The Great Allen Family Road Trip: Day 1

This past week was Matt's spring break so we made big plans. We did a trip down the California Coast and had such a wonderful week! So, brace yourself for a lot of pictures and warning, I may say the words "beautiful" and "amazing" a dozen times, but this really was a memorable trip. That being said, let the travel log begin!

Monday morning we were up and on the road by 6:20 am. Our Camry was jam packed and our boys were teetering in and out of consciousness as we drove up the 5 North then headed west to our first stop: Santa Cruz. (Let me first say we timed this trip perfectly. California has been saturated with rain the past few weeks so everywhere we went the trees and fields were bright green and wild flowers were all over. Even the boring Interstate 5 was beautiful all the way up.) Our first destination in Santa Cruz was a place called the Mystery Spot.

The Mystery Spot is just inland a few miles tucked into the redwoods. It is called the Mystery Spot because there is a "spot" of ground 150 ft in diameter that has some very mysterious effects. Seriously, this place was so much fun. A house was built above the spot but slide down the hill and is stopped in the center of the mystery spot. Inside the house you feel the strongest effects. There is some strange gravitational pull or something but you seriously have to lean against it's forces. It is so strong inside the house that it made me dizzy and really light-headed. I could barely walk through the little two room cabin. Matt, on the other hand, was doing tricks. Look at where his feet are in relation to the rest of his body as he stands on the edge of this table.

We're leaning

This was a great first stop and it was so beautiful around here. I have never really been in Redwoods but they are spectacular! My boys liked it too.We hiked around a little and stretched out our cramped legs as we took in all the sights and smells of the Mystery Spot. From there we drove over to the coast and hit up the Santa Cruz boardwalk and pier. Argh Matey!

It was fun to see but quite honestly past its prime. A little trashy around the boardwalk area but I'm sure it was the happenin' spot in its heyday.

Just North of the pier was "Steamer Lane," a famous surf spot so we had to take a peek as well as see the Santa Cruz surf museum for Matt.

This area was actually much nicer and it was a beautiful day to watch surfing

From there we drove about a half hour south to Monterey. Crew needed some seriously energy releasing so we went straight to the Dennis the Menace Park. It was totally awesome!

The park was full of fun things to explore and play on. Crew was in heaven.

After the park we went and checked into our little Bed and Breakfast hotel. If you ask Crew what his favorite part of our trip was he will tell you "the hotels." Crew loves hotels, seriously, loves hotels. He can't wait to get there and talks nonstop for at least 30 minutes after we get to our room telling us all about what things are, why things are where, what he likes and whatever else he can think to tell us about the hotel. It is really quite funny. This little inn was really fun because each room was a separate little house which was a big hit with Crew.

Graham also enjoyed the hotel and the chance to finally really stretch out and relax. My smiley, chunky cheeked boy!
It was a great first day - minus a blow out by Graham and Crew not going to sleep until almost 10 since he was so excited about the hotel!

Day 2

We started off Day 2 with our breakfast basket delivered to our door. Nice huh!
Crew, already a hotel enthusiast, was satisfied by this! Love his morning hair.

After breakfast we drove through the little town of Carmel, darling by the way, and enjoyed some fresh morning beach air. The views were just amazing. I really would love to spend more time in Carmel some day. Vacation home maybe? (Matt will be an amazing physical therapist so we may be able to afford it :) )

I love the trees on the beach

Crew loved them too.

This is Pebble Beach Golf Course. The U.S. Open will be there in June. I'd take up golf to play on some of these courses.

Next we did the 17 mile drive through Pebble Beach. Again, it was beautiful. Really one of the most amazing places I've ever seen. I think we hit this town at the best time of year because of all the rain they have had lately it was all so green and it happened to be nice and sunny too.

The Lone Cypress. Cypress trees are now one of my favorites. So mystical and enchanting aren't they?

Crew hiding in his tree house

After the 17 mile drive we stopped back at the hotel and grabbed a little bite to eat. This is right outside our little room. Quaint, huh?

Next we did the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Too bad I didn't get any better pictures but it was really fun. Crew especially had a blast. We also walked Cannery Row. Fun area.

This picture is for Christian. That is all that I need to say about it.

We finished the day at the Wharf in Monterey.

Matt enjoying some fantastic clam chowder.

Crew loved the boats and watching the otters play in the water

Crew took this picture. Not too bad huh? I mean the photography.

We loved this area so much! We could not get over the beauty of this region. Definitely the favorite spot for Matt and I.

Day 3

Day three we got up and said goodbye to our quaint little B & B in Carmel, then drove a few miles south to our first stop: Point Lobos State Park. This is Whaler's Cove. We didn't see any whales but there were lots of seals and otters!

Same spot. You can see Carmel bay wrapping around in the background. Beautiful.

Don't look Kath but we did have to stop for deer on this expedition!

This is another hike in the park. The paths were gorgeous along sheer, rugged cliffs and through twisted old trees.
A view of Carmel bay

Crew was great, but he is 3 and loves to jump and run. Oh did he make me nervous a couple times!

After Point Lobos we made a quick stop for some shots at Bixby bridge.

From there, we drove to Andrew Molera State Park and hiked a little over a mile down to the beach.

Graham was a good little hiker but did sleep through a lot of it!

Andrew Molera State Beach

Crew and Matt wading in the river that runs out to the beach.

A shot from one of the vista points. The entire coastline was amazing and the misty fog kind of added to its grandeur.

This is Julia Phiefer State Park. Like so much already, absolutely beautiful!

Check out the color of that water!

After Julia Phiefer, we were trying to hurry down to San Simeon so we could make it to our 3 :40 tour of the Hearst Castle. The drive was spectacular, winding, and much slower than we were anticipating, but we made it there just in time. However, when we walked in to get our reserved tickets, we learned our tour was at 2:40, not 3:40! Oops! Luckily, they changed us to the first tour of the morning at no extra charge. So, we drove another 50 minutes south to our hotel in San Luis Obispo (great town by the way). Crew, of course, was thrilled to be in another hotel. After listening to Crew talk nonstop for 30 minutes and getting comfortable, we ate, and got to bed early since we had another big day ahead!

***This travel log is so long it won't all fit on this page so click OLDER POSTS to see the last day!