Monterey, California

From San Francisco, we rolled down the coast and made a quick stop in Half Moon Bay - you can camp right on the beach at Francis Beach, we spruced up and walked Kodi. Next stop: Santa Cruz , our basecamp for exploring Monterey, Carmel & Big Sur. We chose the Holiday Inn Express IGH Santa Cruz (1410 Ocean St) - budget friendly compared to the pricey digs in Monterey, Carmel or Big Sur! On the way down we stopped in Castroville,the self-proclaimed Artichoke Capital of The World. Don’t miss the Giant Artichoke Fruit & Vegetable Stand; 11241 Merritt St - deliciously fun stop, fresh produce, sweet wine, small-town charm.

Fisherman’s Wharf is classic - seafood joints, bay views, and sea lions on standby. Don’t skip the Monterey Bay Aquarium a global icon.. Over on Cannery Row, relive John Steinbeck’s gritty lit scene from Cannery Row and Travels with Charlie . Book a table or a bar stool at the ledgendary Sardine Factory (www.sardinefactory.com) that dark infamous dark bar where Clint Eastwood met his stalker in Play Misty For Me (1971). www.montereybayaquarium.org/

From Carmel-by-The-Sea, wind your way through the 17-mile drive… a full day scenic loop through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove. Expect ocean cliffs, cypress trees, golf legends, and star-studded estates (Hi Clint Eastwood, Condoleeza Rice and Charles Schwab) The Lone Cypress is the money shot-of the most photographed trees in North America. https://www.pebblebeach.com/17-mile-drive/

Cruise the iconic Pacific Coast Highway through Big Sur -dramatic coastline, cliffs and endless ocean views. If you’re brave enough for an off-the-beaten-path detour- Take the Old Coast Road for the ultimate photo op at Bixby Bridge. But, learn from us: turn back to the highway after the pic. We didn’t and ended up deep in a 10- mile unpaved, dirt road adventure through into Los Padres National Forest! Grit required! After all that beauty, it’s a 4-5 hour inland drive to Yosemite, via Mariposa, CA- gateway to granite wonderland!