California Coast - part 1

since we weren't able to find camping spot we got a hotel in Monterey. we were in San Simeon so we had to drive back up the coast which I didn't mind one bit. we ended up driving it 3 times on this trip. 

  we stopped at McWay falls one of the few in the US that flows directly into the ocean. we saw it last time we were in Big Sur but I can't get enough of it.

next stop- the Bixby Canyon bridge!

we stayed in Monterey that night and that evening we walked down the downtown area. we ate tasty sandwiches for dinner and met a cool bartender there. he was holding the cutest puppy and he said he worked at a bar in Big Sur. I thought it was way cool that he got to live in Big Sur but he might live in Monterey and drive there for work. meeting new people is one of my favorite things about traveling.

  

Monterey Bay to the Coast

we explored Monterey Bay the next day and walked down Cannery Row.

 we left Monterey and started driving along the coast. we got out and explored this stunning area with these yellow wildflowers everywhere.

we continued driving and stopped and watched the elephant seals at Point Reyes in San Simeon. they were so cute and I loved watching them flip sand onto their backs to keep cool.

we had planned on camping in Big Sur for the night but every campsite we tried was full. I was really disappointed because I had really been looking forward to camping there. we should have known though because we were there in July in peak season. we would have reserved a spot but it fills up months in advance and if you don't reserve it's first come first serve. I want to plan a time that we can reserve a spot because some of the campsites look incredible.