Day 7 - Tuesday 4 December 2018

San Simeon - Ventura

Yet another beautiful day as we continued driving south, listening to Beach Boys music.

Our first stop was at Morro Bay, with Morro Rock in the background.

Next stop was in San Luis Osbispo at the garish - https://www.madonnainn.com/ .

 We then stopped at Buellton to have a lovely lunch at - http://www.industrialeats.com/ .

We then drove to the Danish-styled city of Solvang, stopping first at the Old Mission Santa Ines.

We then stopped at the beautiful city of Santa Barbara, arriving just before sunset at the Old Mission Santa Barbara.

We then strolled up and down the beautifully lit State Street.

Then it was dinner at the Natural Cafe - http://www.menuclub.com/californiarestaurantguide/santabarbararestaurants/thenaturalcafedowntownsantabarbara-7630.php .

We then drove to our Ventura hotel for the evening.

Day 6 - Monday 3 December 2018

Monterey - San Simeon

Another beautiful day, with spectacular scenery and places.

We departed our cottage after breakfast, and visited the nearby John Denver Memorial - https://www.montereyherald.com/2017/10/10/john-denvers-tragic-accident-marks-20-years/ .

We then drove south to the Carmel Mission - https://carmelmission.org/ .

We then commenced our drive south along California's Highway 1 (almost 30 years ago, we drove this highway south to north, and prefer the north to south journey).

We stopped for hot chocolate at the beautifully positioned California Market at Pacific's Edge - https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/california/hyatt-carmel-highlands-overlooking-big-sur-coast-and-highlands-inn-a-hyatt-residence-club/higph/dining

We made several vista stops.

Ahead was Bixby Creek Bridge.

Then another vista stop.

Point Sur Lighthouse.

Then it was lunch at the beautifully located Nepenthe - https://www.nepenthe.com/ .

Woody Woodpecker flying off after a bit of pecking.

Di with Bjorn, the Great Dane.

Another vista stop.

McWay Falls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

Some more vista stops.

I'd rather be driving in a car!

We then stopped to look at the elephant seals, near San Simeon - http://www.elephantseal.org/ .

And I am the King!!!

Then we visited the amazing Hearst Castle, for a twilight tour (we did a longer daytime tour nearly 30 years ago, and enjoyed them both) - http://hearstcastle.org/ .

We then drove to nearby San Simeon for dinner and our hotel for the night.