:: California Family Road Trip ::
It was only a few years ago that we embarked on the most
charming road trip with the kids up the coast of California.
We turned what would have been a regular Fall weekend
into a long, relaxed, and simple family trip.
We set out in the early morning hours,
with our kids still cozied up in their warm pj’s.
We headed up the 5 Freeway from Orange County {in Southern California}
towards Solvang. We stopped for a brief visit
and delved through the endearing little town.
With our tummies filled of warm Belgian waffles,
and nutty, chocolately fudge to go….
we traveled North for a few more hours to the captivating seaside city of Monterey.
We were fortunate enough to reserve a room at the beautiful Intercontinental Hotel…
The best part, was that the hotel was located on Cannery Row.
Once we parked, we didn’t have to take the car out again!
We wandered through the darling town and instantly fell in love with the area…
That first night was cold and crisp {absolutely perfect, in my opinion}.
We had dinner with the littles and made our way to
Ghirardelli for salted caramel hot chocolates…
{find a yummy recipe from pinterest here}
After a restful night of sleep
we spent the day at the acclaimed Monterey Bay Aquarium.
{Buying the tickets through the hotel allowed us to get
a two day pass for the price of a one day entrance fee}
Our family LOVES animals, learning & science,
so this was perfect!!
It was truly the best aquarium we had ever been to…
a definite must see for any family!
{Ryan mesmerized & in complete awe of the jellyfish}
The next morning, Husby snuck out of the room to find me
some gourmet hot coffee {lucky girl}.
He was gone for a lonnnng time,
but I forgave him because he not only came back with Starbucks,
but with these beautiful early morning photos of Monterey…
{Husby has a way with the camera. He captures what I feel are “God moments” when he photographs
the simple things… that I might pass by without taking notice}.
After another brisk trip through the Aquarium,
we set off down the 101 Highway,
driving the meandering coastal path toward
Pebble Beach, Carmel & Big Sur…
It would have been much faster to just jump on the 5 Freeway,
but we would have missed all of this…
{Pebble Beach, California}
{Carmel, California}
If I were a cow, I think I’d be happy grazing here!
{Traveling down the coast towards Big Sur, California}
It was a lengthy drive that day…
fortunately, the littles slept much of it.
It took about 5 hours to travel from Monterey to Avila Beach
where we were staying for another night.
Just before Avila, we aimlessly stumbled across some
elephant seals basking on the beach…
We reached our destination before nightfall.
We stayed at one of our favorite quaint hotels…
{We have stayed there two times in the past.
They have been so kind and accommodating both times.
Although it is, in fact, a small hotel,
it feels more like a Bed & Breakfast.}
We were greeted with warm homemade cookies…
and a basket of tasty snacks waiting on the island of the kitchen in our room.
We were able to browse through
their DVD collection to borrow a couple of movies for the night.
{The hotel offers another area where you can microwave complimentary
popcorn and make hot chocolate}.
Seriously…..it’s darling, with all the right touches!
In town, we strolled across the lovely beach
{skipping rocks in the ocean as we went}…
walked the rustic pier…
ate at the one main restaurant…
and had a warm drink at their local coffee shop.
Before leaving the picturesque town, we ventured over to our
very favorite pumpkin patch…
the Avila Valley Barn.
We have so many lovely photos
of the littles feeding the farm animals,
dawdling through the hay & corn mazes,
and sitting on mounds of plump orange pumpkins…
Honestly….it was one of our all time favorite
family road trips.
Who would have thought that three nights away
could become so cherished?
I look back….three years later,
with sweet, soul satisfying memories.
Now that we’ve added our littlest man Finn {aka Mr. Amazing},
we are eager to travel North again!
Perhaps next Fall…. to delight ourselves
with the simple, yet beautiful things…
along the charmed California coast.
{xo, sara}