California Recap, Part Four

Monterey, CA

The City of Monterey was by far my favorite stop on the trip. The picturesque coastal city is rich with history and has a fisherman's wharf complete with sea lions. We spent an embarrassing amount of time watching the animals lounge on the rocky shore - and watching a pup eagerly follow its mother, until she went into the water. I did a bit of financial damage in Monterey, first with a necessity item: a sweatshirt. I had been shivering throughout most of the trip. I didn't realize that I'd be so cold in California with 70 degree temperatures and no humidity. (Who thought that I'd have to return to Wisconsin to warm up?) I also picked up a Tahitian pearl necklace at the wharf and a small oil painting at a local gallery.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park

During the planning stages of the trip, Nate was adamant that we scout out Redwoods. We settled on a visit to Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California's oldest state park, to admire the 2,000-year-old trees. After walking through the forest, I'm convinced that those who really understand the magnificence of the Redwoods are those who have seen the trees in person - photos just can't do them justice. A word of warning for those who visit Big Basin: when you drive out of the park, be aware that the two-lane road will unexpectedly narrow to one lane with traffic continuing in both directions.

Winchester Mystery House

A stop in San Jose was a last-minute addition to our itinerary when I remembered that the famed Winchester Mystery House was in California. I had a bit of fixation with the lore of haunted locations growing up and vowed to visit Sarah Winchester's mansion eventually. (Unfortunately, photos weren't allowed inside the eccentric home.)

Cold Spring Tavern, Santa Barbara, CA

After we stopped in San Jose, we turned around and headed south to arrive in time for our flight from L.A. This gave us the opportunity to dine at a former 1860s stagecoach stop: the Cold Spring Tavern in Santa Barbara. Named as "one of the best places for a romantic getaway," I couldn't wait to bring Nate here for a rustic early-birthday meal. (I have a feeling it was one of the only places in California with venison on the menu.)

Ty Warner Sea Center

We couldn't leave Santa Barbara without a stop at Stearns Wharf and the Ty Warner Sea Center to touch a shark and play with starfish (which I should apparently called "sea stars," but I refuse).

Seal Beach, CA

Our last full day in California was spent in Seal Beach, thanks to a recommendation from Carrie at This Free Bird. Seal Beach is a small town (at least by L.A.-area standards) with around 24,000 residents. We couldn't wait to lose track of time on shore with another full day of splashing in the ocean and collecting shells. Carrie recommended that we stop at the California Seashell Company, or what I now refer to as "the best shell shop ever," for inexpensive souveniers. (I may have picked up a slightly tacky shell Christmas ornament.) When we stopped at a local bar for lunch, I noticed my alma mater's mascot on the wall but didn't think much of it. Halfway through the meal, I was startled to realize that we weren't in Wisconsin - University of Wisconsin's Bucky Badger was actually adoring the walls of Californian bar.

California Recap, Part Three

Moonstone Beach

After leaving Cayucos, we traveled a short distance to Cambria and Moonstone Beach. Appropriately, this stretch of coastline is where lucky rock hounds find moonstones (and sometimes jade) in the pebbled shore. A few minutes, I could see how rock hunting could become addictive; finding one gem fuels the fire to keep searching. I have a handful of stones that I'm eager to bring to the local rock shop to identify. We lunched on salmon sandwiches at the Moonstone Bar and Grill, and enjoyed the ocean view.

Elephant Seal Rookery near San Simeon, CA

Along the Pacific Coast Highway, about seven miles north of San Simeon, an understated sign marks the Elephant Seal Rookery - a stretch of protected coastline where the marine animal congregates. We saw a pair of young males learn to spar with each other - a battle that was far from elegant and exciting. The animals are so large and lumbering that the faux battle looked like it was in slow motion as they bounced their torsos off of each other.

Vista Points between San Simeon and Carmel-by-the-Sea

Before heading out on the large stretch of coastal highway between San Simeon and Carmel-by-the-Sea, you'll want to check your gas gauge. This is the point where coastal towns disappear for 90 miles as Highway 1 weaves along the coast, with mountains on one side and a cliff falling to the ocean on the other. Fortunately there are plenty of vista points along the way (i.e. opportunities for shutterbugs to pull off the highway and take photos without risking their lives).

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

After weaving along the coastline for nearly three hours, Nate was itching to find a place to swim. Carmel wasn't it. When we arrived at one of its beaches, we immediately noticed two things: no sand and no seashells. Sure enough, we spotted a warning sign nixing swimming because of rough waves that curl under, washing items - and people - back out to sea.



I hoped to recap the vacation in three parts, but there's so much I want to share. We'll wrap up soon with the seal lions of Monterey, respectable Redwoods, the Winchester Mystery House, a second stop in Santa Barbara, and a jaunt to Seal Beach.

California Recap, Part Two

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

After conquering Disneyland, we finally embarked on our coastal road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway. Our first stop was the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden to discover plants native to California, like Redwoods. (However, after seeing the Redwoods near San Francisco, the Santa Barbara version pales in comparison.) The real landmark of the garden was the log structure Nate deemed cozy. Other highlights: Nate gingerly touched a cactus and I excitedly touched a snail.

Old Mission Santa Barbara

While I'm not a religious gal, the historic Old Mission Santa Barbara topped my sightseeing list for the area. The mission was founded in 1786 was the 10th of the 21 California missions founded by the Spanish Franciscans. The church underwent a series of cosmetic changes through the years, including restoration work following an earthquake in 1925. The picturesque fountain was built in 1808.

Enterprise Fish Company in Santa Barbara, CA

We ate dinner at the Enterprise Fish Co. in Santa Barbara. It's definitely worth a stop for, you guessed it, delectable seafood - including the best fish tacos I've had in a long time.

Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Preserve

After dinner, we traveled about 70 miles north to California's second-largest dune system: the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Preserve. The breathtaking expanse of sand dunes was the first time on the trip that I was in awe of nature. It's such a different environment than anything I had ever seen, especially once Mother Nature adds violent winds, crashing waves and untouched seashells. I collected a bounty of shells from this location to commemorate the stop. (I collect sand and seashells from each beach I visit and place it into glass containers, separated by location.)

Morro Bay, CA

Another 40 miles north, you'll find Morro Bay. The town's claim to fame is the Morro Rock - a volcanic plug in the harbor sometimes called the '"Gibraltor of the Pacific." Of course the ecological wonder is worthy of the stop, but it's what lived at the base of the rock that warranted no less than 50 photographs: chubby squirrels that were all too eager to eat cereal right out of our hands. One of the little guys was so docile - and lazy - that he didn't bother to move when I offered a morsel. He just opened his mouth and let me place it in. Feeding them is probably cruelly leading to their obesity problems, but at least we gave them all-natural, organic cereal, right? (And I wasn't leaving the city without my own treat: a bag of fresh saltwater taffy.)

Cayucos, CA

Cayucos was only six miles from Morro Bay and I couldn't resist stopping in one of "America's coolest small towns." We stayed just long enough to walk along the pier and take in the enviable scenery.




Check back tomorrow for the third installment of our Californian adventure, including moonstones, elephant seals and breathtaking views.