The Wave!

We traded Imperial Beach for a day at the water park on Wednesday.

Sun was out and the water was perfect!

The Wave is a small water park in Vista, CA.  Close to home and reasonably priced.

We LOVE big parks, but this one works nicely for us because all three kids can ride everything.  

It's located near lots of restaurants, a cupcakery, a movie theatre and more.  Just a few miles from our house.  Perfect!

Groupon has 1/2 price tickets right now.  3 kids and I all got in for $33.  The website said that no food could be brought in, but bags were not checked and I saw plenty of people snacking on their own food.  

Laine loved the splash park.

We arrived early and set up near the lazy river.  I could see every ride in the park and we were close to the bathrooms and snack bar.

Boys both played on the surfing simulator.  Sweet Laine waited in line 3 times, but chickened out.  Fine by me......I was intimidated by it!

Look at my big kids.  :)

Such a fun summer day.

This was our first visit to The Wave and I was totally impressed.  Life guards were super attentive.  Everything was clean and well taken care of.  Recommend!

It's nearly 6pm and I'm ready for bed. 

Waterparkin' is hard work!

Scoop

Starnes summer is in full effect.

And, Sass was in town!  

We met her at The Del for a beach visit.

Kids adore Sass.

And, kids adore the beach.

And, while we were there the long awaited tooth finally fell out.  While Jack was content waiting until 2nd grade to lose his first tooth, the Pacific Ocean had other plans.  He went out to play with a tooth and returned without it.  

And, naturally, we're sure a shark, dolphin or jelly fish stole it.

Sweet Starnes children.

We followed our visitors back to the W downtown for a swim.  Kids love the pool.

Headed back to Oceanside and Jack sat down with Dad to write the Tooth Fairy a letter.

And, the Tooth Fairy came through, regardless of the missing tooth.

Here is our real life Jack-O-Lantern.

So sweet.

Father's Day included a yummy breakfast casserole and a golf day for the boys.

Girls hit the beach since we don't like boring golf.

And, when the boys returned home, we made friendship bracelets.

We totally know how to party.

This week includes a day trip to Imperial Beach.  Researching the area now.  

I love summer!

West Coast Travel Report - Ocean Beach, California

This is totally the kind of day that I love.  New city, new sites to see...snacks and water packed...small budget for lunch.....and nothing but time.

Ocean Beach, California is a small beach community that "time forgot".  It's San Diego's answer to Haight & Ashbury.....lots of hippies and all sorts of kooky stuff.  We were in heaven!

We started by walking out on this pier.

There's a little cafe and tackle shop mid-way.

You can rent a fishing pole for $16.99 and fish license-free from the pier.  

Finished up there and walked the beach a bit.

Time for lunch!  While waiting at Hodad's, the kids walked to this candy store.

We couldn't pass up chocolate covered bacon.

Hodad's was super fun.  Made (more) famous by Guy on the Food Network......it did not disappoint.

Link HERE.

Laine and I shared a small cheeseburger.  Jack had chicken strips.  Carter braved the double with bacon.  He nearly finished it!

Both burgers and fries, chicken strips and a chocolate milkshake ran us $30.11 total, including tip.  Pretty impressive.

Time to walk the town a bit.

This Wonderland's is a pub.  The original Wonderland was an amusement park built almost 100 years ago......and opened July 4, 1913.  Sadly, a terrible storm swept it away a year later.  :(

Beach time.

Littles dug for crabs while Carter and I hung out.  New beach bag!  Another Etsy find, Kel, bought with your gift card!

Pruny hands.......with a baby crab.

And, then we finally got to explore the tide pools.  One of my favorite parts of life in California.

These guys are not fans of the Starnes children.

 Love seeing all the critters in their natural habitat.

These critters, too.

Sweet big brother!

We had a blast.  And, now we're considering OB for Fourth of July.  Rumor has it you can watch fireworks from the pier and then join in on a marshmallow fight on the beach afterwards.

Caroline, sounds right for us!

Ocean Beach on Dwellable