waste bag dispensers and trash cans in the park. Bikes / Skateboards are not allowed to be ridden inside the park but can be carried or pushed with you. There are also drinking fountains and restrooms. Park also contains the model railroad club which visitors can view. The caretaker John who lives at the connected house is very friendly and so is his dog. He's usually either sitting on his porch or doing something inside the park so if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask him..

Model train lovers will enjoy this park if they come by on the weekends when the enthusiasts are…read morethere to show off their model trains. We were riding our bicycles along the nearby river trail and made a pit stop at this park. I was surprised no one was enjoying this small but peaceful park with its shaded trees.

I love finding cool historical spots in the local area! I went on a Sunday and it looked like there…read moreweren't any real tours happening, so I just walked around the outside by myself. It was very cool seeing how well preserved everything was and they even had a gift shop. They had lots of dirt parking, a public restroom, and lots of picnic tables. I also got to see a humming bird!!!

I walk the "Sports Park" at least 5 times a week. I love the trails and its rural feel. The…read moreactual adobe is amazing with a lot of historical features and fun to tour. I want to give a shout out to Tom, one of the volunteers who lives on site. You will see him working around the trails and adobe on any given day. He takes pride in his work and it shows! Thanks for making Rancho Adobe such a beautiful place to visit.

This place is an absolute gem hidden off of Melrose! You turn down in here and you see so many…read morebeautiful things. There are peacocks during the early morning time roaming around. They have a beautiful little movie theater where you can watch a show about how it all began and a tiny little gift shop. Then you can walk around and see all of the horse stables, houses, and beautiful reflection pool.

We got the opportunity to walk with a docent/guide during a light rain we had in May. It was s nice…read moreto walk in the rain and hear stories of the past at Leo Carrillo Ranch. The cacti were in blossom which was a unique treat! We saw peacocks, a wide variety of local biota and enjoyed talking story with a knowledgeable elder.

The best part about the Carlsbad sign is where it's actually located. The sign is near an amazing…read morebunch of shops, breakfast location, restaurants, and of course the Carlsbad Beach resort and Inn! Highly recommend starting your journey in Carlsbad close to here.

Dear Carlsbad Sign,…read more The fact that you are located in the most beautiful part of Carlsbad is one of the many things that makes you so cool! I love you tall physique and how you just glow when the sun sets. You bring me to all the best local foods, shops, and the fact that the beach is just a block away is one of the many things that makes you so great! Get you pictures while you can where you are here, but just don't get hit by a car!

Gorgeous! You have to visit yourself go appreciate the architecture and vibe. I can't believe…read morethis is my first time! Designed and completed in 1990 by American architect Charles Moore, and influenced by California architect Irving Gill. I came to get my special edition Laufey card and join the Laufey book club

The Oceanside library is great. They have a beautiful fountain area out front that are very nice to…read morelook at and a great place for local events to be hosted. The location is fantastic and within walking distance of the pier and other attractions. Parking is plentiful as long as there is not a huge event going on. There is street parking all around, and a large parking structure as well. The library is not the biggest library but there is a decent selection. The staff and guards are courteous and helpful. There is a bathroom.

This little gem is tucked away in downtown Oceanside. No dedicated parking lot but there is free…read more 2-4 hour parking on the street or dedicated public lots. We were immediately greeted when we walked in. I came with my 3-year old and 9 year old. Kids under 12 (I believe) were free. And adults were $10 which made it affordable for all of us to go. The main exhibit, I was told, rotates yearly. In our visit we got to see the surf boards from the Hawaiian Islands. Lots of cool history and reading but the little one was super impatient. I skimmed what I could and continued throughout the exhibits. It was best to see surfboards from original wood to foam. They had a dedicated exhibit regarding the girl who lost her arm during a shark attack while surfing. Her story tells one of perseverance while being able to see the original shark bitten board. The kids probably thought this was most neat. They also had smaller exhibits discussing fins and a body board although it had a different name. I'm not a surfer but lived in Oceanside for a long time and still appreciated this exhibit. The entrance has a small gift shop and my girls left with stuffies and sandals. If you're in Oceanside whether visiting or local, it's worth a stop.

I spent nearly an hour here exploring the museum - much more than I wished I had spent there as…read morethere was truly not enough exhibitions to spend over 30 minutes there. It was a ghost town in there with more workers than onlookers. The renowned "Secret Spot" was simply a mural next to the trash cans. The only upside was that this experience was free thanks to my library card, but knowing what I know now, I wouldn't even consider coming here even if I was being paid.

This is THE MOST AMAZING HIDDEN JEWEL of San Diego County! The History is so very deep,…read moremulticultural, humbling and beautiful. A small remnant of our distant past here in Southern California. You and your Family are blessed to have the opportunity to visit. AND it is just beyond BEAUTIFUL. Peaceful. Deep. Spirit filled and spiritual. Full of stories, ghosts and history. This should be something that everyone in North County knows and Loves!!!! Just a Godsend and Blessing!

This is a a great place to take portraits, the staff is friendly. It's also a great place to just…read moresimply go for a walk and enjoy the nature that surround you.

What a great place to hike to! I am glad there are many…read moretypes of paths up to Double Peak Park. Some days I feel like taking the paved of packed earth trails. Other times I enjoy scrambling on the many winding cross country trails. It's all good! Now if only someone would set up a coffee stand at the top

What a view! I came up for the Starwalk event hosted by the city of San Marcos through the Double…read morePeak Astronomy program. There was plenty of parking but we got there early just in case. We walked up to the check-in desk, provided our info, and were given instructions, star maps, and red lenses for our phones. We then walked to Mahnita Boyden-Wofford Amphitheater (a large cement amphitheater) and found seats facing the volunteer ranger presenting the night's info. Unfortunately, it was a bit too foggy to see much. The volunteer ranger (John Walsh) answered questions and explained differences between various stars, meteors, satellites and sky debris. Occasionally, the sky would open up for us to see a few stars. We did get to see the summer triangle and a satellite though. It was a good learning experience and I hope to do more in the future on a clear night. Tip: apparently it's tarrantula season so watch your step.

We made a follow up visit to this little winery which is a little off the beaten path but offers…read morenice wines and the most beautiful views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Owners, Kim & George, are very friendly and offer up a huge selection of white and red wines. Parking can be a challenge. If there are no spaces open at the top of the hill, you'll have to park along the side of a steep driveway. The one plus is that they do have a golf cart that will run people up and down the hill, but I don't know if that's always available. The tasting room is average size, but there is a spiral staircase that leads to a large upstairs patio (uncovered) with incredible views. You can certainly enjoy a glass or bottle up there and take in the amazing views...all the way to the ocean! WINES: The Beach House property is 4 acres total, with 2 acres planted with grapes. On our last visit, the tasting menu listed 14 wines (whites, rosé, and reds), and we even tried a couple that weren't on the menu. The wines are well made, and some that we've purchased in the past have laid down well in our cellar. I always state, individuals' palates can be very different than mine, but I'm pretty sure there will be a wine you'll enjoy. I recommend you visit and check them out for yourselves. I think you'll enjoy it. NOTE: They're only open on Saturdays/Sundays.

A Hidden Gem with Stunning Views and Exceptional Wines!…read more Beach House Winery is a true treasure nestled in the hills of Oceanside. The panoramic views from the rooftop patio are breathtaking, offering a serene backdrop of rolling vineyards and the distant ocean. It's the perfect setting for a relaxing afternoon of wine tasting. The wines here are diverse. Each varietal is thoughtfully crafted, showcasing the winery's dedication to quality. We particularly enjoyed the Tempranillo and Syrah, both rich and flavorful. The owners are welcoming, and knowledgeable, making the tasting experience both enjoyable and informative. Their passion for winemaking is evident and adds a personal touch to the visit. The winery is also the owners' residence, which adds a charming, personal feel to the experience. Don't worry about limited parking at the top, one of the owners (the very kind husband!) will happily and safely drive you up and down the hill in a golf cart. Such a thoughtful touch and much appreciated! I'm looking forward to coming back to try more wines, and to check out the pizza vendor they had on-site. It looked and smelt amazing! Great wine, stunning views, and a friendly atmosphere, what more could you ask for?