After spending time in Yosemite, my friend Kristen and I traveled west to Santa Cruz to meet a friend.  We stayed up in the great little town of Ben Lomond and spent a day hiking quite a few miles in Big Basin Redwood State Park.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park Hidden waterfall at Big Basin Redwoods State Park

Then we set out to drive the Pacific Coast Highway.  The PCH is a feast for the eyes!  Around every twist and turn is a gorgeous view of the violent and relentless ocean, a steep rock face, or wildflowers of every color.  And we're not just talking about a few miles...  this is over 650 miles of shoreline drive.  It is sensual overdrive and takes a couple of days to enjoy.  We stayed a night in Carmel-by-the-Sea, which is one of the most unique towns I've ever seen.  The best way to describe the homes there would be that they look like Hobbit homes.  The Monterey Peninsula, 17-mile drive, Carmel, Big Sur, San Luis Obispo...  Wow! What an adventure.

17 Mile Drive in Monterey Peninsula Along the Pacific Coast Highway Along the Pacific Coast Highway Bixby Creek Bridge near Big Sur Gold Poppies along the Pacific Coast Highway Near San Luis Obispo