Christmas at Pelican Cove

The Pelican Cove is all decked out for the holidays.  Pelican Cove gift certificates are a great gift or you can come stay with us as you shop in our local shops for those last few gifts to fill your loved ones stockings.  www.pelican-cove.com

Holiday at the Rancho!

The Leo Carrillo Ranch is having "Holiday at the Rancho"  this Saturday December 3rd.  The event is from 5 to 8 pm and tickets are available at http://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/departments/parksandrec/Pages/holiday-at-rancho.aspx .  Come join the holiday fun!!!

Cabrillo National Monument and Lighthouse

Enjoyed visiting the Cabrillo Monument and Lighthouse with my parents.  There is such a great view of all of San Diego from there.  It is about a 35 minute drive from the Inn.  Lovely vantage point.  More information on www.nps.gov/cabr/ . Great day trip from Pelican Cove Inn.

Oceanside Pier

Walking out to Ruby's Restaurant at the end of the Oceanside Pier is a fun way to spend an afternoon.  Such a beautiful view of the ocean and all the surfers.  There are lots of people fishing off the pier and a resident pelican that loves to wait for fish scraps.  Ruby's old fashioned shakes and burgers are a treat once you get to the end of the pier.  Check it out next time you stay at Pelican Cove www.pelican-cove.com.   

Carlsbad Chocolate Bar

This is the best place to pick up a unique box of chocolates for that special occasion.  The Carlsbad Chocolate Bar www.carlsbadchocolatebar.com is located 4 blocks from the Inn. Great place to taste wine, enjoy a little chocolate or sit and have a specialty coffee with a delicious dessert.  Stop by next time you are in Carlsbad!

Fall Rose

Took this today.  Fall in Carlsbad is so lovely.  Blue skies, sunshine and warm.  I had some guests earlier this week heading back to Idaho and to 7 inches of snow!!! So hard to imagine when you are in Carlsbad that colder weather is happening in other parts of the U.S.  Come warm your bones in Carlsbad!! www.pelican-cove.com

Still Summer In Carlsbad!!

Love this time of year!  It is still sunny and 70 and the beaches are beautiful.  Lots of room and so peaceful.  Come and enjoy our endless summer here in Carlsbad with a stay at the Pelican Cove Inn www.pelican-cove.com.

Oktoberfest!!!

Carlsbad Oktoberfest is coming this Saturday October 1st.  Come join the old fashioned fun at this community event.  For more information go to www.rotaryoktoberfest.org .  See you there!!

Art Splash 2011

Love our square this year!!  Elizabeth Butler did ours and did such a terrific job.  She is so talented!!  Thank you Elizabeth!!!

Refreshing My Old Sign

Boy did our old sign need a facelift!  Almost finished.  Just a few more details and up it goes again.  This beautiful beach air is great, except on wood! 

Art Splash Is Coming Soon!!

Carlsbad Art Splash will be happening on Saturday and Sunday September 24th and 25th.  In addition to all the beautiful chalk art and art displays from years past, this year there will also be a cancer run/walk.  Check out the website at www.carlsbadartsplash.org to sign up and also get more information about this event.  Spend the weekend at Pelican Cove Inn www.pelican-cove.com so you can enjoy both days of this terrific event.  Come and help support our local schools art and music programs!

Big Surf!!

There is a big surf advisory here in Carlsbad right now.  The surfers are LOVING it!!  You may want to take a lesson or two from Pat at the San Diego Surf Academy www.surfsdsa.com before you hit THESE waves.  Stay at Pelican Cove and surf with Pat.  Couldn't get any better.

Vista Summergrass Festival

If you like bluegrass, this might be a fun activity for you this weekend.  This is located about 15 minutes from our bed and breakfast.  More details at www.summergrass.net . 

Yummy Moist Banana Bread

This Banana Bread Recipe is from my Mom's church cookbook.  It is so good! 

Moist Banana Bread
1 ¼ cup sugar
3 eggs (separated)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp soda
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup mashed bananas (about 2)
½ cup butter
½ cup buttermilk
1 ½ cups flour

Dissolve soda in buttermilk. Cream butter and sugar. Add egg yolks and mix well. Blend in bananas, buttermilk and nuts. Stir in flour. Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into flour mixture with vanilla. Pour into loaf pan (well greased and floured) and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. It may take a little longer than an hour. Just check center with a knife until knife comes out fairly clean.
ENJOY!!

Craftmanship Museum

I had a guest that was looking for something interesting to do and he came upon the Craftsmanship Museum.  It is located here in Carlsbad and Mr. and Mrs. Schlafman shared the information with me.  Check out their website at www.craftmashipmuseum.com . Quite interesting.  Something else fun to do when you come and stay at the Pelican Cove Inn www.pelican-cove.com.

Pelican Collection

It is so fun seeing all the different types of pelicans that people find. This one may be the inspiration for our Art Splash square. So unique!

Oatmeal Cookies

Love this oatmeal cookie recipe. All but this lone cookie were eaten before I could get a photo of the plate full of cookies. It is the one on the box of oatmeal and I have never found a recipe that beats it. I had a request from a lovely couple in England to please send them the recipe. I figured I may as well post for everyone at the same time. Enjoy!!!

Oatmeal Cookies

½ cup plus 6 Tablespoons softened butter
¾ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 ½ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
3 cups oats (quick or old fashioned)
1 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Mix well. Add oats and raisins. Mix well.

Drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes.

Switchfoot BroAm

It is here again June 16th to 18th!! The Switchfoot BroAm is a great event that supports Stand up for Kids. So nice to see a band that has done so well for themselves continue to give back. Come stay at the Pelican Cove Inn http://www.pelican-cove.com/ for the weekend to enjoy the fun! For more information on the event go to http://www.switchfoot.com/ and click on the Bro Am under the news section. See you there!! *picture from wendmag.com*

Top Deck

Sitting up on the top deck is such a great way to pass the afternoon hours. There is such a great breeze up there. Just need a drink with an umbrella in it to make it perfect!! Come stay at Pelican Cove Inn www.pelican-cove.com

Morning in Carlsbad

There is nothing nicer than starting a Saturday morning walking down to the beach with a hot cup of coffee. The birds are singing. People are surfing. Lots of walkers and joggers along the sea wall. What a peaceful way to start a day. Come experience Carlsbad. Stay at Pelican Cove Inn www.pelican-cove.com .

Lemons, Lemons Everywhere!!

Our lemon tree just keeps producing. My husband, Kris, made the best basil lemonade a while ago. I guess it is time for more!

View Leaving Costco

I am constantly amazed by the beauty that surrounds me everyday when running errands and such here in Carlsbad. I shot these two pictures as I am leaving the Costco parking lot. We truly live in an incredibly beautiful place.

A Breath Of Spring!

(Photo by San Diego Beaches and Adventures) The Flower fields are in full bloom and as lovely as ever. Check out the website of the Flower Fields http://www.theflowerfields.com/ to see all the events going on at the Flower Fields. Come stay at Pelican Cove over Easter weekend and venture over to the fields. A wonderful spring activity to do! http://www.pelican-cove.com/

Carlsbad Beach Grill

Just enjoyed a lovely lunch (with lovely company...thanks Susan!!) at the Carlsbad Beach Grill. They have the BEST sweet potato fries I have ever had. The sandwich is a BLTA (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato and Avocado) and it was delicious! The fried zucchini is served with a great apricot sauce that compliments the zucchini so well. It is walking distance from the Inn. Check out their website at www.carlsbadbeachgrill.com .

The Carlsbad 5000 Is Back!!!

image from Carlsbad Magazine

The Carlsbad 5000, dubbed the fastest 5K, is back! This weekend on Saturday and Sunday the fun family events of the Carlsbad 5000 will be underway. Go to http://carlsbad.competitor.com to get more information. Come stay at Pelican Cove Inn and walk to the start! www.pelican-cove.com .

So Pretty!

These flowers are so pretty. They form their own little bouquet. There is so much color everywhere right now. It is a treat for the eyes. Make a reservation to come and stay www.pelican-cove.com . See you soon!

Laguna Room Update

We did a little update to the Laguna room. It still has the bright, sunny beach feel, but with some great black and white beach photos. It was fun to add a little "punch" to the room. Come and see the changes. www.pelican-cove.com for reservations.

Strawberry Season (First of Three!!)

Yea!! Strawberry season (the first of three) is under way here in Carlsbad. We are lucky to have delicious strawberries available fresh from the field from now until well into summer. You must come and enjoy the beautiful sweet berries grown here in our city of Carlsbad. When you stay at Pelican Cove Inn www.pelican-cove.com, we often serve Carlsbad grown strawberries with our breakfast. Yum!!!

Beautiful Double Rainbow!!

This is the beautiful sight we were met with on Sunday morning. We had hard rain during the night and woke up to this amazing rainbow. I have never seen a rainbow so vivid or so complete from end to end. Too bad I didn't have a wide angle lens to capture the whole thing in one shot. Within minutes, it was gone.

Wow! This is a quilt. There is a display going on at the Oceanside Museum of Art www.oma-online.org with incredible quilts. There is also a great photography exhibit there. This is located just up the coast from the Pelican Cove Inn www.pelican-cove.com . Come stay and enjoy the great exhibits.

Vigiluccis Cucina Italiana

We are very fortunate to have great little restaurants within walking distance of the Pelican Cove Inn. This is Vigiluccis over on state street. Their website is http://www.vigiluccis.com/ and you would select the Cucina Italiana. We walked over for dessert when my nephew and his girlfriend were here and the desserts were FABULOUS!!! Give them a try next time you stay at Pelican Cove Inn http://www.pelican-cove.com/.

It May Be Snowing Where You Are....

When I hear the news that snowstorms are hitting the U.S. left and right, the weather here in Carlsbad is even more appreciated. Reserve your room on our website, www.pelican-cove.com , and warm your bones!!

Stacked Rocks

These stacked rocks appear periodically down by the beach. What patience and concentration it must take to do this. Always a beautiful sight.

Snow? Not here!!!

It is winter...in MOST places! Here is Carlsbad it is sunny and 70. If you are looking for a winter get away from the snow, this is the place to be. Book your room today at www.pelican-cove.com. See you at the beach!!

Dinner for Valentine's Day

There are so many options for you to celebrate Valentine's Day when you stay at the Pelican Cove. We have wonderful restaurants withing walking distance and we would be happy to make those reservations for you. Another option is the Sweetheart Dinner for two being offered by Prontos Gourmet Market. Their website is http://www.prontosmarket.com/ and this shows their regular dinners to go. You can call them at 760.434-2644 to ask about the Sweetheart Dinners for two. We will be happy to pick it up for you and set it up in your room. Call us at 888-PELCOVE if you want help to set up your perfect Valentine's Day get away.

picture by arizonakate

Make Valentine's Day Extra Special!

What a great way to spend Valentine's Day! Snuggle by the fire with your special someone while enjoying champagne and chocolates. Book a room at the Pelican Cove Inn and add on the Romance Package which includes champagne, chocolates and roses in the room when you arrive. Book now at www.pelican-cove.com . Happy Valentine's Day!!!