Potato Shack for breakfast

Recently we went out to breakfast at Potato Shack in Encinitas (right off Coast Hwy 101). We sat outside at their patio seating with Penny. They are known for their famous Man Hole Cover size pancakes--they are bigger than, and over-hang the edge of your plate! (Each time they amaze me!) Last time we got omlettes which were great! And I really like their American Fries (which are like seasoned potato wedges), in which I always ask for salsa on the side. So good! Penny of course had to sprawl out in middle of the outdoor walkway so she didn't miss any of the action, but no one seemed to mind. Afterwards we took a walk along Coast Hwy to burn off all those calorie. Great day with the dog!

Cedros Avenue Design District

Cedros Avenue in Solana Beach is always a fun walk! You can window shop there with your canine, have lunch on the patio of one of the restaurants, and on Sundays there is a farmer's market from 1-5pm. There is also a Muttropolis store along this street you can take your dog into.

Bressi Ranch in Carlsbad

Have you been to the Bressi Ranch shopping center in Carlsbad? What a beautiful center! (It's off of Palomar Airport Road). The first time we went there with Penny, we needed to do a little grocery shopping, so one of us walked with Penny through the big open grassy areas, while the other shopped. (There is a Trader Joes and Stater Bros.) Between the center and the Bressi Ranch neighborhood is a large open area of sprawling manicured lawns interspersed with flowering planters, a gazebo, tables to eat at, and a fountain. The second time we were there with Penny we went for leisurely lunch and then took a stroll. There are places to eat with outdoor seating like Rubio's and Board 'N Brew. There is also a Pete's Coffee with patio seating and a frozen yogurt shop.

In 'N Out

Oh, there is nothing like a good old fashioned hamburger from In 'N Out! We went there for lunch not too long ago. One of us waited outside with Penny, while the other one went inside to order. I think almost all In 'N Out restaurants have outdoor seating, which we had never really taken advatage of until we got Penny...it's nice eating outdoors! (By the way, have you ever had 'spread-chup' at In 'N' Out? Yes, my hubby coined the term for his creation (in which you dip your french fries) of equal parts of their spread and catchup mixed together. Yea, laugh now, but it's awesome, and you'll never eat there without it again either!)

My new favorite meal is breakfast

Its hard to sleep in anymore, having a dog. You wonder if they need to go out to the bathroom, if they are hungry, are they bored??? But that's ok, being greeted in the morning by a smiling face and a wagging tail makes waking up earlier worth it! And because we're waking up earlier, we're getting out earlier and actually enjoying breakfast instead of sleeping through it. We took Penny to Swami's Cafe in Encinitas. I absolutely love their Veggie Rama omlette. Mmmm! Everyone admired Penny and there were a handful of other people with their dogs too. Swami's Cafe is near the beach and downtown Encinitas, so after chowing down, you can go for a nice long walk. Cross the street and head south and you'll get a nice sea-side walk in with an incredible view, or head north and window shop in the downtown Encinitas area.

We have been having such a great time with Penny and discovering some fun places we can go with her! We recently went to Vinaka Cafe in Carlsbad where we had some delicious pastries and coffee and sat with Penny out on their patio. (There's nothing like a bear claw and hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning!) Penny even made some other doggy friends while we were there. After breakfast we walked Penny down to the grassy area and fountain that are on the lower level. Penny wasn't sure what to think of the fountain as the spray from it caught her face.