The Potato Shack, Encinitas, CA

I first heard about The Potato Shack from a running magazine. There was an article on post run pancakes. As a runner and avid pancake lover, I was floored that there was such a thing as "post run pancakes" and I was unaware. How could I not know about this?

There are plenty of potato options on the menu including fries, hash, and baked potatoes to name a few. I have yet to try them.

I'm all about the man hole cover pancakes. We get one with chocolate chips. It is huge in diameter and very thick with just the right amount of chocolately goodness in each bite. Come hungry or bring a friend to help you eat it all.

Today, Sam's eyes were bigger than his stomach. In addition to this huge pancake he ordered not one, but TWO orders of french toast. I was appalled at the amount of food when it arrived, however tucked in and went to work. The french toast was easily the best or second best I have ever had.

If you are in the area, do not miss out on the food here!

Cabo Cantina, Newport Beach, CA

Yesterday we ended up at Newport Beach near the pier for a late lunch. We choose Cabo Cantina in hopes of getting a spot with a view and a margarita. It was pretty happening when we arrived shortly after 3pm.

We ended up with a table by the bar sans a view. On Mondays, if you order a margarita as big as your head you get a free bean and cheese burrito. The burrito was large (though not as big as the margarita) and we split that along with chips, salsa and some guac.

The queso was okay. Well. Because its queso. However, still not the liquid, white queso from The East Coast for which we are still aimlessly hunting. The guac was also good, though not great. My husband enjoyed the salsa. I thought it was okay. It was watery (which I like) and of the roasted red pepper variety. I don't dig my salsa tasting like roasted peppers or chile's or whatever, but Sam doesn't mind.

Oh. Did I tell you we loved the margarita as big as my head? We split it and I'm glad we did. Not only did it pack a punch, but Sam ordered it frozen and it began to melt quickly. I'd like to try one on the rocks next time.

Our bill was around $25 which means the margarita was close to $20. Not sure I would have been thrilled with this if we hadn't gotten the free burrito. Otherwise we enjoyed our time at Cabo Cantina (with the exception of the bathroom which was disgusting).

I would go back again, particularly during happy hour. We arrived before happy hour, but the deals looked pretty decent.

Pedro's Tacos, San Clemente, CA

This place is legit.

Walk up to the window to place your order, then eat on the bench outside. There are no tables or bathrooms. 

Cash only, but there is an ATM next to the pick up window.

For less than a buck you can add potatoes to your taco or burrito.  This is definitely the way to go. 

Grab a taco where the locals go. You won't be disappointed. 

Our next trip to Maui: things we want to do next time

Eat at Mamas Fish House
Eat at Aloha Mixed Plate
Drink at Lahiana Coolers again
Shop at The Shops at Waliea
Spend more time at the Banyan Tree
Surf
Take a day trip to another island
Eat at Eskimo Candy again. Mmm poke!
Revisit the bar at Kimo's
Snorkel more
Get lei'd
The Old Lahaina Luau

Iao Valley Hike in Haleakala Park Drive and explore north western part of the island, including olivine pools. Eat shaved ice

Eskimo Candy, Maui, Hawaii

The owner of the B&B we stayed in recommended grabbing some food at Eskimo Candy on our first night on the island. We were not disappointed.

You can grab prepared food to go or eat in, order off the menu or get fresh or frozen seafood to go to cook at home.

The inside of the place really isn't much to look at, however the food and service more than made up for it.

I had the poke sampler which including four different kinds of poke along with seaweed salad.  My husband had a blackened fresh fish which came with a salad and fries. We took the food back to the B&B and ate inside in the AC.  The serving sizes were perfect, we were left satisfied, yet not overstuffed.

I strongly suggest grabbing a meal here if you are in the area.  This would be a good place to grab a meal on your first night in the area or on the island to bring back to your hotel or enjoy on the beach.  We are looking forward to going back.

Molokini Crater

We took a very crowded boat tour to Molokini Crater in Maui.  Breakfast including a few pastries and muffins, coffee and juice. Nothing special. Lunch was also provided which including burgers and hotdogs hot off the grill with all the fixings, pasta salad (good stuff!) and really good cookies. 

The views both to and from the crater were beautiful. Sometimes it's just fun to be on a boat and enjoy the wind in your hair and the salt on your lips. 

As far as the snorkeling goes, there was great visibility down below.  There were a few varieties of fish in the deep, blue water, however not much to see in terms of wild life compared to the other areas we snorkeled from the shore. 

The locals we spoke with had not been here as it is too touristy if that gives you an better idea.  This has been checked off my list and I have no desire to go back again. 

Check back soon for videos and underwater pictures of our snorkeling adventure. 

SoCal excursions

The longer I live in SoCal, the more I wonder 1) why I would ever leave and 2) how can I afford to stay.

California is so much larger than the East Coast states with which I am familiar.

I have spent the last month or so moving to San Clemente, CA and exploring the local area. I am trying to spend more time exploring and less time on the computer.  Thus, my lack of posting.

Check back soon for reviews on Maui, Seersucker in San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, and another review on Disney and California Adventure.

In the meantime, here are some updated travel/exploring lists:

SoCal Must Do List:

Burlap in Del Mar and Herringbone in La Jolla: Part of Chef Brian Malarkey's Fabric of Social Dinning, LLC.
Explore Dana Point
Tour the Missions
Santa Barbara
Palm Springs
Joshua Tree
Catalina Island
Revisit Santa Monica
Revisit The San Diego Zoo (especially the new Koalafornication exhibit)
Revisit The San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Revisit Temecula

West Coast Must Do List:

Seattle, WA
Portland, OR
Hiking in both Oregon and Washington state
Yosemite
Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, & Glacier and Banff
Phoenix, AZ (okay so this is Southwest, but we can drive there so I'm including it)
Mammoth for snowboarding
Tahoe
Sequoia National Park
San Francisco, CA

Other Trips on our Wish List:
Alaska and Canada-scheduled for this September!
Cabo
Europe: The UK, Italy, Austria, Germany, Spain...the list goes on and on

Did I mention I want to see all these places in the next 1-2 years?

Where do you want to go?  Have you visited any of the places on my lists? Any tips?