After a wonderful visit, we bid adieu to John, Carol, Hendrix and the bunnies and begin our drive north on the California coast.

We did a quick stop in Carlsbad to check out the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. Carlsbad Ranch is the largest production farm in Southern California with approximately 50 acres of blooming Giant Tecolote ranunculus.

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A view of one of the fields from the parking lot. As we had a few other things we wanted to see today we skipped wandering in the fields.

Old Mission San Luis Rey, the 18th, the largest and the most to prosperous of California's missions is known as the King of the Missions. It was build in 1798 by Franciscan friars to help educate and convert local Native Americans.

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Construction on this church began in 1811. Adobe bricks, fired clay tiles and wooden timbers were used. It is one of only two mission churches built in the shape of a cross.

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The nave of the church.

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A "secret garden" behind the museum.

Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded in 1776 by Father Junipero Serra. The Great Stone Church begun in 1797, is the largest structure created by the Spanish in California. And yes, this is the place that the swallows return to each. We saw a few nests but no swallows.

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The ruins of the Great Stone Church which was destroyed by the December 8, 1812 earthquake.

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North Corridor Mission School

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Looking down one of the corridors, sacred garden and the bell wall.

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The inside of the Serra Chapel.

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A quiet spot in the picnic area.

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Art shot.

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A butterfly enjoying the garden.

We stopped for the night in Costa Mesa just outside of Newport Beach and drove to the Balboa Peninsula, part of Newport Beach for dinner and a walk.

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Surfers were enjoying the waves on the ocean side of the peninsula.

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Looking back at the beach from the fishing pier.

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Marinas fill the inland side of the peninsula.