Woke up, got our free breakfast, and booked it out of San Jose as fast as possible, wishing to get an early start on the drive to Cambria, a town mid-way between San Francisco and Los Angeles. We took 101 south and then switched to route 1 in to Monterey. In Monterey we took the roads that got us closest to the beach so that I could take pictures and such.
It was really nice as there was very little traffic — much fewer cars than I feared — and the viewpoints and parking areas mostly had plenty of room. Addison and I looked around for starfish but found none, we think the problem is that we’re not hitting the beaches at the right time. Starfish attach to objects below the low tide line, so we’d have to be there at low tide and then still need some luck to see them in the (now more shallow) water. We did see some amazingly big strands of kelp (like 2″ plus in diameter) so that was cool.
Fog shrouded dunes outside of Monterey, California
Monterey, California rocks
Yet more beautiful rocks at Monterey
Waves breaking against rocks, Monterey
The Pacific is just jam-packed with interesting plants and other sea life
Once around the top half of Monterey peninsula we hopped on to 17-mile drive (they charged $9.75 for the privilege, ouch!) and enjoyed several vistas there as well as a view of the Lone Cypress, long a symbol of Pebble Beach. The Lone Cypress almost fell in the sea in the past and has since had its area shored up and cables help support it. The Lone Cypress is a Monterey Cypress, only found on Monterey peninsula and in Big Sur. It has a life expectancy of 300 years.
Beach near Pebble Beach and Monterey area
Surf between rocks, Pebble Beach and Monterey area
Beautiful ocean at Pebble Beach
Lone Cypress at Pebble Beach, California
Once off of 17-mile drive we realized we needed to get some lunch (it was after 1 o’clock at this time) as the drive further south was pretty desolate food-wise. We ate at this place called Bistro 211 in Carmel. It was nothing to write home about, the food (all of us got burgers) was adequate but quite overpriced. I can’t wait to return to North Carolina prices!
We headed down route 1 through Big Sur. I don’t know if I’ve every seen a more breathtaking coastline, much less any type of scenery. The road clung on the side of mountains (or really large hills) as they plunged into the sea. Rocks were everywhere, breaking up the surf and launching huge plumes of sea spray into the air. There was very little tree-sized vegetation on the hills so the view was almost always unbroken.
Big Sur beach
We got to this point called Hurricane Ridge. The wind was blowing at a constant 40 – 50 mph, at least — even almost knocking me down. Small clouds were coming in off the ocean and sweeping up the hillsides at tremendous speed. It was simply amazing.
View from windy Hurricane Point, Big Sur, California
Another view from Hurricane Point, Big Sur
Yet another view from Hurricane Point, Big Sur
A bit later we passed Point Sur with its lighthouse standing on a very large rock connected to the mainland via a low-lying land bridge. The land bridge had sand dunes, mostly covered with vegetation, on it.
Point Sur seen from Hurricane Point, Big Sur
The road became quite twisty just before straightening out in the final push for San Simeon and Cambria. Impressive bridges (mostly built in the 1930s during the Great Depression) spanned gorges and small ocean coves.
Big Sur coast
More spectacular Big Sur coastline
Another view of the Big Sur coastline
At this point on the coast the mountains were further inland, leaving a much flatter coast. We lucked out when we pulled in to a vista point and there were elephant seals just off the boardwalk. We all enjoyed watching them lay in the sun and occasionally using their flippers to smack themselves or toss sand on themselves. There were a fair number, both the very large males and the considerably smaller females.
Coast near San Simeon, getting flatter
A male elephant seal tossing sand on himself
Elephant seals sunning themselves near San Simeon, California
Pulling into Cambria we located our hotel, The Fog Catcher Inn, and checked in. What a nice room! Huge ceiling, plenty of room, nice HDTV and Wi-Fi, gas fireplace, and they even knotted together some of the towels to look like two swans. Relaxed a tiny bit then headed to dinner at the Moonstone Bar and Grill.
Beach near Cambria, looking south
The Moonstone Bar and Grill was good, if a bit pricey (as with all things in California — though the gas isn’t nearly as bad as I expected, hovering below $4 as at home). I had New York strip that I shared with Addison along with some steamed vegetables and mashed potatoes. Quite good. Michelle had clam chowder and shrimp cocktail (she’s really taking this opportunity to fill up on seafood which is great, since we so rarely have it at home), Genetta had herb-crusted chicken, and Addison the kid’s chicken strips (and some of my steak).
Pacific sunset near Cambria, California
Headed back to the room. The girls decided not to swim but Addison and I headed to the heated outdoor pool and hot tub. Very enjoyable! On return to the room they watched some Olympics and played with the iPads while I blogged.
Route for Wednesday, August 08, 2012