My husband and I traveled to California in late July so that I could attend the Romance Writers of America National Conference in Anaheim, and then vacation on the West Coast.  This was the farthest west either of us had ever been (Las Vegas having been the previous place-holder). 

After a day of relaxation and recovery from the excitement of the conference, we rented a car and set off across LA to meet up with the Pacific Coast  Highway in Santa Monica.  The views of the Pacific Ocean as we drove through Malibu and out into the more rural areas of the coast were gorgeous.  We opened our sun roof and I let my hair down to blow in the breeze.  We couldn't help stopping several times to take pics.

However, not long after, the PCH veered away from the coast and through several towns, making this the least eventful stretch of our journey northward.  We paused in Santa Barbara for lunch and then continued onward, following the suggested route inland for several miles, past craggy mountains and hillside vineyards, before rejoining the coast road.  Unfortunately the summer fog that sometimes plagues the coast here then caught up with us, and we drove through alternately thick banks of mist and sunny skies.  When we reached the area of our first night's stop, we were disheartened to discover Cambria covered in a heavy fogbank. 

We checked into our lovely B&B right on the coast and walked across the road to Moonstone Beach, a particularly picturesque stretch of sand famous for the moonstones of it's name that are often found here.  My husband had a lovely time scouring the sand for the gems while I snapped photos of the atmospheric conditions on the rocky beach and enjoyed the crisp breeze on my cheeks. 
 

We enjoyed dinner at a cozy local restaurant, and bought treats from their bakery - a cream-filled eclair for me, and an oatmeal raisin cookie for my husband.  Then we settled in for a restful night, our windows propped open so that
we could be lulled to sleep by the sound of the ocean. 

After a hearty breakfast, we set off along the most treacherous stretch of the PCH - Big Sur country. 

Our first stop was at the Elephant Seals Preserve - a protected habitat for hundreds of the seals.  Most of the seals that day lounged lazily on the beach, shuffling their huge bodies across the sand to find the most comfortable position, but a few swam about the choppy water, tusseling with each other and barking loudly.  Seeing the creatures in person was much more fascinating than I'd anticipated.  Film just does not do them justice. 

We continued driving into Big Sur, with it's winding roads, and heart-stopping cliff drops just off to the side of the road.  This section of the PCH is certainly not for the faint of heart, (or the person who becomes easily carsick, but as I was driving, I avoided this problem.)  However, once again, we ran into problems with thick fog.  Most of our views were frustratingly blocked from our sight by the mist, but the haze did part from time to time to give us a glimpse of this breathtaking part of the country.

The most beautiful scenery of the day was to be found at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where we pulled off the road and hiked the short trail out to the viewing point for McWay Falls.  As someone in my family put it - it looks like somewhere a dragon would live.  

I was particularly struck by the gorgeous colors.  Most of the scenery was alternating shades of green and brown, which made the turquoise waters; violet, yellow and white flowers; and blue-leafed shrubs near the path all the more vivid.  I was instantly charmed, and wished I could build a home on the site just as Julia Pfeiffer Burns did so many years ago.  Only the ruins of the foundation of her home still remain and a craggy set of stairs, but it was very easy to see why she chose the spot.

We drove on through Big Sur, stopping occasionally to take a pic.  We stopped into a quaint art gallery and then halted for lunch at the Big Sur Inn, dining on one of the best burgers and club sandwiches we had ever had.  We reached our stop for the night - Monterey - in the midafternoon and relaxed until heading out for dinner...(cont. in Part 2)