Last week was my birthday. My husband and I and our good friends took a drive up the central California Coastline.
We left from the Los Angeles area and headed up. Our first night's stop was in Morro Bay. Morro Bay is a quaint little waterfront city. 
You cannot drive up the coastline and not stop at the Hearst Castle. This Castle which sits on top a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean shows the eclectic lifestyle and collecting passion of William Randolph Hearst.
You cannot drive up the coastline and not stop at the Hearst Castle. This Castle which sits on top a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean shows the eclectic lifestyle and collecting passion of William Randolph Hearst. It is built on 127 acres and it took 30 years to build!
My favorite was the Neptune Pool. Look how blue the water is!
Mr Hearst's private Library off his bedroom was unbelievable!
We also stopped at a beach called Seal Beach. Look at all those sea lions laying along the beach! You can see them for miles!
I tried to zoom in on them, their little faces were so cute!
Our next stop was Monterey Bay. I loved Monterey! They had a nice Fisherman's Wharf and the shopping downtown was GREAT! I got some Christmas Shopping done at the Coach Store!
We also visited Carmel-By-The Sea
There is a 17 Mile area that is guarded and you have to pay a fee to enter through any of the 5 toll guard booths! I have lived in California my whole life, so it made me roll my eyes. The last time my husband and I took this drive was right after we got married. There were no toll booths then. What a joke!My favorite beach was Pebble Beach. I took my shoes off and ran into the water right at this spot. It was SO COLD that it actually took my breath away!!!
The trees all along this area were odd looking Cypress Trees. Here is one I took a picture of that is quite different looking.
There was a lot of scenic stop areas, I was taking pictures at every stop!
This is the Lone Cypress Tree. It has sat here perched above the Pacific Ocean on this rock for over 200 years.
Thanks for joining me on my trip up the coast. I hope you enjoyed the pictures!Since I have so many blue pictures, I thought I would join in with Ms Sally at Smiling Sally's Blog for Blue Monday. Be sure to click here and go visit other Blue posts!
23 comments:
Your photos are wonderful. Thanks for sharing.
My Blue Monday.
Many years ago, my family took a vacation to California. Morro Bay was my favorite place we visited, and I remember buying a blue sweatshirt with white sea lions scattered around it. Therefore, I enjoyed seeing your pictures!
Thanks for visiting my blog, and I hope you enjoy making the bird seed jars.
I so enjoyed your trip up the coast. I have never stopped at those places, it would be fun..except for the toll booth, they bug me too! ;D
what an awesome trip you got there! all photos were amazing, esp. those huge sea lions and those trees that very ancient...so lovely:)
wow, you have that perfect post birthday celeb! thanks for sharing those awesome photos.
What a wonderful birthday trip! I love Monterey we lived there for 17 months when Bob was in the Army. Your blessed to live in a place with such beautiful scenery. Debbie
Thanks for Sharing...:-) I love it.. The seal are so cute.. It feels like i also had a vacation in your place by those pictures...Hehehe
Beautiful shots - I love the last ones - great nature you show us :)
Happy BM!
http://fotochip.blogspot.com/2010/12/blue-monday_13.html
I remember driving along that coast - and never feeling so carsick as I did then! I would like to go again and see if my stomach can handle it better!
I love the blue water, it is to dip in the water especially when the weather is too hot.
Anne, you've brought back so many lovely memories for me today. Our daughter was born at the Naval base in California, and when my parents drove out to see their first grandchild, they took many of the same shots that you show today. Thank you!
Happy Blue Monday.
Thanks for inviting me along! I grew up in Modesto, CA, and have been along this stretch of coast, but not in a long time.
The Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle is very interesting. I like the shape and the geometric design on the bottom!
That sea lion beach looks wonderful!
Blue Hot Wheels
What beautiful sight! You've made me miss some of my favorite places on earth!
Happy belated birthday to you. Looks like a lovely trip.
What a fabulous getaway. Your photos are terrific. I hope you have a great day and enjoy Blue Monday. Blessings...Mary
Oh my girl, thanks so much for the stroll this mornin'. It was so much warmer than mine was out to the woodpile. It was a whoppin' six degrees this mornin' on the Ponderosa...I'm not even gonna talk about the windchill! heeehehehe!
Loved your pics, there are just beautiful.
God bless and enjoy your day sweetie!!!
beautiful...
Nice post.I am always looking for this type of updated post, and I am happy that I finally came here!
Ian Filippini
That was a wonderful drive, Miss Ann!! Thanks so much for "taking us along"... there is so much beautiful scenery where you live.
Happy Belated Birthday!!
Love your blog and your birthday trip up the California coast too. I am half Italian. My father's parents were both born and raised in Italy. Nana had the most beautiful accent. Love my heritage and would someday like to visit Italy and take a cooking class there.
Your pictures of Morro Bay made me homesick for California. I grew up in San Luis Obispo and lived on the Central Coast until my husband retired in 2002 when we moved to Utah to be closer to our kids. Your new puppy is so adorable. Abandoning pets is so bad but you're right, she's going to have a fabulous home with you! The Barbie tree is so cute. Mimi
Ok that sea lion most definitely had a big smile for blue Monday : )
Great trip, great pics Anne. Happy belated birthday to you.
Merry Christmas and Happy BM.
Love Claudie
xoxox
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