California Ramblings (Up the PCH)

On my 2011 trip, I spent a few weeks in California. Some places-Sequoia, Kings Canyon & Yosemite-deserve their own posts. This is the rest of California-a hodgepodge of the random places I visited in between these amazing natural areas.

Southern California-I spent a few days in a tiny Best Western near the Pacific Coast Highway, where I did laundry, watched too much tv, ate an extraordinary number of In-N-Out Burgers, and caught the last Harry Potter movie. I also took a relaxing afternoon drive down the PCH to Dana Point, and then caught the sunset from Huntington Beach State Park.

As close to swimming in the Pacific as I got. It was unexpectedly cold.

LA- Was basically my greatest nightmare. People and sprawl and traffic everywhere. I gave up on finding parking in Santa Monica and tried to get a hot dog from Pink's but couldn't deal with the traffic. I couldn't even find the Hollywood sign. So I hightailed it up to the Getty, which is free, has great art (Van Gogh's Irises, among others) and amazing views. And if that's all I ever see of that city again, I will be a-ok with that.

 

Malibu to Ventura- I spent a night camped at Point Mugu State Park in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, which was a nice campground very near to the beach. Too bad it had disgusting bathrooms. The next day,  I took a quick trip in land to the Reagan Library (where I got to see a replica of the Oval Office and walk through a decommissioned Air Force One), and then headed further up the coast, stopping at Channel Islands National Park. I only took in the visitor center at the Ventura harbor but hope to make it out to the islands one day.

The view from the Reagan Library in Simi Valley

Ventura to San Simeon- Spent a lovely day visiting the Santa Barbara Mission (and eating again at In-N-Out) before stopping in Morro Bay and Cambria in the late afternoon (where I didn't take any pictures). The Mission has beautiful gardens and interesting architecture. I love old buildings.

Reflection of the Mission in a fountain

Hearst Castle- I hadn't originally planned to visit Hearst Castle, because it is a little pricey, but I was ahead of budget and it was a cloudy day, so I did, and I'm really glad. Hearst was a fascinating guy, and he basically went to Europe and bought everything he could-walls, art, tapestries, furniture-to make his castle. I've never seen anything like it, except maybe the Biltmore House in Asheville, although I think Hearst Castle is bigger.

Outdoor Pool

Indoor Pool

One of the guest houses

Another guest house

Big Sur Coast- This is the most iconic part of the PCH, deservedly so. Elephant seals at Piedras Blancas, the redwoods in Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park, and McWay Falls. It was cloudy but still beautiful.

Hidden coves around every bend

Majestic Redwoods

McWay Falls

On the trail

Bixby Bridge

So that was my time on the California coast. Amazing drive!

Joshua Tree National Park

If you happen to be planning a summer road trip to national parks, try to avoid planning to camp in the desert in July or August. It won't work out for you. I learned this lesson the hard way as I left Arizona and headed into California over the Parker Dam; this is a beautiful route, but also very off the beaten path. Approaching Joshua Tree from here, as the afternoon sun wanted in the sky, was a little creepy. My entire time in the park, I saw one other car, and promptly abandoned my plans to camp in the desert (because I sure wasn't doing that alone). After a somewhat fraught-with-worry drive through the park, I hightailed it to Orange County and the ocean. I did get some great evening golden hour shots, and I hope to go back one day to camp and hike. In November or December, like normal people do.

Yes, I did stay mostly in my car. I was creeped out by the solitude. And the possibility of snakes.