If you have never driven along the Pacific Coast Highway from San Francisco to Los Angeles, add it to your Bucket List. This is my second time on this journey. I did it once with my friend, Sarah – just two girls checking out Cali in our early twenties. This time, I’m cruising with the family where the itinerary is a little different. Though the experiences are not identical, the beauty is the same. There are views that will take your breath away.
We didn’t make it very far down Highway 1 out of San Francisco before we pulled over to hike to the beach. A steep trail led us to wooden stairs that took us down to the small beach cover. Ragged rocks jutted out of the Pacific Ocean, causing waves to crash and spray.
After some time enjoying the coast, we hiked out and hit the road again transfixed by the coastline. Next stop – Monterey – for lunch. We landed on the Fisherman’s Monterey Wharf, which bustled with tourists, food markets and whale tour hustlers. Dying for some seafood – at least all of us but Jonah who had practically ate a burger everyday – we found Domenicos on the Wharf. We were seated at a table near the windows where we had a great view of the marina and even got to watch a seal or two slip and slide through the water.
Once back on the road, we did the mandatory 17-mile drive where once again I was mesmerized by the landscape of California. Coming from Florida (which is beautiful in its own), we don’t have any elevation. To see cliffs drop into the water, rocks popping out of the sea and houses perches on hillsides was such a visual joy.
Winding along Highway 1, we paused around Big Sur to sing Deda his birthday video.
Our last stop on the PCH was a short hike to McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Parking was tough as the lot is small but Shane’s excellent parking skills nailed it again! The hike was flat and wound around the side of cliff but stopped short due to unsteady ground and the rest of the trail being blocked. However, the view was spectacular. Though the old quote goes something like “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” Sometimes it IS the destination!
Smithie Adventures 