What’s keeping us from exploring the Central Coast (Big Sur Area and Carmel)? Not Covid, but schedule. So, one September day, the gang in the middle of pandemic and tired of quarantine, decided take on the Central Coastal Area. We fixed our daily routines and made time for a weekend road trip through the Pacific Hi-way 1.
Big Sur – a shortened spanish term meaning big country of the south. A scenic stretch of undeveloped coastline in Central California, between San Simeon and Monterey. If you have not driven in a mountainous, coastal hi way, brace yourself as this can be intimidating at first, but the view eventually blurs your fright. Your eyes get to feast on rugged bluffs, and waves, open sea and coast. Yes, well worth the drive. Here’s the gang’s 3 day escapade on September with some introjection from the family’s own day out last July.
Day 1 of the 3 Day Escapade
0400-0600 hrs- Drive to Point Dume Natural Preserve. (Cliffside Dr. & Birdview Ave. Malibu Ca 90265). Marked parking for 10 vehicles only. Do not park on Disabled Parking- rangers are giving citation ticket. We arrived still dark 0530hrs- just in time to watch the sunrise. Link to a short clip- https://youtu.be/0rp-PuvO6ZQ
We continued driving Birdview Ave, about 15 minutes, to Point Dume Beach. Turn left if you plan to hike Pirates Cove or Rock climb (parking: 7103 Westward Beach Rd). Fee 8$ on weekdays, 15$ on weekends, cash only. Bathroom available. Turn right to find free parking roadside towards Westward and Zuma Beach. We opted to pay and enjoy packed breakfast together next to the beach.
Map of our weekend trip – https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1BvtZD9pb4SULdqf5Qze0KdkCSFlplPXG&usp=sharing
From Point Dume Beach Rock climb area, is a trail that you can hike up (< 1 mile), to the Point Dume Preserve. The spot were we first parked.
0800-1000 hrs – After breakfast, we drove the Pacific Hi Way 1 from Malibu to Ostrichland USA (610 E Hiway 246, Solvang 93463). A 2-hr trip is short when your eyes delight on scenic, ocean view hi way. Before i knew it, there we are facing Ostriches and Emus.
Ostrichland USA is about 15 minutes from Solvang . A 33- acre ranch, breeding ostriches and emus in a town called Builton. Both kids and adults will enjoy watching and feeding these big birds, roaming freely . I myself had fun feeding them. It was surreal to see these creatures that I’ve only seen on TV when i was younger.
Entrance is $5,- $2 for 12 y o and below. $1 feed/bowl. You need to book ahead as they control the crowd that goes in by the hour. They have a little souvenir shop that sells fresh, edible ostrich egg for $50, and emu egg for $35, t-shirts, etc… Link to the website- https://www.ostrichlandusa.com/visit-ostrich-land/
Leaving the birds behind, we drove to Paula’s Pancake in Solvang Village for lunch. Call for reservations, it is a popular Danish -vibe restaurant, that even during pandemic the wait takes about 1-2 hrs to be seated without reservation. We did not wait, instead, we explored the village, all the way to the Windmills. We visited Solvang 2 years ago, thus we had the taste of Paula’s Pancake and danish crepes already.
Solvang is a city in southern California’s Santa Ynez Valley. It’s known for its Danish-style architecture and many wineries. Stroll the village to spot Danish icons including the Little Mermaid Fountain, five windmills, the giant red clog & Round Tower, Hans Christian Handersen Museum. Of course, do not forget Danish Pastries. Bakeries abound in the village, so no worries where to get them.
Once we had our Danish cravings fill, we had some snack and drove for another 50 minutes to Pismo Beach Pier. I called to order while on the way. Even that, i waited 30 minutes on the phone before my turn. We listened to the waiting tune of the famous “The Splash Cafe” (address: 197 Pomeroy Ave), for half the drive, just to get their clam chowder. When we get to Pismo, we opted to eat in an outdoor patio of the gas station, 5 minutes away from the huge crowd of Pismo Beach. Get ready for bumper to bumper traffic once you enter the main road for the beach. Lucky if you can even get a parking spot.
We also have been to the pier, 2 years ago, and the beach, so we forego that and stopped by Dinosaur Cave Park (address: 2701 Price St. Pismo). Walked towards the bluffs and cliffs, photo shoot, and admired the scene. Then drove for Morro Rock. About 35 minutes from Pismo.
Morro Rock is a volcanic plug in Morro Bay, California. We did not advanced to the rock and beach itself but just in the city overlooking the rock. We were under time constraints as we plan to catch sunset in Cambria.
For another 30 minutes drive, we arrive at Cambria Pines Lodge (2905 Burton Dr. Cabria), our refuge for the night. It offers rustic cabins to elegant suites. 5-10 minutes away from Moonstone Beach, where we plan to watch the sunset. We requested our rooms next to each other. Settled down/ freshen up then headed to the boardwalk at Moonstone Beach. You can explore tide pools as well as watch the epic sunset from here. And that is just what we did! Started the day with a sunrise at Malibu, ended it with sunset at Moonstone Beach. What a day!
Day 2 – The Start of Big Sur Drive All the way to Carmel
After the outdoor breakfast @ the hotel, included with the stay in Cambria Pines Lodge – link to their website: https://www.cambriapineslodge.com/. They have a nice garden that’s idyllic for photo shoot and venue for weddings and others- video above. Link to a short clip –https://youtu.be/K7ZLxaX3NRM
0800-1030 hrs – Drive to Carmel By the Sea. We planned to drive the 17-mile drive in Pebble Community but it was close. Even Carmel Beach was closed. It was too crowded and ongoing pandemic. We watch the beach from a distance for a while, took some photos and drove back. It was quite disappointing not able to see the Lone Cypress and the viewpoints within the 17 mile drive, maybe next time.
Be cautious on coming to Carmel on a weekend holiday plus pandemic, traffic and crowd is unbearable. We did not dare walk around town, as we can’t even find a parking spot. with that, we drove off back to a portiion of PCH 1 which is also called Cabrillo Hi way. 30 minutes into the drive, we reached, Rocky Creek Bridge.
Rocky Creek and Bixby Bridge
Rocky Creek Bridge looks very much like the much better-known and larger Bixby Creek Bridge, just to the south, and is sometimes mistaken for it. This is an attractive, arch bridge in Hi Way 1. Bixby & Rocky Creek bridge were opened in 1932 making a passage of un-drivable portion of PCH obsolete. Big Sur residents could now easily commute to the nearby town of Monterey & Carmel. Interestingly enough both bridges are located within a 1 minute drive of each other & sometimes even confused for one another by the tourists! Located only 20 minutes away from Carmel by The Sea, past Point Lobos State Natural Preserve.
We spent a short time just to take in the sights, breath in fresh ocean air. It was a hit and miss trying to find parking. We did not continue to drive to Ragged Point as the road ahead was closed. So, we were not able to make a quick stop to Sea Lion View Lookout and the Elephant Seal Vista Point. From PCH Hi way 1, we had to detour back to Hi way 101, to see what the hype about Madonna Inn is.
Madonna Inn – San Luis Obispo
This hotel in San Luis Obispo is known for unique and quirky rooms. Each one is different from another. They have a huge man made waterfall in the equally large pool. Be sure to tour the pink Alex restaurant, that also serve excellent steak and never leave without having a bite of their famous Pink Champagne cake. Link to the unique rooms – https://www.madonnainn.com/viewrooms.
After touring our rooms and the hotel. Half of the gang drove home and half of us actually stayed for a night at the hotel. We dined outdoor, had a few drinks and called it a day.
Day 3 – San Luis Obispo
Next day, we visited their garden, the town (bubblegum alley, art street and Mission Church). After lunch, we headed home via Hi way 101 to Malibu as one of the dads was craving seafood. We ended up in Reel Inn in Malibu, @ around 530pm, link to the restaurant – http://www.reelinnmalibu.com/, which was actually a good choice. They serve fresh seafood. You order from fresh seafood selection and let them know how you want it cooked. Also they make delicious margarita. We started with mussels as appetizer, ordered salmon, cod, tilapia and shrimp. They ran out of lobster unfortunately. Overall, we had a splendid dinner to finish off the 3 day Laboy Day weekend escapade of Big Sur, Carmel and everything in between.
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