Sarah’s Travels

Hi! I am Sarah, the webmaster. I ride a small Harley Davidson called Baby Buell.
I put together some notes and photos about my favorite destinations these days
in case you like them as much as I do. Godspeed!
_________

Beach stops North of San Diego on Hwy 101 between Encinitas and La Jolla -- Sarah in California -- 7 May 2013

Carfiff Beach, almost in front of Ki's Restaurant: Looking North: Looking South: Magnificent SoCal views along Hwy 101 just before Torrey Pines, looking North: In case like me you wonder ...

Another Cantina bar in Pacific Beach, California: The very photogenic Cabo Cantina -- Sarah in California -- 24 April 2013

I tend to be perfectionist (although less and less as I am very well aware that perfectionism is an illness - balance is the virtue, not perfection) and I like to live in a very clean and organized ...

San Elijo Camp, Cardiff-by-the-Sea (North of San Diego) -- Sarah in California -- 21 April 2013

These pictures were taken at the top of the bluff at the San Elijo State Beach Campgrounds on Highway 101, North of San Diego. The parking lot itself is quite spectacular (my bike - extreme left - ...

The Junipero Serra Museum, Presidio Park, San Diego, Part 1 - The Building -- Sarah in California -- 15 April 2013

The Serra Museum overlooks the corner of highways 5 and 8 in Presidio Park in San Diego. I left a lot of the blue sky on this photo so you can feel the sunny waves of this beautiful Southern ...

Serra Museum, Presidio Park, San Diego, Part 2 - Gardens -- Sarah in California -- 15 April 2013

The gardens are very well kept, a lovely place where to spend some time meditating, looking at San Diego in the far distance, or just visiting the monuments that honor soldiers. Here is my favorite ...

Mission San Diego de Alcala (Part 1): The Church inside and outside -- Sarah in California -- 3 April 2013

Perched on a hill, the Mission is a nice visual surprise in a modern city like San Diego, simply pretty and inviting: Interesting historical details of the construction of the church from the ...

Mission San Diego de Alcala (Part 2): The Gardens -- Sarah in California -- 3 April 2013

The gardens of the Mission are a welcome oasis in a large city criss-crossed by expressways like San Diego: Historical facts from the information panel above: Statue of Padre Senna, the ...

Pacific Beach Cantina -- Sarah in California -- 3 April 2013

Pacific Beach reminds me a little of my dear Venice Beach (a friend once compared both by saying that Venice Beach is a mix of flavored ice creams while Pacific Beach is more like vanila ice cream). ...

Pacific Beach (in the North of San Diego) -- Sarah in California -- 2 April 2013

Pacific Beach is a beautiful beach and a Venice-Beach-like community in the North of San Diego. Residential area close to the pier: Nearby, looking South: Notice the small houses lining the Pier: ...

Mount Soledad, San Diego -- Sarah in California -- 2 April 2013

I posted some photos of Mount Soledad a few years ago, but here are more views from more angles. This is one of the most beautiful places in San Diego and I want to celebrate it with more photos. ...

My pilgrimages at the Swallows Inn in San Juan Capistrano -- Sarah in California -- 2 April 2013

Note: For privacy, on the photos I covered the patrons with blue rectangles For people who value freedom above anything else (like I do), this is THE pilgrimage! I will let the pictures talk for ...

The New Self Realization Fellowship (SRF) Chapel in Encinitas, California - Part 1: Outside the Chapel -- Sarah in California -- 18 February 2013

This is the new SRF OverFlow Chapel, located half way between the Temple and the Hermitage, on Second Street in Encinitas. View from the parking lot: The patio: The railing of the patio: Same ...

The New Self Realization Fellowship (SRF) Chapel in Encinitas, California - Part 2: Inside the Chapel -- Sarah in California -- 18 February 2013

The front of the sanctuary: Peaceful and beautiful (for privacy, on the photo, I covered each Devotee with a small triangle) The Teen Room: A photo of Yogananda at the entrance of the Teen ...

Self Realization Fellowship (SRF) Temple in Encinitas, California -- Sarah in California -- 18 February 2013

Always an oasis, a place of peace, a port: The SRF Temple on Second Street in Encinitas Impeccable landscaping (like at any SRF location): View of the sidewalk and parking lot: Isn't it an ...

Just beside the SRF Temple, the popular Darshan Bakery and Cafe -- Sarah in California -- 18 February 2013

The Darshan Bakery is a treat for coffee and pastry lovers, and also for the eyes of the visitors because it blends seamlessly with the peaceful harmony of the SRF Temple just beside: Irresistible ...

California Highway 18 to Crestline #1: These Photos are Dedicated to the Lovers of California's Blue Skies -- Sarah in California -- 13 February 2013

California Highway 18 to Crestline #2: VISTAS!!! -- Sarah in California -- 13 February 2013

How I love this part of the world!!

California Highways 18 and 138 to Crestline #3: Curving Roads Perfect for a Motorcycle Ride -- Sarah in California -- 13 February 2013

On some of the photos below, you will see the same road reappearing, after a U turn or two, on a higher section of the mountain:

California Highway 18 to Crestline #4: Climbing !! -- Sarah in California -- 13 February 2013

I hope you can feel from these pictures how steep the highway is at some places. The first time at least, driving there creates a delicious roller coaster feeling: Below is the ...

California Highway 18 to Crestline #5: Dramatic Grey Skies -- Sarah in California -- 13 February 2013

The one below was missed, but what a beautiful miss ! Our car was going quite fast and I did not have the time to raise the camera; the result is that I got the rail and two posts, ...

California Highway 18 to Crestline #6: Colors of the 1950's and Close Up on Vegetation -- Sarah in California -- 13 February 2013

I played with the light exposure of the following photos, increasing the highlights and midtones. The result is a 'look and feel' that we used to get in the post cards of the 1960's. ...

Coal Harbour: Harbour Green Park, the Waterfront Stores and Restaurants, and Back to Denman Street -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 13 November 2012

The Marinas of Coal Harbour, Skyline and Sea Wall -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 11 November 2012

Helter skelter, pictures of the marinas along the Sea Wall between the Pan Pacific Hotel and Stanley Park. If there seems to be a lot of boats on those pictures... it's because there are a lot of ...

The Pan Pacific Hotel and views of Burrard Inlet -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 9 November 2012

The Cascades Lounge of the beautiful Pan Pacific Hotel, water front, downtown Vancouver: On the left, the orginal East Building of the Convention Center/Pan Pacific Hotel, and on the right the ...

Halloween Ghost Train of Stanley Park - Part I: On the Train and through the Halloween Maze -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 8 October 2012

The grounds in front of the departure gate and the 2 sides of the Ghost Train railroad are really nicely decorated for Halloween. Even the ticket (on the left) is quite artistic. My camera could not ...

Halloween Ghost Train of Stanley Park - Part II: The Area in Front of the Departure Gates -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 8 October 2012

A great place for kids and their parents, for lovers, for seniors - the "Inner Child" of everybody is happy here: Follow this sign in the dark that says "Haunted Cafe" (on the left) and after a ...

Denman Street at Night, Late September -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 30 September 2012

The BaySide Lounge is located at the corner of Denman and Beach Ave, second floor (over the Starbucks), overlooking English Bay: One of the nicest locations in North America. This is the bar, right ...

Sept 22: Last Few Weeks of Flower Glory at the Pavilion of Stanley Park -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 23 September 2012

Dedicated to Fiona: The flowers of the Pavilion at their very best this September 22. Here is the view just below the terrace of the Pavilion where it is still pleasant to have lunch, even on rainy ...

Labor Day Flowers in Stanley Park - Part 1: Roses, Impatiens and Dahlias -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 9 September 2012

Labor Day Flowers in Stanley Park - Part 2: Flower Beds -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 9 September 2012

Labor Day Flowers in Stanley Park - Part 3: The Pavilion -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 9 September 2012

Labor Day Flowers in Stanley Park - Part 4: The Terrace of the Pavilion -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 9 September 2012

The view from the Terrace: The tall trees of Stanley Park, a very soothing environment:

Labor Day Flowers in Stanley Park - Part 5: The Small Pond near the Pavilion -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 9 September 2012

Vancouver blooming in April - Part 1: Some of my favorites -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 17 June 2012

Soft and soothing, blue and pink: Small park at Gilford and Haro, one block from Stanley Park: Northern half of the same small park: Path covered with pink cherry blossom petals: Same path, ...

Vancouver blooming in April - Part 2: Flowers in Stanley Park -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 17 June 2012

The North side of the Pavilion of Stanley Park, which was built in 1911: Tulips in front of the Pavilion: Lawn in front of the Pavilion, from a different angle: Bush covered with small flowers, ...

Vancouver blooming in April - Part 3: Street Flower Vases -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 16 June 2012

Vases of yellow tulips maintained by the staff of the Vancouver Parks Board, near the Buchan Hotel (seen in the background) on Haro St: More yellow tulips: From a different angle: Vase of ...

Vancouver blooming in April - Part 4: As Seen From The Street -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 16 June 2012

West of Denman, 2 blocks from the beach: White rhododendron, corner of Gilford St: Same house with the street flower vases Azaleas at the entrance of an apartment building nearby: East of ...

Vancouver, The Ted and Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden - Part 1: Yellow & Orange -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 12 June 2012

The Ted and Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden, Mother's Day 2012 - Part 1: Yellow & Orange Located on the South-East side of Stanley Park, between Lost Lagoon and Second Beach - "In all, about ...

Vancouver, The Ted and Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden - Part 2: Pink & Red -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 12 June 2012

The Ted and Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden, Mother's Day 2012 - Part 2: Pink & Red Located on the South-East side of Stanley Park, between Lost Lagoon and Second Beach - "In all, about 4,500 ...

Vancouver, The Ted and Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden - Part 3: White & Mauve -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 12 June 2012

The Ted and Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden, Mother's Day 2012 - Part 3: White & Mauve Located on the South-East side of Stanley Park, between Lost Lagoon and Second Beach - "In all, about 4,500 ...

Vancouver: White Cherry Blossom (April) -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 11 June 2012

Photos of white cherry blossom in the West End of Vancouver, in April. Corner of Georgia and Denman: In front of the Sylvia Hotel: In Stanley Park (near Miniature Farm): Near ...

Vancouver: Pink Cherry Blossom (April) -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 11 June 2012

Photos of pink cherry blossom in the West End of Vancouver, in April: Below: Mole Hill Houses.

California: Nacimiento-Fergusson Road, off Hwy 1 (between Monterey & San Luis Obispo) -- Sarah in California -- 24 January 2012

Absolutely delicious California Sunday drive, mid January, northbound on Hwy 1 from Oxnard and then up the mountain on the narrow, steep and winding Nacimiento-Fergusson Road (Road 22S01), all the ...

California: Beautiful vistas - Photos taken while riding along the Southern California coast -- Sarah in California -- 27 November 2011

View from the Santa Barbara Pier, looking South: The Pier itself, looking West towards the Ocean: The Griffith Observatory of Los Angeles, situated on the mountain famous for the white HOLLYWOOD ...

California: Those fabulous purple trees (Jacaranda) in Venice -- Sarah in Venice -- 2 November 2011

Large Jacaranda trees on Appleton Way in Venice, early June. To me, they looked surreal because I had never seen purple trees before. I used to ride my bicycle on that street every day on my way to ...

California: Remembering Yogananda while riding throughout South California -- Sarah in SoCal -- 2 November 2011

"On March 7, 1952, the great guru entered mahasamadhi, a God‑illumined master’s conscious exit from the body at the time of physical death" (source: website of Yogananda's Self ...

California: The Rock Store, a famous biker hangout on Mulholland Hwy (in the hills behind Malibu) -- Sarah in Malibu -- 13 August 2010

The Rock Store: Restaurant (great breakfasts) and bar open on weekend days. The store itself, viewed from the restaurant: The store and the lower-level restaurant (there is a restaurant on the ...

California: Glorious daily ride on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) between Point Mugu and Santa Monica -- Sarah on PCH -- 1 November 2011

Riding North, with the 5:00PM sun - Life can't get any better: Riding South, not far from Point Mugu: Same view, with more mountains: Somewhere in Malibu: That sign is totally right. ...

California: Riding in the canyons along Pacific Coast Hwy between Malibu & Point Mugu -- Sarah in Malibu -- 13 August 2010

Baby Buell, my bike. She is the perfect bike for canyon roads: Observation stop near the Rock Store on Mulholland Hwy: Zoom on the same spot The view below: View from one of the canyon roads ...

California: Afternoon at the Del Coronado, San Diego -- Sarah in San Diego -- 1 November 2011

The front of the hotel The famous rotunda: Viewed from a different angle: View from the terrace at the back of the hotel: Special feelings for this place... The swimming pool, of course: ...

California: Venice Beach (the center of my little world) -- Sarah in Venice Beach -- 30 October 2011

There are many things in Venice Beach that remind me of the 1960's. As I did not really live my 1960's, Venice Beach fills that void in my heart. The proximity of the Ocean, the beautiful ...

Vancouver: The Colors of Winter at English Bay -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 27 November 2011

Cold, grey, choppy water at English Bay: End of November: Snow on the mountains. Some 25 years ago, there was almost never any snow in Vancouver, but in the last 5-6 years, the weather has been ...

Vancouver: Early November Along English Bay -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 12 November 2011

English Bay in a reflective mode (I left the picture full screen so you can get a feel for English Bay's beauty under the rain): Same location, looking towards Kitsilano: Half a kilometer to ...

Vancouver: Pretty Autumn Colors in the West End -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 31 October 2011

Typical West End street at the end of October: Haro St, near the Denman Community Center: How our streets looked before their Autumn colors: This is the end of Robson, near Stanley Park: ...

Vancouver: My favorite sights downtown -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 29 October 2011

The best coffee in North America: Caffè Artigiano where their coffee is simply enthralling... Their baristas often win prizes for the artistry of their coffee presentations: The sidewalk in front ...

Vancouver: Beautiful Robson Street Under The Rain -- Sarah in Vancouver -- 29 October 2011

Vancouver is a beautiful city. Even under the rain. Which, during the winter, is often... But we get used to it; for example our Christmas reindeers become raindeers…. And life goes on….. The cute ...

Vancouver: English Bay -- Sarah in Vancouver, Canada -- 14 October 2011

English Bay from Second Beach: English Bay from Third Beach: View of West Vancouver approaching Third Beach on the seawall: Third Beach (half way, seawall around Stanley Park): My dear ...

Vancouver: Stanley Park's Lost Lagoon -- Sarah in Vancouver, Canada -- 14 October 2011

Lost Lagoon is the home of The Swans of Stanley Park. View of Lost Lagoon from the north side (near the overpass): View through the branches of a weeping willow tree: Walking under weeping ...

Vancouver: The Rose Garden of Stanley Park - Part 1: The roses -- Sarah in Vancouver, Canada -- 14 October 2011

Stanley Park Pavilion sign on Pipeline Road that crosses the Rose Garden (see the cables for the electric buses): "Chicago Peace", my favorite rose: Close up of 3 "Chicago Peace" roses: Light ...

Vancouver: The Rose Garden of Stanley Park - Part 2: The cottage and flower beds -- Sarah in Vancouver, Canada -- 14 October 2011

The fairy tale cottage, lost in vegetation: Close up of the cottage: The lawn just before the cottage: The sun flower bed: Close up (we can see the Landmark Hotel in the background, one mile ...

Vancouver: The Pavilion of Stanley Park -- Sarah in Vancouver, Canada -- 13 October 2011

The Pavilion, one of the most charming locations of Stanley Park: Close up of the Pavilion: Restaurant entrance: Red umbrellas on the terrace of the restaurant: The garden just in front of ...

California: The Encinitas Hermitage of Yogananda, Self Realization Fellowship (SRF) - Part 1: The Hermitage -- Sarah in Encinitas, California -- 10 October 2011

Immaculate lawn (like anything SRF): A friend once told me, "There is perfection... and there is SRF perfection!" Here is an example: Elaborate tiles from India on the North wall of the outdoors ...

California: The Encinitas Hermitage, Self Realization Fellowship (SRF) - Part 2: The garden -- Sarah in Encinitas, California -- 10 October 2011

No worry, no pain resists Yogananda's Peace at the garden of his beloved Hermitage. White perfection and abundance: A friend to most visitors, symbol of the Unfolding Self: The fish pound: ...

California: The Encinitas Hermitage, Self Realization Fellowship (SRF) - Part 3: The bluff and the ocean -- Sarah in Encinitas, California -- 10 October 2011

The so healing garden along the bluff, one of my favorite places on earth. View of the Pacific Ocean from the top of the bluff, always soothing: A little to the left - Swami's Beach and its ...

California: Happy days on the beaches of Oxnard -- Sarah in Oxnard -- 22 January 2011

Blending, blending with the sand, the ocean, the sky, the sun…. No more Sarah for a while…. All the worries disappear... More blending… You can see above the horizon, a satellite being ...

Mexico: So Many Temptations in Ensenada, Mexico....!! -- Sarah -- 9 January 2011

You will find wonderful gifts to celebrate your beauty in Ensenada. One of the irresistible jewelry stores, full of very unique creations made of native gems, stones and highest quality silver, is ...

Mexico: My All-Mexican Christmas Gift to Myself -- Sarah -- 21 December 2010

The thought had been lingering in my mind for a while... And suddenly as I passed in front of Fernando's stand on Lopez Mateos, I had the first clear vision of my Christmas gift to myself this ...

Mexico: Christmas at La Tortuga, Ensenada -- Sarah -- 21 December 2010

All the photos below: La Tortuga, my favorite restaurant, delightfully decorated for Christmas. That Christmas tree was really beautiful: A welcome splash of red during those rainy days: Those ...

Mexico: A great Mexican restaurant in Ensenada: Las Cazuelas -- Sarah -- 25 November 2010

Las Cazuelas is not in the tourist zone per say; it's 1/2 mile south of the bridge, just off the Costero Boulevard on Delante. The Mexican food is delicious. And the place itself is very ...

California: PJ's bike -- Sarah -- 1 January 2011

Those of you who read my previous post about Bartels' Harley Davidson in Marina Del Rey will remember PJ (third photo from the top) at Bartels' Motor Clothes Dept. She just sent me a pic of ...

California: Where it all started: Bartels' Harley Davidson in Marina Del Rey, California -- Sarah -- 25 November 2010

Bartels' Harley Davidson ("We race what we sell") in Marina Del Rey is my idea of heaven on earth. It's also one of the most dangerous places for me on earth because I would buy everything in ...

Mexico: Beautiful blouses handmade in Oaxaca, lovely jewels ... And a Big Hug -- Sarah -- 21 November 2010

Each time I miss my Mom a little too much, or if I feel lonely, I make it a point to pass in front of Betty and her daughter Rosa Maria's shop on Lopez Mateos in Ensenada (same block as El Rey ...

Mexico: It's easy to be very happy in Ensenada - Two more examples: El Correcaminos and Las Bugambilias -- Sarah -- 19 November 2010

Yesterday, I discovered two more wonderful restaurants here. El Correcaminos is located just East of San Fernando on La Ruta Del Vino, about 8 miles East of El Sauzal/Ensenada. I had heard about one ...

Mexico: My view in the morning, riding from El Sauzal to Ensenada -- Sarah -- 18 November 2010

Every morning without exception, I ride my motorcycle to the tourist area of downtown Ensenada for a delicious breakfast or brunch. I love every second of the view I have on this 4-mile trip between ...

Mexico: Delicious Italian coffe in Ensenada -- Sarah -- 28 October 2010

There are three places on Lopez Mateos (the tourist street where I go every day without exception) where I get delicious espresso: El Rey Sol, an Internet Cafe one block north of La Tortuga, and at ...

Mexico: Vegan / vegetarian life in Ensenada -- Sarah -- 21 October 2010

I find everything I need here. It's just a matter of asking Alexandra, Louis, Jorge or Omar at one of my favorite restaurants or espresso shops and right away they draw a map on my napkin... 2 ...

Mexico: Tour of the L.A. Cetto Winery in Guadalupe, Baja California - Part 1 -- Sarah -- 26 September 2010

I am so busy living my life that I hardly have time to write about it. Two days ago, I took a (free) tour with (free) wine degustation at the plant of L.A. Cetto in Guadalupe, Baja California, ...

Mexio: Tour of the L.A. Cetto Winery in Guadalupe - Part 2 -- Sarah -- 26 September 2010

Continuation of our visit of the L.A. Cetto winery. Lab or control center: Large tanks outdoors: Impeccable grounds: Madonna: Mexican Heroes: One of the wine degustation rooms: Our guide ...

Mexico: The Oh La La! hill of Ensenada... -- Sarah -- 18 September 2010

For those of you who follow the adventures of my bike Baby Buell and myself in Mexico, you will remember that there was a Lala truck a few days ago that almost turned the undersigned into an ex ...

Mexico: Guadalupe (25 miles north east of Ensenada) -- Sarah -- 18 September 2010

Holy crap... I literally saw myself today spitting on my riding goggles to wipe out a smashed fly with a dirty Kleenex... I am free!! I got rid of all that crap that I studied in school and ...

Mexico: My restaurant life in Ensenada, a new restaurant everyday -- Sarah -- 16 September 2010

There is a great choice of restaurants in Ensenada in the touristic/centro zone. The food is delicious and inexpensive, worth the trip from San Diego: Here is one of my favorite breakfast ...

Mexico: La Ruta Del Vino Part 2. Can't get enough of that road... -- Sarah -- 15 September 2010

I went back today to La Ruta Del Vino because the pavement is very good and there is almost no traffic, an ideal place where to leisurely enjoy one beautiful scenery after another. Today's ...

Mexico: La Ruta Del Vino. Wow! -- Sarah -- 12 September 2010

Ohhh... Mexico has impressed me again! I overcame the fear of riding alone in a new territory - I used fear as a power, and it felt so good!! - and I am just back from a wonderful motorcycle ride 35 ...

Mexico: Beautiful Bufadora, Ensenada -- Sarah -- 24 August 2010

Mmmmm... I am starting to LOVE Mexico. Before I moved to Mexico, I was told over and over that Mexico was a dangerous place. "You will get killed. You will be kidnapped for a ransom. A woman alone… ...