Highway 1

So the plan for (what day was yesterday?) was to explore SLO for a bit then head up Highway 1 to Santa Cruz by nightfall.

San Luis Obispo was picture perfect. The sun was shining, birds were chirping and there was spring in the air. So, California's thing is the prolifiration of Mission buildings - built by Father Junipero Serra, there are found everywhere along the Californian coast. The mission at SLO is still in use (there was a funeral that was just finishing when I went) and the museum attached gives you an idea of what life would have been like for the monks and others who lived there.


For the rest of the day, I'm going to let the pictures tell the tale (i.e. I am tired and I need to go to bed)
California has so many beaches!
Hearst Castle - not a real castle in the classical sense, but a castle none the less.
Bet you've seen this scene in at least one movie!
The wildlife are friendly.
Oops!

I did spend the next 5 hours going all the way back, almost to SLO before getting on another highway bound for SF. I don't regret taking the Highway 1 route though, it was a beautiful, memorable experience. One day I will see the Big Sur.