The Best Accidental Trip…Ever.

For the past few weeks Jared and my trip plans to conquer the West and Midwest have been created, put on hold, put back on, back on hold, put back on… You get the idea. So on Monday while hanging out at the pool with some friends, we last minute decided to change our 5th (oh yes, 5th) wedding anniversary plans from an eventful trip to San Francisco to a nice relaxing drive up Highway 1 through the central California coast to Norcal (California lingo for Northern California – Socal, Norcal, get it!?!).

We hastily packed up on Monday night, left Elsie with our wonderful neighbors, and left Tuesday morning with no plans and a hotel booked for the first night. We were winging it.

I am SO glad we did. What a wonderful trip, what a wonderful 3 days relaxing, driving, stopping, breathing in fresh Pacific Ocean air, eating, driving, and soaking it all in.

First we drove from Fullerton, through smoggy Los Angeles to Santa Barbara. Just awesome (the Santa Barbara part). In SB we ate some great food, walked around their downtown, hit the pier, and took a tour through Mission Santa Barbara. Relaxing AND educational. A teachers dream. After Santa Barbara, we made our way to Morro Bay. We watched the sunset at the Bay overlooking Morro Rock, checked out some lively ocean creatures (a seal swam right up too us!) and had dinner with the locals at a pizza parlor.







The next morning we headed up to Hearst Castle and took a tour. Just great.


After the castle we stopped along the coast a few times (ok more than a few – each and EVERY bluff overlooking the ocean seemed to say “stop right here you two”). One stop allowed us to see these HUGE elephant seals. These seals weighed 2.5 tons and stood taller than a 6 ft man! They just rolled around on their fat bellies and made interesting seal noises!


At some points along the drive up the coastal highway, the marine layer was very thick. This made for some great misty pictures!


A few more magnificent stops later, we found ourselves at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in Big Sur. We took a hike to a concealed beach among the coastal mountains. The view of the waterfall was breathtaking!

For dinner we found a hidden local beach – Pfeiffer Beach. After winding through a few miles of a one way bumpy road, we stopped and set up shop for a picnic in the soft white sand. Towering rocks, warm sun, striking mountains, and a rough clean ocean were on the menu.





Next it was further up Highway 1 on to Bixby Bridge (built in 1932).

We called it a day when we hit Monterey. We were excited to check out one of the most world renowned aquariums the next day.

Before the aquarium, we woke up early and took a 5 mile run along the “17 mile road”. It was the most striking terrain we have ever had the opportunity to run along! Sand dunes, seals, crystal clear water, rough rocks, and tide pools were the views of choice.

"The Lone Cypress Tree"

After the aquarium, we walked around Cannery Row (where the sardine industry started – CANnery – sardines – get it?!). Grabbed some coffee and enjoyed more seals and clear waters.

Baby Seahorses

All in all, This trip was a great conclusion to the past five years of our marriage. Spontaneous, exciting, relaxing, adventurous, and all with the man I love. Here’s to many, many, many, more!