California Re-Do, part 4

Ok, so we got up early on Saturday, May 15th. We got everything packed up, went to the gift shop to buy a hoodie I liked, and went outside to take some pictures around Union Square.

We then checked out of our room and got our car back from valet. It was time to hit the road! Our first stop wasn't far, though -  we headed over to Ocean Beach for breakfast at the Cliff House. It has a crazy history and I recommend reading about it.

 

We got seated next to a huge window, so we had quite a view of the Pacific. Breakfast was great, though a little expensive. They kept bringing out these yummy bread things which turned out to be popovers. Never had them before! 

After breakfast we took a few minutes to look at the ruins of the Sutro Baths (giant swimming pool complex).

This is what it looked like in the 1890's.

And here it is today.

After breakfast, we started our trek to Anaheim. This day was set aside completely for travel, which worked out well because it ended up taking us 12 hours to get down there! It was about 500 miles down the coast though, so it usually takes 9. Considering how many times I stopped for pictures, 3 hours of delay isn't that bad! We took CA-1 most of the way, and for several hours, every time we went around a corner, each view was more beautiful than the one before. It was totally amazing and I couldn't not stop every few minutes. I know Mark was a little annoyed/bored with it, but this drive was one of the main highlights of our trip and I know I'll never forget it. 

Pigeon Point Bluffs

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

Wildflowers

See that road? That is someone's driveway!

After 6+ hours of stopping and starting and driving super slowly on somewhat treacherous, very curvy roads on the side of cliffs, we were ready to go straight and fast! Eventually, we were basically at sea level, and the road straightened out and the speed limit increased. I saw a sign for a "Vista Overlook" but the scenery around the sign didn't look all that great, so we went past...and then I almost stopped in the middle of the road. Because, from our car flying down the highway, I could see thousands and thousands of elephant seals laying and playing on the beach, just meters from the road. We turned around and went back. And it was SO COOL.

OMG SEALS!!! 

Floridians don't have much experience with marine mammals. Sure, there are dolphins and manatees, but generally you see one, off in the distance. Even with wildlife in general, we have birds and squirrels...but no seals! Seals are amazing! The sheer number of animals on that beach was incredible. It was freezing and windy, but I'm guessing we stayed for 40 minutes to an hour. Mark finally dragged me away as it was getting dark - and since it was dark, that meant no more stopping for pictures, so we made much faster progress. We stopped to use the bathroom in Cambria, this tiny strip of a town, and then stopped for food in San Luis Obispo. Then, we went straight through LA to Anaheim. We were totally exhausted and pretty sick of our crappy car after our 12 hour trek down the coast. We checked into the Crowne Plaza near Disneyland around midnight, got had our floor upgraded (for free!) to the "Quiet Zone", and got some much needed sleep!