It is not about the destination it is all about the journey. I left home on a solo road trip to San Diego (09-18-2013). As I was driving south of the 5 freeway I spotted waves breaking over a rock jetty and knew I had to search this spot out in hopes that it can be surfed.
I am not sure why but the next exit on the freeway was 5-7 miles further down the road so I had to backtrack a bit to find my destination but that is exactly what I did. After traveling for 10+ minutes I stumbled upon the Oceanside Harbor. I found this amazing little Harbor, Park and social community. I continued a little further down the road and drove until I could not go any further and that is exactly where I found a dirt path that lead out through bush to where I believe the Jetty I observed from the freeway was located.
I followed the dirt path, found the jetty but it was on the other side of the fence separating public land from Camp Pendleton. Here I was by myself at the end of dirt path, near nothing and that is exactly where I found a unique plaque affixed to a rock on the water line (see attached picture).
I walked back to my car and found I had parked right next to where someone had carved 'Taz' into the sidewalk. 'Taz' is something my friends and I used to call each other in South Africa; what are the odds? I see something from the freeway, exit, backtrack, park, hike, what back to my car, parked near no one and find I parked right next to this (again picture attached).
I figured it was time to head back towards the freeway but wanted to explore some more. During my future exploration I found an apartment complex, a Hotel, a WWII memorial, clean public bathrooms, free parking, a restaurant and several other businesses. I once again stopped took my shoes off and reconnected with Mother Earth by walking through the grass while listening to the Ocean winds whip through the harbor.
I spent quite a bit of time just relaxing and listening to the sounds of the Earth. This little harbor is amazing. You have an eclectic range of yachts, boats, ships and zodiacs. As I looked out into the harbor I was amazed at how quiet it was. I observed a man and his dog heading out to sea on a zodiac, the dog was perched on the front of the zodiac and had such a smile on its face.
As I drove back towards the freeway I observed a large group of friends congregating / relaxing in lawn chairs near a WWII memorial. As I drove further I found boat slips, separate bathrooms for boat slip renters, public restrooms, boat slip office and a marine (water) related store.
I found this little harbor to be amazing. If you are looking to find a little area where you want to relax, reconnect with Mother Earth and forget the sounds of the freeway this is the spot. I am so glad that I exited the freeway and decided to track down the jetty I observed from the freeway. I have driven by this exit an easy 1,000 times with never stopping but I now will never pass this spot again without stopping.
Please do remember when you do come to visit places like this make sure whatever you bring you take home with you. Leave no trash and/or debris behind that could easily end up in the Ocean.
Keep our Ocean & Harbors Blue!!!!!!!!!! read more