Traveling around California
Since we live in the Golden State it makes it easier for us to take advantage of the diversity it offers. Having lived in San Diego , San Francisco and now in Santa Monica, we have had the opportunity to explore many places in between the two cities.Some of our favorite places to visit are naturally along the beautiful Pacific Coast.
Starting from the north on the Sonoma Coast, Sea Ranch is a fantastic town located on Pacific Coast Highway 1 about three hours north of San Francisco. Sea Ranch is a great base for fantastic cycling and in close proximity to the coastal "artist's colony" village of Mendocino, the Mendocino Hill, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek, and Anderson Valley wineries, Ft. Ross, originally settled by Russians in the 1800s; a number of State and County parks; a "Pygmy" forest; three fishing villages, Ft. Bragg, Point Arena, and Bodega Bay (Scene of A.Hitchcock's "Birds") with deep sea fishing possibilities, and innumerable other attractions.
Moving south to Marin County, a great base for exploration is the Pt. Reyes National Seashore.The headlands of this beguiling peninsula juts out ten miles into the Pacific Ocean. The end result is an unusual proximity to the 20-mile-wide "highway" along which gray whales migrate, providing awesome vistas for this parade of mammalian giants particularly at Chimney Rock and the Point Reyes Lighthouse. And that's not all, you can also see the fun-loving antics of harbor seals, sea lions, and the sheer sloth of elephant seals. Further inland, the coastal scrub and grasslands provide sanctuary for a rare herd of Tule elk that nearly disappeared by 1860. Now a healthy herd of 400 elk roams the 70,000 acres of pristine seashore. Hikers can roam the seashore as well: explore 147 miles of trails and sleep under the stars in one of the four designated backcountry camping areas.
Moving south of San Francisco (about 1 1/2 hours) to the laid back beach town of Santa Cruz, you can find surfing, swimming, cycling and beautiful beaches. About an hour farther south along PCH 1 is the pristine water of the Monterey Bay where the beautiful towns of Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach and Carmel lay. This area offers the Monterey Bay Aquarium, kayaking, swimming (cold water), home of the Monarch Butterflies, incredible golf courses, great restaurants and of course fantastic bicycling!
Traveling further south on PCH 1 you will reach the Los Padres National Forest and the home of Big Sur, one of the most beautiful places in California without a doubt! "From beaches to mountains... Hike along the streams in the cool, tree lined valleys. Climb up on the high ridges for a spectacular view of the coastline on the western slope and gaze into three million acres of wilderness in the Las Padres National Forest on the eastern slope. Evenings offer the opportunity to dine in restaurants from fanciful to exquisite. Relax in lodging that ranges from rustic to luxurious. Camp out in the many well equipped campgrounds. Luxuriate at the health spas, located at Post Ranch Inn, Ventana Inn, and Esalen Institute. And of course, one of the favorite past-times of Big Sur, Do Nothing!"
Santa Barbara is the next beautiful spot on the journey south. Our favorite places to stay are actually not on the beach. The El Encanto Hotel is "perched above the red tile roofs of Santa Barbara and overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands, El Encanto Hotel & Garden Villas has been an integral part of Santa Barbara's social, cultural and architectural heritage for over 80 years." Then there is the Cheshire Cat Bed and Breakfast a romantic and elegant Victorian Inn surrounded by gorgeous flower gardens, brick patios and redwood decks.
Then there is San Diego which has the most perfect weather on earth as well as some of the most beautiful beaches. The La Jolla Cove offers swimming (with buoy distance markers), snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking and surfing. Pacific Beach, just a town south of La Jolla has a more casual atmosphere that offers great surfing, swimming, beautiful beaches and casual restaurants and bars. The Cass Street Bar and Grill "offering 11 different types of microbrewed and imported beer. The restaurant offers american faire, fish, and other dishes. Try the Chinese Chicken Salad, you will be hard pressed to find a better one in San Diego."
Of course there are many more wonderful places in California and we are looking forward to exploring them! If you want any tips about where to stay, cycling, swimming or running in any of the places mentioned above, feel free to e-mail us!