Our California Road Trip

 

We have traveled out to California many different times over the years. Each time, we all have such a wonderful time. This trip was more or less to see Yosemite National Park. The park is such an incredibly beautiful place. Son has gotten older and had rather go off with his friends. He agreed he would go if we would spend the trip out doors hiking and exploring. So, we agreed any thing to get him to come. Right?? Well, when they get to his age they had rather not. This trip was planned mainly to hike and enjoy nature.  We wanted to get away from the day to day activities of our normal life. We flew into Fresno, California then planned to drive up to the park.  First order of business was to hit the famous In and Out Burgers. See we as a family are always seeking the best burger. Trying them from every corner of the country. They are great burgers do not get me wrong, but I still think by far the best burger is a Holeman and Finch burger.

The drive took us about 2 hours to reach The Ahwahnee Hotel which is located in the park.  We had been advised to stay in the park and everyone said to make sure you get to stay at The Ahwahnee. It is a beautiful old hotel and has been maintained rather well for all those years. The hotel is located in such a beautiful setting. The dining room is a beautiful large grand room. They have a man playing the grand piano each meal. I will say I was rather disappointed in the food. But, the atmosphere, the music, the view and the company made up for the food. Many say this is a four or five star resort. I was expecting a 4 or 5 star room. The rooms needed to be updated badly. We did have a room with one of the best views in the house, they had a cheese plate and chocolates in our room upon our arrival. The staff all did a great job of making you feel welcome and comfortable.  Nice!

The first day in the park we did a 4.6 mile hike which was not a smart way to start out a vacation. Why we could not walk the next day. Because, see if you hike 4.6 miles then you have to return the same distance making it a very strenuous hike up a mountain with the air getting thiner and thiner. For us folks that live on flat land silly of us…live and learn. We seem to never learn. The hike was a beautiful, the weather was perfect, the views simply breath taking and I had my 2 favorite buddies with me…couldn’t be any better.

The following day we started out by having the brunch in the grand dining room. Then off to explore the park. Today we all decided it would be lighter hiking. Why we could hardly walk. We drove over to the area where they have the giant sequoia trees. These trees are massive trees. Some of the trees are as much as 210 feet tall and 92 feet in diameter.  We had yet another beautiful day to spend in the park. Sunny, cool not to hot and not to cold a perfect day. We have all been to the Muir Woods Redwoods forest they are taller reaching 394 feet. Sequoias are much fatter at the bottoms with a larger diameter. Interesting to learn about them.

Then we went to the water falls to explore the different water falls so beautiful. They are having a drought in the park and say by summer the water falls will be dry. WOww 50% of the water in California comes from the park. We spent the following day exploring, watching the climbers on the sides of the mountains and the fields of wild flowers. It is such an amazingly beautiful place.

One of our favorite things we found was cookies made by a girl named Kelly‘s and oh my so good. We had one everyday while in Yosemite. Then before leaving we loaded up and planned to bring them home to friends and family well…we ate them all. Can you believe the Sarris’s ate 16 cookies awful of us huh? They are so good….my favorite was the oatmeal, walnut and chocolate chip. The boys liked the oatmeal and raisin. Got home and ordered 2 boxes of 20 ~ we loved them! Try them sure you will love them as well.

The next morning bright and early we hit the road to the pacific coast highway. It was a beautiful drive. The rolling hills with such vibrant green grass, yellow poppies dotting the pastures and cute brown cows.

We stopped at a taco truck taking such a risk, had not read anything about the place and  no customers….it was early but hey we had been up such a long time and for us east coasters not to early we were starved. Oh my goodness they may have been the best tacos ever. We ordered 3 more, another 3 and another 3. By the time we had eaten all our tacos the place was packed there was no place to stand or sit. Great Choice !! Before late afternoon we had made it to Pacific Coast Highway.

We made many stops along the way, Monterey was our first stop. They have a little lovely antique shop we all enjoy browsing in each time out that way.  We have stopped at this little place 2 times previously. Was so please with myself that I could find it….after all these years.  Then on to Carmel, oh I do love Carmel such a quaint little place. The boys went out to Pebble Beach Golf Course. We all agreed our next trip would be here 7 days of just resting and relaxing.

The next day we started out and we had the most beautiful drive the highway runs right along the coast. We stopped got some fresh cuties { this is a little tart seedless mandarin orange} and some fresh sweet strawberries oh so good. In the early morning it is rather foggy then as the sun comes up it burns off the fog and you are left with a beautiful day.

 

The breeze off the ocean is a little chilly and clean smelling so lovely, CORNNY but it is ! Then in the other direction all you can see is large rolling green hills with wild flowers blowing in the breeze. We went to Santa Barbara had a wonderful lunch at a little place on the water. Then off to the next stop.

 

We stopped in Malibu then on to Santa Monica we had planned to spend the next few days here and in the LA area.  Funny fact ~ I was born in LA? Bet you did not know that about me, this country bumpkin was born in LA proper. Surprised ?

One day we went to Venice Beach just not the way I remember it at all. We parked to walk about, shop and have a nice lunch. When we returned to our car we had a drunk man passed out by our car yuk Only in Venice Beach …right be mindful were you park. We ask him kindly to move over so we did not hurt him pulling out, he says oh thats allllll right don’t mind me? Goodness! Told the parking attendant to have him move so we did not run over him while backing out and he could careless says the guy is there all the time? Guess he has been to the Green Doctor ? Hummmm

 

We made it to West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Farmers Market, Hollywood and all the different areas. We ate at some really nice places while there, we let son pick all the places to eat and he was in heaven. We dined in LA eating over three or four times a day. We shopped, saw the sights and we met friends for dinner.  We enjoyed our visit had a great time…but most of all it was good to see “Son” and spend time with him. He drove most of the trip and did the navigation WOW huh! He did a great job!  Was a lovely trip to see the other side of the country. If you ever get the chance to drive down Pacific Coast Highway, do it I promise you will have a wonderful adventure. Be spontaneous eat along the way stop along the journey. Stop and eat grilled and fried artichokes so good. You will have the time of your life. You will return again and again just like us to do it one more time. Happy Trails to you…

 

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Smiles….
Angie

Here is a funny, see the name of the boat ?