Picture the romantic ideal of a Southern California coastal mansion in your mind's eye, and chances are it looks something like this. The enormous deck, set over two levels, stretches the width of the house. Quite honestly, we'd set up camp here and never leave. It has everything from a lap pool and a fire pit to a barbecue and sun loungers. And of course, there are the views to top it off. Sunsets are usually pretty good wherever you are in the world, but once you’ve seen the sun slip below the horizon from here, nothing else quite lives up to it. And if you’re tempted to explore further afield, you’re only a five-minute drive from Windansea Beach. This slice of shoreline has been the epicentre of San Diego's surf scene since the 30s, but the shallow underwater reef means it's certainly not one for the novices. So instead, we'd suggest packing a picnic and heading down to the water's edge to watch the pros at work. After a long day at the beach, we love nothing more than having someone else take care of dinner, so whether you're after filling bunny chow bowls or elegant New American plates...Read more courtesy of Trey Foshee, there's plenty of choice within a ten-minute drive of your home.Read less