California Coast

I didn't think there was any coastal area in California which wasn't overrun with people.  However, Drake and I managed to find an area.  First, we had to change our plans on the fly - nothing unusual for us in doing that.  We'd planned to leave Yosemite and drive 200 miles to Sequoia National Park and stay there a few days.  Personally, I love the 'big trees'.  If you haven't been to a grove of giant redwoods or sequoias, you can't imagine the pure oxygen rush you get along with the awe over the majesty of these trees.  So.....  When we discovered the weather was going to be horrible - blowing snow, below freezing weather, etc., even though I was disappointed, we started thinking about finding somewhere else to go. 

I first thought Death Valley National Park - a place I've wanted to see.  However even in mid April the temps are too fierce.  I turned west remembering the big rock in Morro Bay, and I also started thinking about the Hearst Castle.  We discovered Morro Bay as the final hurrah to our Big Sur trip of a few years ago.  The rock intrigued me.  In addition to Morro Bay, there was Los Osos which we hadn't seen.  Both are small coastal communities outside of San Luis Obispo. 

This rock is MASSIVE and sits offshore in the ocean.  It turns out to be what's left of an extinct volcano, and it's one of nine in a chain.  They were blowing their tops 20 million years ago.  Once you know this, you can spot the other eight.  They are all on land, and are covered with a thin layer of top soil.   Bright green grass grows on them in the spring, and they have identical shapes to the Morro Bay rock. 

Even better, the coastline is beautiful and in the same vein as the Big Sur area.  

There's even a chain of small California State parks which are filled with coast line hugging hikes.  Here I am on the kind of hike I like - easy with great scenery.  

And it wouldn't be a hike without flowers.  In Montero de Oro State Park, the bright yellow poppies (the 'Oro' in the name) were just starting to bloom.  Some years they cover the worn down hills.

When you faced away from the ocean, here was the 'view'.  There were also hiking trails all over these hills up and down the coast.  You just have to be on the lookout for rattlers and those pesky ticks.  

By contrast, the Yosemite accommodations were barely adequate, and the food at Yosemite was completely lackluster, and for me downright poisonous.  On the California coast we stayed at a coastal bed/breakfast two room suite right across the street from a chef run small restaurant.  All his food was absolutely delish. It was a delightful couple of days, and a place we are contemplating going back to for a longer stay.   If you want to see more pictures, well I have them.  Just click on the link.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/u1BSco0jTxU7aZ3T2