The Big Sur

After leaving LA we tried to get a look at Venice Beach but struck a bike race on a Sunday morning. Road blocks made it it all too hard for ‘Sylvia’ our GPS navigator, so we continued along the road north to Malibu checking out the locals along the way. We picked up some supplies at a small supermarket and continued up towards Highway 1. The countryside was very dry and sparcely covered. Not much livestock to speak of either but we now know where all the strawberries come from. We drove for miles through acres of strawberries growing in what seemed like sand, to be honest. We stopped for lunch at Pismo Beach where we endulged in peanut butter sandwiches in front of million dollar houses on the beach.

Lunch at Pismo Beach

San Luis Obispo was the next stop where we went to Kohls and bought some pillows and a hammer. More on the hammer later. With some fuel at Cambria and some driving tips from the servo operator. First to the stop sign has the right of way apparently. Luckily I was applying this principle anyway. Although he did say something about turning left, where you best be wary.
The road from here on became a little tighter and at San Simeon we stopped to see the Elephant seals who were basking in the sun, making the odd strange noise and doing little else.

Elephant Seals at San Simeon

The road became very tight from here on and the scenery quite spectactular. Ocean views and a road that hugged the coastline were very reminiscent of the Great Ocean Road back home. Countryside is still quite dry but there were plenty of photo stops along the way.

Scenery on Highway 1

The day was getting pretty long and we were keen to make the campsite at Big Sur before dark. We only just managed arriving at around 7pm and putting up the tents in dwindling light. The fact that the site was in amongst some of the biggest redwood trees you’re likely to see made it a little dimmer as well. One of the nicest camp sites we have stayed at though.

Big Sur campsite

Getting back to the hammer we bought. It was an all purpose pliers, hammer, fence strainer, wheel brace come screwdriver and it seems not much good at any of those jobs so we had to borrow a real hammer from the guy next door. Dinner was at the campground with a very respectable restaurant filling the spot.
Tomorrow promises to be a good one as we head up to San Fransisco.