June 10 - 11, 2019: Oceanside, CA
I take a short ride north on route 5 up the coast to Oceanside, California and then exit onto the Pacific Coast highway. Somehow without planning, often that is the best, I am on the original route 101, kind of the California coast version of the “mother road” or Route 66. This section of road back in the day was the only road up the coast, quite a lot has changed. On entering Oceanside I come upon a diner, the 101 Cafe with nostalgic eye catching murals and as you know that stops me dead in my tracks. It looked interesting and I made a mental note to check it out later. Getting to the point, I returned for breakfast the following morning to find that it is the oldest diner in Oceanside, built in 1925 which is pretty historic in Oceanside. It is tastefully decorated inside with many old Oceanside photos provided by the local historical society and the breakfast was great, best so far this year !
 |
| Don't understand what the flying pigs have to do with Oceanside ? |
 |
| The 101 Cafe was cool |
 |
| Probably one of the most photographed murals in Oceanside |
 |
| I thought this historical photo inside was great |
 |
| Hot rods that pulled in were also great ! |
My first objective is to visit the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia. It was built in 1798 and has an amazing history. I am trying to see as many of these California missions as practical. I have no religious convictions in this, I'm simply fascinated by this period of history and the architecture.
 |
| That's a beauty by any standard |
 |
| Great bell tower |
 |
| Interior view |
 |
Father Joseph O'Keefe who had the task of restoring the
mission in 1893, he seems to be deep in thought |
 |
| He had much to think about, it was in very deteriorated condition |
Afterwards I travel 20 miles north into the Pala Indian reservation to visit the Mission San Antonio de Papa. It was a small, sort of satellite mission of Mission San Luis de Francia for the Pala Indians. It is the only mission with a free standing bell tower. Across the street was an interesting late 1800's general store still open for business, I bought a candy bar.
 |
| It's a small simple adobe building |
 |
| Interior view |
 |
| Nice paintings and Indian artifacts inside |
 |
| The free standing bell tower |
 |
| The Pala Store |
Oceanside also has a fairly interesting downtown area with many shops, bars, cafes and restaurants. Also a really nice municipal building complex including a nice library with water pools and fountains in front. Of course, as usual, there were a couple of raving lunatic homeless types loitering in front. In checking the local flavor, I found a bar loaded with character and characters, kind of an biker-surfer alternative Cheers, where everyone knows your name.
 |
| The Star Theater |
 |
| A very interesting BBQ restaurant |
 |
| The City Hall complex is impressive |
 |
| As is the Library complex |
One of the big issues with van camping is keeping clean and sanitary and I was starting to feel and smell more than a little funky. One of the things you can do at the beach is smear a little shampoo in your hair, lightly pre soap your body, preferably with biodegradable products, and the dark when no one is watching hit a free beach shower. The water will likely be ice cold, but it works, you will be invigorated and good for a few more days.
 |
| Oceanside has a nice pier |
 |
| Many surfers who appear good at this |
 |
I just wanted to stare at all the stuff on the bathroom walls,
but that seems a little perverted ? |
There is one casino in town so I headed there to spend the night in their parking lot. I went inside thinking to give them a few dollars on the slots only to find that this is a serious casino, tables games only, a high roller casino operation. Way too serious for me !
It seems to be that time of year here on the California coast when every morning is cool, foggy and cloudy, not so good for the beach. Then about 2-3 PM it clears and becomes a beautiful day, can’t say that this climate is as great as it's hyped. Still rather be here than Tucson today where it is over 100 degrees.
 |
| Pretty nice view |
 |
| The pier lights up nicely at night |
On my second night I decide to park in a grocery store parking lot across the street from the casino where I had seen RV’s parked in the early morning. I was rousted by a security guy at about 10 PM who was nice enough, probably happens a lot, to tell me of a good spot a quarter mile away adjacent to a park area. It was quiet and peaceful until about 7 AM when man in the park started screaming obscenities at someone, seemed to be young boy, which went on for quite a while. This kind a thing will happen when you are camping in a poor urban setting. That’s why I am carrying a can of mace.
I really have no cause to stay here any longer, time to move on.
Next stop will be San Clemente, California
No comments:
Post a Comment