Hasta Luego, Tustin!

My time as a resident of Orange County has come to an end. I'm already back in LA, currently in Atwater Village for an extended housesitting gig. I plan to find a small space in the East LA / Boyle Heights area after that. I reached my goal of completely paying off a big chunk of student loan debt, but I still have some progress to make on my federal (lower interest rate) loans.

While I can't say that I have particularly made a 180 on my opinion of my hometown, some internal peace has come as a result of Tustin Adventuring. It's not fair to say that there is NOTHING to do in Tustin. That wouldn't give credit to the many Tustin Adventures I have described in this blog as well as the ones I did not get to (which are many!).

I probably won't continue this blog since I'll be in Tustin only for work from now on. But thanks for tuning in!  I'm glad I could share my experiences over the past eight months. Looking back, I guess I did do some pretty fun stuff.

Tutoring

I was recently hired by a Tustin-based tutoring company, which has been occupying much of my post-work free time. Hence, fewer opportunities to Tustin Adventure. I'm ok with it. It's not much but it is enough to pay for some gas or groceries during the week, so that's cool. And it's fun! I spend all day dealing with adults and doing mostly computer work, so it's very rewarding to work with students at the end of the day.

Laxmi Sweets and Spices

Another entry about FOOD!? Sure, why not?

I visited Laxmi Sweets and Spices with my sweetheart back in November during his visit to Tustin. Ever since have been dreaming about returning to this unassuming Indian market for lunch. This place is a total gem. The $8 lunch buffet gets you all you can eat fresh baked basked of Naan Bread (plain or garlic) along with numerous options of tasty vegetarian and meat entrees. I highly recommend the tikka masala chicken.

The dude who runs the shop makes all the food. Charming, afforable, friendly, and delicious. What more could you want?

Laxmi Sweets and Spices
638 El Camino Real 
Tustin, CA 92780

$8 plus tax for lunch buffet

Less than 1 mile away

El Cholo Restaurant

El Cholo is a La Habra favorite. I can always count on delicious food, strong margaritas, and good conversation with my pal and mother of Baby M during our visits to El Cholo. I like visiting this place, and it's right around the corner from where she lives with her boyfriend and daughter, so everyone wins!

We met up with another friend of ours who braved the weeknight commute to OC for dinner a couple weeks ago. Always a treat to hang with others south of the Orange Curtain. Although visiting El Cholo is out of range of the 10 mile radius, and between two drinks and dinner I spent more than $15, but 'eff it. Rules be damned. Viva El Cholo!!

El Cholo

840 E Whittier Blvd 
La Habra, CA 90631

Approximately 18 miles away

Lazy Dog Cafe

Part of the reason that I work in the OC is because I like the place and the people with whom I work. This is an important factor in any person's life, as we all know. It only takes one Nosey-Nancy or Sour-Sally to turn a workplace into a stressful nightmare. Luckily, the folks I work with are pretty cool, so it was a bummer to say goodbye to one of my fellow employees last week as he moved on to bigger and better things.

To celebrate his career with the firm and give him our well wishes, we all went to lunch at the Lazy Dog Cafe in Orange. I had never been to this chain restaurant. This is the kind of place I would take my parents, which is not to say I was dissatisfied with the experience. Overall, it was nice. Safe, American food served quickly and without too much fuss. What's not to like? You can even bring your pup if you want to sit in their outdoor patio section.

Our group lunched out on the patio on a terrific March afternoon. Everyone got what they wanted since there was no shortage of menu options. And while it's sad to say goodbye to a cool work-mate, I had to pause and look down the table at the remainder of the nice and easygoing people I work with. I do feel very lucky in that regard.

Lazy Dog Cafe
1623 W Katella Ave
Orange, CA 92867

Approximately 7 miles away

Free because the Boss treated everyone to lunch

Muth Interpretive Center

There's plenty to be smug about in February in Southern California. Enough facebook comments and blog posts are dedicated to the Wow-Look-At-Us-We're-Wearing-Sandals-in-February topic, so instead I'll just say it was delightful weather to visit the Muth Interpretive Center in Newport Beach last week.

I took a long walk around the trails on the hillside near the center, even venturing down the bluffs where I have to admit, I got a little uncomfortable. Literally no one was around. Not a soul. Just me and the storks and the quiet splashes from the estuary. I don't know why I got a little freaked out, but I trusted my primitive cavegirl instincts and high-tailed back up to the walking paths.

Maybe it is not incorrect to characterize hiking around Upper Newport Bay as a primal experience. One does get a sense of what the area might look like without all the buildings and development. I stopped and read all the available signage about the usage, construction, and preservation of the estuary, dating back to tribal settlements of Native Americans.

The actual center is very cute and informative. Not much too it, but it is a nice place to stop in, drink some water, use the restroom, and read a little more about the estuary.

Here are some photos from my visit!

Upper Newport Bay Estuary

Bug's eye view

Inside the Muth Interpretive Center

The lonely estuary

Watch out, gopher!

Learning about the estuary

All in all, worth the trip out to Newport. I only wish I had brought my bike to explore the walking paths a little more. Maybe next visit!

Muth Interpretive Center
Upper Newport Bay

2301 University Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660

Approximately 10 miles away

Free!

Bobby D's

My brother lives in San Diego and frequently makes trips up to Orange County to go to Disneyland. We all get cabin fever, and for him it's a relief to get out of the house and spend an afternoon at the happiest place on earth. Most of the time I wish I could join him, but right now my efforts are focused on paying of my student loans and Disneyland is hella expensive.

When he does come up to OC, however, we usually grab lunch or at least an afternoon coffee before he heads up to the park in Anaheim. This day in particular we met at Bobby D's Mexican Food in Orange. I personally wouldn't have gone all the way up to North Orange for Mexican food, but he wanted to check it out on a recommendation from a friend.

We met up for a late lunch on a Friday. He had the carnitas burrito and I had the 1/2 carnitas enchilada plate. I saw that they serve bottled beer but I was not in the mood for some suds that afternoon. All in all, a good experience, but I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here again. Nothing against Bobby D's. Maybe if I was running errands, or lived closer to the neighborhood I would have a more glowing review. I would reccomend it if you find yourself hungry, thirsty, and nearby.

Bobby D's
2139 N Tustin St
Ste 1
Orange, CA 92865

~$5 for 1/2 enchilada plate

Approximately 7 miles away 

Dinner with Baby M

I skated roller derby in Los Angeles for about 5 years. I have been "retired" now for about 3 years. And while I don't skate anymore, my core base of friends are mostly girls with whom I skated. It's now been 9 years since the inception of the LA derby league, and those of us who started in the beginning are doing our share of growing up. Getting married, getting divorced (in some cases), growing families, taking care of aging parents...etc, etc.  All the things that come with moving from your mid-twenties to creeping in on mid-thirties and beyond.

I enjoyed the company of one of my friends and former teammates for dinner in La Habra about a week ago. She has a 4 month old baby girl who is super duper adorable. We ate dinner and caught up at bit. Having no babies in my immediate family, it's fun to hang out with baby M and see what she's all about. At 4 months, she's just starting to smile and coo and engage with the world around her. I feel like I had just seen her not that long ago on our adventure to Laguna Lake Park, but how fast they do change! All in all, a terrific adventure and it was so nice to hang with a pal south of the Orange Curtain for a change.

Dinner in La Habra

Approximately 18 miles away

Tustin Library

I grew up visiting the Tustin Library. My mom is an avid reader and always enrolled me and my brother in the summer reading program at this friendly, community library. A lot has changed about the look of this library, but it remains a great place for family friendly activities and access to the Orange County Public Library system. It's not a big library, but houses a large children's section, a few study rooms, and enough tables to accommodate those who need a quiet place to study, write, or relax.

I've been frequenting the library ever since moving to Tustin in order to work on my kid's science theater program, Seas of Science. All in all, it has been a fantastic place to work. Here in the end of February, I'm actually pretty pleased with how much I've gotten done. So thanks, Tustin library. Thanks for being just the way you are.

Tustin Library
345 E Main St 
Tustin, CA 92780

Approximately 1 mile away. 

Tustin Farmer's Market

I'll be honest: the next two Tustin Adventuring entries are a cop-out. I have not been seeking out much in the way of suburban adventure since I have been pretty busy lately. I have been keeping up with my after-work habit of yoga at  Sanctuary Yoga and added in one weekly Zumba session at Enerji Fitness. It seems the last two weeks have flown by!

So I'll write about two places I visit quite regularly: The Farmer's Market and the Library. Starting with the farmer's market....

In short, this farmer's market rules I mostly stick with the same people on my Wednesday visits : the egg guy, the fruit stand that lets you mix and match for one price, the smiley vegetable dude who sometimes gives me free arugula, and the soft spoken bread lady. Sometimes I'll splurge on a breakfast burrito with chorizo, one of the tastier (and cheaper) offerings for ready-made food at the farmer's markets. I tend to steer clear of the food trucks since they are hella overpriced (in my opinion).

Free parking on El Camino Real and surrounding side streets. This farmer's market is a breeze compared to LA farmer's markets. Everything you need, everything you would want in a farmer's market, but without the pretentious hassle.

Tustin Farmer's Market

El Camino Real and 3rd St
Tustin, CA 92780

Wednesdays 9am-1pm

Free

Less than 1 mile away

Cream Pan

Cream Pan bakery on El Camino Real is a real gem. I passed it a few times on my way to work and failed to think much of it until one day I needed a coffee. A STRONG coffee. What I needed was a red-eye, so I stopped into Cream Pan since it's on my way to work. I was pleased to find so many pastry treats, sandwiches, and fresh breads available in addition to coffee and espresso drinks. There is a cute little seating area inside to kill time if you've got it. I dig the curry buns and yaki-soba sandwiches. Nice spot. So glad I stopped in.

Cream Pan

602 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92780

~$5-7 for coffee and a pastry or sandwich

Less than 1 mile away

Zumba at Enerji Fitness

Although I really dig my yoga classes at Sanctuary Yoga, I have been in need of something more. A workout that gets my heart beating. I have become soft (literally and figuratively) with my routine of yoga and walking. Walking and yoga. So I looked up on Yelp if there were any cheap (or free) Zumba classes in my area. For those unfamiliar, Zumba is a latin dance workout that incorporates a lot of booty shaking, fancy foodwork, clapping, arm waving, and other fun combos of waving/shaking/stomping/wiggling/jiggling. I used to take Zumba classes at the Hollywood YMCA with my pal Teresa and holy moly, was that a work out. By no means am I a graceful Zumba "dancer", but I like to think that what I lack in grace, I make up in exuberance.

My search lead me to Enerji Fitness at the corner of Irvine and Newport. Tucked in between a greek restaurant and a bridal shop, Enerji Fitness is a studio with kickboxing, yoga, barre, and zumba classes.

It was everything I hoped for! Heart pumping, legs stomping, booty wiggling...everything I missed about my workout at the old Y. Highly recommend checking this place out. The first class is free!

Enerji Fitness

13011 Newport Avenue
Suite 109
Tustin, CA

Free (first class only)

Approximately 1 mile away

Woodbridge Community Park

It's been unseasonably cold in So Cal for a few weeks, which is not saying much in comparison to the rest of the world. Help, it's 55 degrees!! Get the parkas and gloves!! HOW WILL WE SURVIVE!?!

Braving the "cold" I took a stroll around North Lake in Irvine last week after a particularly long day in the office. The sky was bright and blue and North Lake was very bucolic. Except for all the bird shit. Seriously, it was like a scene from Alfred Hitchcock movie. Birds. Everywhere.

North Lake is part of Irvine's Woodbridge Community, aka the epitome of suburban planned communities. It took me about an hour to do a leisurely walk around the man-made lake. Unless you're a resident, you don't get access to the little sandy beaches, or the tennis courts, or the playgrounds, or the kayaks, or the...well, you get the idea. It is Irvine after all.

Here are some photos!

A little beach you are not invited to sit on.

A tree lined street I suppose it's ok for you to walk down (if you must)

The walking path you best not dilly-dally on

North Lake, which you are allowed to look at, but not swim in

Birds that you best not bother

Ma'am, by taking my picture, YOU are dilly-dallying.

Another beach you are not invited to sit on. And my thumb. 

I suppose you can have one more look at the lake

More birds who are wondering when you'll be on your way

All joking aside, I should mention that one result of my Tustin Adventuring is that I am finally coming to peace with the idea that suburban communities, while not my bag, *are* the bag for some people. I should not judge people who want to live in a place like Woodbridge just because planned communities to not suit my tastes. Not everyone wants to live in LA. Not everyone wants to live in Woodbridge. That doesn't necessarily make one better than the other, just that  both options are suited to different types of people. I can respect that as it takes all kinds to make the world. If everyone is happy and comfortable in the end, it doesn't matter where you call home.

Woodbridge Community Park

20 Lake Road
Irvine, CA 92604

Free

~ 8 miles away

Naan & Kabob

Chalk this one up to a Yelp recommendation. Thanks, Yelp!

This place is right by my work, but I likely would never have gone inside if not for a yelp search of lunch specials in my area. I ordered the falafel lunch special and was delighted with my take-out meal. Falafel, hummus, rice, and naan bread for ~$9. Quick service too. Bonus that it is literally next door to Godfather's Lounge, which I have yet to round up my courage and visit. It's on the list for future adventures!

Naan & Kabob

416 E 1st St
Tustin, CA 92780

Less than 1 mile away

~$9 and change for falafel lunch special 

Columbus Tustin Park

CT Park is pretty much my go-to after work jogging spot. A few times a week I enjoy an evening walk or jog on the well maintained track. The park itself has a dirt track, tennis courts, basket ball courts, several baseball fields, and plenty of space for soccer practice. There are also indoor facilities (basketball court, restrooms) and a big playground for the little ones. Typically during the weeknights there are loads of people here, which is nice for the sake of safety. 

I admit that I never thought much about CT park growing up in Tustin, but I'm glad I can enjoy the amenities this charming community park has to offer.

Columbus Tustin Park

14712 Prospect Ave
Tustin, CA 92780

Less than 1 mile away

Free  

The Swinging Door

Ladies, ladies, ladies!

Every year my work hosts a holiday lunch at Quinns Old Town Grill. We pre-game with drinks at The Swinging Door. The Swinging Door is a dive bar with very scantily clad bartendresses. Not going to lie, every time I've visited, I'm reminded that I am heinously out of place.

I do recommend that you try the cheeseburger. Seriously. It's delicious.

The Swinging Door

355 El Camino Real
Tustin, California 92780

Free! (drinks  on El Jefe)

Less than 1 mile away

Newport Boat Parade

This was so fun! I had never even heard of the Newport Boat Parade, but lo and behold. In searching for my next adventure I came upon their website and decided I would catch the parade. I put on my cozy layers to stay warm and packed up my bicycle, figuring the best way to see the parade was to ride around the parade "route". This proved to be way awesome for several reasons: (1) I wasn't locked into viewing the boats from one vantage point (2) I parked hella far away and rode in, avoiding the stressful hunt for parking and (3) I got to cruise around the adorably decorated neighborhoods and take in all the pretty Christmas lights!

The parade was too cute. Some of my photos aren't that great (darkness + moving masses of light = photo difficulty). Although I dig what's going on with the lights reflecting off the water. The people watching was stellar too. After I had my fill of brightly lit yachts, I enjoyed a beer at The Village Inn on Balboa and finished my night with a ride in the exhilarating chill of So. Cal December back to my car. This whole experience was super fun. Yay! I love a parade!!

Newport Boat Parade

Starting at Newport Yacht Club
720 West Bay Avenue
Newport Beach, CA 92661 

Approximately 13 miles away

Free parking, but $6 for a beer at The Village Inn

SANTA!!

Cruising around the harbor