New Year’s weekend Andrew and I had the incredibly rare occurrence of having 4 days off TOGETHER (and in a row!)
All without using my precious vacation time!
We used this time to visit some of our dearest friends in Oakland …. and we took the long way there.
We’ve used our Road Trip USA: Cross-Country Adventures on America’s Two-Lane Highways
This is roughly the route that we took: 101 to the 1 through San Luis Obispo and Big Sur, small little stop in Santa Cruz, then inland to Oakland.
This route did take at least twice as long as driving directly north on the 5 freeway, but it was totally worth it.
We didn’t have anywhere that we needed to be at a specific time, so we were able to meander, take a wrong turn if we wanted, stop to just look and take pictures, and just enjoy our road trip together.
We left early early early and stopped by Andy&Julie’s to borrow her Garmin GPS system – better known as “the Garmin Girl.”
Having a GPS was SOO helpful in allowing us to take whatever turn looked like fun and still be able to find our way back to the main route. Thanks Julie!
One of the sights to see on the central coast is this small beach where the elephant seals come …you can find it here if you’re in the area:
There is a small parking lot, and a long boardwalk where you can look over the beach… Learn more about viewing the elephant seals here …
The babies make the craziest little noises. The adults make noises that sound like farting.
It was highly entertaining!
(more photos of the seals on Friday)
A little bit farther north we stopped at another overlook with a view of an amazing bridge ….
The self-portrait of us below looks like we’re in heaven, I know, but it’s really just overlooking the ocean and with huge amounts of back-light.
Big Sur is gorgeous ….
We drove through Big Sur on our way north and stopped at the Big Sur Bakery and Restaurant for lunch.
This place was a little …. more than I wanted to spend (about $25/person after tax and tip) but super cute in the trees with wood floors, etc. I think the building *might* be a former home (we ate in a room with windows that weren’t really being used and a fireplace).
Our final stop – just outside Santa Cruz – was at the Mystery Spot.
From their website:
The Mystery Spot is a gravitational anomaly located in the redwood forests just outside of Santa Cruz, California. It is a circular area of effect around 150 feed or 46 meters in diameter. Within the Mystery Spot, you will be stunned as your perception of the laws of physics and gravity are questioned.
Unfortunately, we got there at 4p on New Year’s Eve and there was an hour long wait. So … no dice.
Such a fun drive. 10 hours or so up the California coast.
We’ll be headed up the same direction in April, and I think maybe there are some good day-trips on this route…
What is your favorite part of the California coast?
{link to Road Trip USA: Cross-Country Adventures on America’s Two-Lane Highways
One Response to “Driving the California coast | Santa Clarita to Oakland”
I’m pretty sure that’s the drive we were on when Kevin got car sick. Can you imagine riding on that road when you’re nauseous? We had to stop about every few miles so Kevin could get out. Of course, he also had an ear infection that day too. It was a sad day for all of us.
I love the drive normally though. Carmel, Pacific Grove, Big Sur, and so much more. One of my favorite parts of the state.
We should have loaned you are travel books about it. We have 3 of them.