There is something so special about living in a place where you don’t always have to hop on an airplane to visit spectacular sites. Many such places exist in North America so it’s not that hard to wander. Road Trips have always held a special place in my heart from a very young age. It was the only way we traveled as a family and the anticipation of getting from one place to the next in the back of a car or van always added extra thrills to our summer holidays. As kids we would imagine far away places to someday live as we packed our belongings, pretending to leave our home forever to set out on new adventures. The beauty of this was also not being overly restrained with what to bring because there was always room for a little extra in the van…not like those overhead bins on an airplane!
The past couple weeks we set out on our own adventure. For the past 3 years we’ve enjoyed a scenic tour of the coast. Year 1 we went up to Monterey with stops at Pismo, Avila, Carmel and Santa Barbara. But this trip we kept it simpler. Devoting a little extra time to one location has its benefits – even if the drive takes a wee bit longer. Part 1 of this adventure takes us to Carmel and Big Sur.
Carmel is such a lovely place. Staying in the Valley as we did (just a short drive away) means warmer temperatures, if you are looking for some diversity with the weather. The city itself is quaint enough to park the car and leisurely walk the avenues. You can even stroll all the way down Ocean Ave. to one of the most beautiful off-leash dog beaches in California. (Carmel is an extremely dog-friendly town!) One of our favorite shops to visit is Eco Carmel on San Carlos St. They are dedicated to the environment, selling non-toxic house paints, mattresses, housewares and more. When visiting Carmel, this is one shop you shouldn’t miss. Lunch at La Bicyclette or Dinner at Cantinetta Luca (both located on Dolores St.) are favorite stops as well.
When driving back into the Valley, make sure to stop at Earthbound Farms ‘Farm Stand’. It’s worth the stop as the kids can run through the various gardens featuring herbs, oversized kale or vibrant rows of Raspberry bushes. The store has a great selection of fresh, organic offerings as well.
On the drive to Big Sur, Garrapata Beach (just 10 miles South from Carmel) is a fabulous place to stop. An easy trail empties you out onto a huge, white sand beach. While the ocean here can be a bit rough, even for simple wading, it’s one of the most picturesque spots and well worth a stop. Dogs are allowed (on leash) & with such a long stretch of beach to cover, it’s relaxing to just take a stroll along as the waves crash beside you and take in this stunning view.
The Big Sur coast has countless breathtaking photo-ops along Highway 1. If you want to plant your feet on one such beach, Pfeiffer is a popular spot. It allows dogs (off leash) and has parking – assuming you are lucky enough to get there before the lot fills up. It’s not the easiest road to find as it isn’t labeled, but after a few visits, you’ll remember the subtle landmarks. Pfeiffer’s rocky formations out in the water are a favorite Instagram shot for all who visit each Summer.
For us though, one important stop in Big Sur is always The Henry Miller Library and Bookstore. It’s a quirky, amazing spot that features films, musicians, readings and much more all throughout the season. During an afternoon visit you can stroll through its surrounding forest grounds or the bookstore and take in the serene atmosphere. It’s a wonderfully unique spot named after a very prolific author.
These pictures hopefully tell more of our story, and part 2 will take us on another adventure as we rounded out our road-trip through Paso Robles and Ojai.
Yes dear, We have been there, very interesting place, Glad to see you are enjoying summer. Love ya.