Of course the fourth day of our vacation started with breakfast at Ocean View Cafe. Many tumblerfuls of iced tea with lemon is the way to start the day out right…

I ordered the Mediterranean Sampler that came highly recommended by the hot hubby…

Jeff ordered the same and we got a side of labni, pesto and avocado

Gracie ordered the ambrosia with yogurt and the chocolate croissant

after this heavenly breakfast, we were off to Venice Beach!

where we saw oh-so-many strange sights…

starting with the world’s greatest wine-o

we fought over the title a little bit, but he won 😉

Gracie posed with a surfing shark

a real live freak show…

lots and lots of people for as far as the eye can see…

Gracie wanted a cool balloon made by the Venice Beach balloon guy…

this guy is truly amazing.

he made this beautiful balloon for Gracie for one dollar

besides the tattoo artists and artists selling everything under the sun…

there are sculptors…

love his sign

and as much as I’m annoyed by copy cats…

this guy was HILARIOUS!

Jeff took VIDEO and we posted it on youtube

you can hear me laughing my head off in the background.

After Venice Beach…

Santa Monica Pier!

I dream about amusement parks by the sea…

this picture of the beach reminds me of vintage snapshots of old Coney Island

There is something magical about this type of place

the carnival sounds and smells

all of the people

sand and sea…

hmmm…I may have to write another poem

After walking around for awhile

we were hungry!

Time for dinner at

Maria Sol

remember my quest for the ultimate fish taco?

guess what I ordered…

this Baja-style fish taco was fantastic.

Red snapper? I’m there!

and of course the buffet of beach drinks…hee hee

Mai Tai

pina colada

and what would fresh fish be without a margarita? I ask you.

and Jeff with a giant beer

after the YUMMY tacos and drinks

we walked around a little more

Gracie posed with some exotic birds…

we walked around on the beach down by the pier

look at this beautiful carousel

dreamy dreamy dreamy

and this old-fashioned soda fountain

LOVED this day!

xoxo,

~Melissa