Road Trip USA 2023 - Part 2 (page 4 of 7)

DEVIL'S SLIDE BUNKER - PACIFICA

37.57024, -122.51603 Parking 37.56812, -122.51642 Bunker

This bunker, located on Devil's Peak, was built during World War II as part of the defense of the San Francisco harbor. It served as a triangulation and observation station.

The arrival of more modern anti-missile defense systems made the station obsolete. That’s why the site was completely abandoned in 1949.

Even though the land was acquired by a private owner, nothing has changed. The bunker, covered in graffiti, has remained isolated on its promontory.

https://youtu.be/CZggviOcUt4

MAVERICKS BEACH - HALF MOON BAY

37.50172, -122.49679 Parking 37.49570, -122.49530 Beach +/- 750 m one way

Mavericks Beach is located at Pillar Point, near Half Moon Bay in California. It’s one of the most famous beaches for surfing.

The underwater reliefs at Mavericks create an exceptional wave when conditions are optimal, especially during a strong winter swell from the west-northwest and an offshore east wind.

On a clear day, it’s also the perfect spot for a short hike along the ocean. You can even check out the wreck of a boat.

From the parking lot, just follow the trail that leads to the west coastline, all the way to the pier. Then, simply go around it to reach Mavericks Beach.

https://youtu.be/cB1JnftNXbM

MARTINS BEACH - HALF MOON BAY

37.37598, -122.40850 Parking 37.37859, -122.40994 Nice viewpoint of a rock in the ocean

Martins Beach is a picturesque little beach located in San Mateo County, just south of Half Moon Bay, California.

While walking on the beach, past the mouth of Lobitos Creek, you can get a closer look at a rock shaped like a shark fin.

When the tide is low, small tide pools form, making it great for discovering little sea creatures.

https://youtu.be/bQpq7eiFr5A

PIGEON POINT LIGHTHOUSE STATE HISTORIC PARK - PESCADERO

37.18173, -122.39391 Lighthouse 37.18288, -122.39432 Viewpoint 1 37.18205, -122.39286 Viewpoint 2 37.18148, -122.39438 Viewpoint 3 37.18278, -122.39309 Stairs to the beach

37.18350, -122.38437 Parking - View of Pigeon Point

The Pigeon Point Lighthouse, which opened in 1872, is located 80 kilometers south of San Francisco in California. Standing at 35 meters tall, it's one of the tallest lighthouses in America.

The surrounding landscape is truly breathtaking. Plus, it's the perfect spot to observe marine wildlife, especially gray whales between December and April.

During our visit, we didn't spot any. However, we did see some seals lounging on the rocks.

It's a must-visit if you're taking the scenic Highway 1.

https://youtu.be/NfH9kdSMb40

WHAT TO SEE IN SANTA CRUZ

Santa Cruz is a small beach town located on the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) in California. Here are some of its attractions.

* Lighthouse Field State Beach - Steamer Lane

Location: 36.95177, -122.02617

You’ll find a small surf museum run by the Santa Cruz Surfing Club Preservation Society, as well as Steamer Lane, an iconic surf spot in Santa Cruz.

You can also see sea lions there.

* Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

The boardwalk and its attractions (wooden roller coaster, carousel, etc.) were built in 1907 and are listed as historic landmarks.

* Mission Hill

36.97787, -122.03005 Mission Plaza 36.97859, -122.02992 Holy Cross Catholic Church 36.97802, -122.02944 Mission Santa Cruz 1791 36.97770, -122.02739 View of Downtown

The historic Mission Hill district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Until the Gold Rush, it was the religious, commercial, industrial, and agricultural center of the county.

The Holy Cross Catholic Church, located in this neighborhood, was built in 1889 in a neo-Gothic architectural style.

Today, the only remnants of that era are a few walls of the chapel and an adobe building that served as housing for Native Americans.

* Downtown

36.97716, -122.02694 Clock Tower 36.97642, -122.02680 World War Memorial 36.97497, -122.02653 Santa Cruz Cinema 36.97288, -122.02562 Downtown Santa Cruz Info Kiosk

Pacific Avenue is one of the liveliest streets in downtown Santa Cruz. You’ll find plenty of restaurants, cafés, and shops there.

* The Hook

Location: 36.95995, -121.96505

An amazing spot to watch the most experienced surfers.

https://youtu.be/Q2Axx1Ewk70

VISITING CAPITOLA

36.96981, -121.95632 Street parking 36.96970, -121.95577 Viewpoint over Capitola Beach 36.96991, -121.95337 Capitola Wharf 36.97168, -121.95211 Great viewpoint over Capitola Venetian Court

A short stroll through the village of Capitola, California’s oldest seaside resort, will let you discover colorful houses, restaurants, and unique shops.

Unfortunately, Capitola Wharf is no longer accessible after violent winter storms in January 2023 uprooted pilings and tore away part of its deck.

It’s also a great spot to watch surfers.

https://youtu.be/DB7eor_YAJY

WHAT TO SEE IN MONTEREY

Monterey is a city located on the west coast of California in the United States. Here are some of its attractions.

* Marina State Beach

36.69843, -121.80865 Parking

Marina State Beach offers a long stretch of fine sand and steady winds, making it a prime spot for hang gliding.

It’s common to spot dolphins here year-round, and it’s also a great place to watch sunsets.

The Marina Dunes Natural Preserve provides a habitat for various bird species and some animals rarely seen elsewhere.

Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=581

* Boardwalk

Hike of about 2.9 miles round trip

36.62059, -121.90633 Harbor Seal Lookout 36.60334, -121.89308 Monterey Sea Lions Lookout

We parked our car by the road near the Harbor Seal Lookout. We stopped there to watch the sea lions lounging on the beach.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the largest in the world, is located in this area. Underwater and interactive exhibits allow you to observe thousands of marine plants and animals.

We continued our walk along the boardwalk that runs along the coastline. The abandoned cannery buildings of Cannery Row, once the center of the sardine canning industry, have been turned into souvenir shops, seafood restaurants, and bars.

Several monuments line the route.

San Carlos Beach is a beautiful spot with stunning ocean views. You can also see sea lions there.

We made our way to the old Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s home to several shops, restaurants, and businesses offering water activities, including whale watching.

https://youtu.be/Gwq-zH1JQ30

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming town located in Monterey County, California. Clint Eastwood was mayor of this town from 1986 to 1988.

**Carmel Mission**

Location: 36.54309, -121.91925

We stopped by the Mission San Carlos Borroméo del río Carmelo. It’s located near the town of Carmel-by-the-Sea and is a designated historic landmark.

Founded in 1771, this mission aimed to extend Spanish influence in Alta California by converting Indigenous populations to Christianity and integrating them into Spanish culture.

Even today, it remains an active Catholic parish and an important site for cultural and religious pilgrimage.

When we visited, the site was closed, but I managed to take a few photos of it.

**Fairy Tale Houses of Carmel-by-the-Sea**

One of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s attractions is its collection of fairy tale houses. This whimsical theme was created by Hugh Comstock, a toy maker.

His wife had a beautiful doll collection. He first built a fairy-tale house to store them, along with a workshop right next door.

Little by little, Hugh Comstock built several more houses in this style in the area. Twenty-one of these houses still exist today, with about ten of them clustered in a small area that can be explored on foot.

Stop by the Carmel-by-the-Sea Visitor Center to pick up a self-guided map of Comstock’s fairy tale houses.

Here are the addresses of some of his most famous creations:

36.55666, -121.91916 Hansel and Gretel Cottages: Torres Street between 5th and 6th Avenues 36.55590, -121.91887 Hugh W Comstock Residence (Obers): corner of 6th Avenue and Torres Street 36.55586, -121.91844 The Studio Cottage 36.55634, -121.91842 Our House 36.55669, -121.91796 The Storybook Cottage: Santa Fe Street near 5th Avenue 36.55556, -121.91767 Honeymoon aka Yellowbird 36.55551, -121.91753 Birthday House 36.55543, -121.91754 Fables House 36.55528, -121.91754 Doll's House 36.55603, -121.91648 Ship House

This map lets you visualize their locations:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1lgI-7XmOD7LuokSnw2IHcbs4HwepynOC&ll=36.556202950523435%2C-121.91835459431138&z=19

If you’d like more information, I suggest checking out this website:

https://www.resistthemundane.com/how-to-find-carmel-by-the-sea-fairytale-cottages/#The_Hansel_Gretal_Cottages

https://youtu.be/F-5kjv8OwVY

LOVERS POINT PARK - PACIFIC GROVE

36.62648, -121.91677 Parking

Lovers Point is a stunning coastal spot in Pacific Grove, California. The view of the shoreline is breathtaking. There’s a small cove with a lovely beach that’s perfect for relaxing by the ocean.

The area is also popular with surfers. We saw a few of them during our visit.

Plus, there are adorable chipmunks that come right up to you. They’re really fun to watch.

https://youtu.be/F6XHAWDcMJs

CASTLE ROCK, HURRICANE POINT & LITTLE SUR RIVER VIEWPOINTS

These three viewpoints are located along the famous Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, in California.

36.37253, -121.90301 Castle Rock Viewpoint - Monterey

This viewpoint offers a stunning view of the Bixby Bridge and the coastline. When it opened in 1932, this bridge was the tallest single-span arch bridge in the world.

36.35746, -121.90276 Hurricane Point Vista Point – Carmel

This viewpoint provides a different perspective of the Bixby Bridge (a distant view). It also offers beautiful views of the rugged coastline and the many rocky outcrops rising from the ocean.

36.33702, -121.89159 Little Sur River Viewpoint

This viewpoint offers a breathtaking view of the mouth of the Little Sur River. The river winds through the sand before flowing into the ocean.

You can park along the roadside for a quick photo stop, but space is limited. Be cautious, as cars travel fairly quickly in this area.

Alternatively, there’s a much safer viewpoint a little further down the road (36.33091, -121.89173) that also offers a great view of the Little Sur River.

https://youtu.be/li0PhWYQaqg

PFEIFFER FALLS TRAIL

36.25114, -121.78662 Parking 36.25096, -121.78614 Trailhead 36.25266, -121.78332 Left junction Valley View Trail 36.25567, -121.78314 Right junction Pfeiffer Falls Trail 36.25663, -121.78134 Pfeiffer Falls

This hike takes place in a stunning forest filled with towering sequoias.

The trail leads to Pfeiffer Falls, which flows in thin streams down a rocky cliff.

We were delighted to spot a Steller’s jay, a beautiful bird that’s half blue, half black, with a long black crest.

For more information about this park, I suggest checking out the following website: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=578.

https://youtu.be/edY_1M01rDQ

JULIA PFEIFFER BURNS STATE PARK VISTA POINT & McWAY FALLS

These two viewpoints are located along Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, in California.

* Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Vista Point

Location: 36.16959, -121.68485

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park Vista Point is a great spot to take a break and enjoy the view of the coastline stretching for miles.

* McWay Falls

36.15998, -121.66858 Parking 36.15972, -121.66899 Trailhead 36.15990, -121.67332 Viewpoint of the beach and waterfall

A short round-trip hike of about 0.6 miles (1 km) starts from the parking area, goes under the highway, and leads to an observation deck overlooking the waterfall cascading onto the beach. The scenery is really picturesque.

https://youtu.be/RhbagykmNWg

HIGHWAY 1 - BIG SUR VIEWPOINTS

* Big Creek Bridge Viewpoint

36.07027, -121.60128 Belvedere 1 36.06928, -121.59840 Belvedere 2 36.06761, -121.59592 Belvedere 3

* Big Creek Cove Vista Point

36.06152, -121.59143

The Big Creek Bridge is an architectural marvel along the iconic Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) in California.

Built in 1932, this bridge is still functional today, and with its arch that blends seamlessly into the surrounding coastal landscape, it’s a great example of early 20th-century ingenuity.

A few belvederes at both ends of the bridge offer stunning panoramic views of the bridge itself and the coastline.

* Sand Dollar Beach

35.92131, -121.46687 Parking 35.92246, -121.46857 Beach

From the picnic area parking lot, a footpath leads to the stairs that take you down to this beach. Once on the sand, you can walk in either direction.

The southern end of the beach features many picturesque rocky outcrops, while heading north lets you explore sea caves.

* Willow Creek View Point

35.89302, -121.46109

This belvedere offers a fantastic panoramic view of the bridge over Willow Creek and the towering cliffs along the coastline.

* Big Sur Lookout

35.85376, -121.41163

This viewpoint provides a stunning view of the coastline and is also the perfect spot to watch the sunset.

https://youtu.be/B8XugIZp3s4

SALMON CREEK FALLS

35.81569, -121.35878 Parking 35.81553, -121.35855 Trailhead 35.81614, -121.35698 Waterfall

Salmon Creek Falls is located along Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) in California.

A 500-meter round-trip linear trail leads to these falls, nestled in a lush forest.

The trail is short but has some steep sections—caution is advised.

We also had to climb a few rocks to get closer to the falls.

https://youtu.be/QiP5IvCJDUM

SAN CARPOFORO CREEK TRAIL

35.76511, -121.32021 Parking and trailhead 35.76473, -121.32290 Beach

The parking lot is small, but since the place isn’t very busy, you should be able to park there without any issues.

Past the gate, you’ll see the trail, which is about 350 meters long and leads to San Corpoforo Creek.

The creek runs along the back of the beach and then flows into the ocean.

To walk on the beach and get closer to the ocean, just head to the creek’s mouth where it’s shallowest, cross it, and you’ll reach the beach.

https://youtu.be/mWaYgvhYvnA

ELEPHANT SEAL VISTA POINT - SAN SIMEON

Location: 35.66306, -121.25753

This viewpoint is located on Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) in California.

A long boardwalk has been built to allow us to observe the many elephant seals lounging on the beach.

It’s really impressive to see these animals in their natural habitat and watch them interact with each other.

https://youtu.be/6dCD4rA7GE0

SAN SIMEON PIER

Location: 35.64298, -121.18776

San Simeon Pier is located on Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) in California, near Elephant Seal Beach, Hearst Castle, and Cambria.

So, if you're passing through this area, I invite you to visit this spot too. There’s plenty of parking available, and access is free.

The pier extends over 200 meters into the ocean. Walk to the end and turn around to admire the truly picturesque scenery.

Fishing is allowed from the pier. In fact, there were fishermen there when we visited, and the fish were biting.

The beach is long and perfect for walking. Plus, there’s a picnic area set up along the shore.

https://youtu.be/wRmNDODnvks

MOONSTONE BEACH BOARDWALK - CAMBRIA

35.58062, -121.118128 Parking 35.57272, -121.112890 Seal View Beach Deck

This long wooden boardwalk is located in the seaside town of Cambria, California.

Stretching about 1.25 miles round-trip, it runs along the beach and offers stunning ocean views.

When we were there, we spotted several seals lounging on the rocks. However, some seemed bothered by the waves that occasionally reached them, making for a pretty amusing moment.

https://youtu.be/viq0RqsgX8g

SHIPWRECK - ESTERO BLUFFS STATE PARK

35.44951, -120.91828 North Ocean Parking Area 35.44748, -120.91899 Shipwreck

To access this shipwreck, you first need to head to the dirt parking lot at the corner of Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) and N. Ocean Ave in California.

A short hike of about 250 meters from the parking lot will take you to the edge of the cliff overlooking the beach, giving you a bird’s-eye view of the wreck.

It’s also possible to reach the wreck at low tide. However, when we were there, we had to skip it because the tide was high, and the waves were crashing against the boat’s hull.

Still, the ship’s condition is pretty rough, so it’s definitely best to steer clear.

The story goes that on July 28, 2017, this commercial fishing boat was returning to the port of Morro Bay. Unfortunately, the boat’s propeller got tangled in a crab trap line, and the owner cut the engine to try to free it.

But then, a thick fog rolled into the bay, reducing visibility while the boat drifted. It eventually ran aground in the sand at the base of the cliffs in Estero Bay.

The boat’s owner and his crewmate were able to leave the boat safely at low tide, and the Coast Guard declared the vessel beyond repair.

Removing the boat from the water would have cost the California State Lands Commission 70 000 $ since it had run aground on their land—a sum they couldn’t afford.

With no existing program for commercial vessels, the owner was held responsible for removing the boat. But since he had no insurance, he chose to abandon it.

https://youtu.be/zksjnBTuVIY

SURF COMPETITION IN MORRO BAY

35.37070, -120.86530 Parking

Morro Bay, California, hosts several annual surf events. When we passed through in December, we got to watch some surfers competing at this spot.

We took the opportunity to sit comfortably in our vehicle and observe the skills of these excellent surfers.

You can get a glimpse of it in this video.

https://youtu.be/gA2OxneSdVw