Moonstone Beach, Cambria, CA

I took a road trip from my house in Pasadena, CA, up to Cambria on California’s Central Coast via a stop in Santa Barbara. Total mileage––about 240 miles, which is the longest distance I have ever driven by myself. My late husband, Eddie, always did all the long–distance driving and I navigated and took photos along the way. Now it is my turn to do all three. Two hundred forty miles probably doesn’t sound like a great distance, but for me, it was a milestone. Photo: Moonstone Beach, Cambria, showing some of the many motels along with coastline.

Moonstone Beach, Cambria, CA

Ventura County

I took the 101 up to Santa Barbara. It was Sunday with little traffic––a great day to do this trip. It had rained the last two days and I thought I would hit some showers, which I did but not until around the turnoff to Solvang. Photo: Driving through Ventura County––its hills and mountains. I used Eddie’s little Pentax to take photos while driving. I kept it in a tray in the position that I would take photos with it. I could pick up the camera and turn it on with one hand. Then with the same hand, I just pointed it in the general direction of what I wanted to take a photo of and then clicked the shutter. I did not focus the photos. I did get a number of photos of the inside of my car, but also some good ones as well. I only took photos when there wasn’t much traffic.

Ventura County

Santa Barbara County

Approaching Santa Barbara, with beautiful ocean views. The coast highways in California are above the coast line so that you can easily see the Pacific Ocean on your drives. Today, it was a beautiful blue.

Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara County

Closer to Santa Barbara. One of the few cities along the coast that has both mountain and ocean scenery.

Santa Barbara County

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

The brunch room––that’s Allison and Roslyn at the food table. We ate inside (near the food), but you can also eat outside in the patio. You should make reservations for the brunch. The brunch is pricey but well worth it, especially for special occasions––I guess that includes seeing my in–laws again.

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

The brunch room––that’s Allison and Roslyn at the food table. We ate inside (near the food), but you can also eat outside in the patio. You should make reservations for the brunch. The brunch is pricey but well worth it, especially for special occasions––I guess that includes seeing my in–laws again.

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

One of the many food tables.

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

The Asian table––sushi, etc.

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

Shrimp, oysters, and crab legs.

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

My favorite table––the caviar.

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

Another of my favorites––one of the several dessert tables.

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

These are all for dipping in the chocolate fountain.

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

My brunch plate.

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

My dessert plate. Most people add at least another plate between the first one and the dessert plate but I couldn’t eat anymore. I really enjoyed my brunch and seeing Allison and Roslyn again.

Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel

Santa Barbara County

Between Goleta (just north of the city of Santa Barbara) and Cambria, about 2 hours from here, on the 101 and then the 1, you are driving in California countryside, some of it with ocean views. This area is what all of California must have looked like before everyone moved here. There are few buildings along most of the road except ranch buildings. I saw many cows and horses and even a llama. Also, much of the way, you are driving along the old El Camino Real, the route taken by the Spanish missionaries on their California travels.

Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara County

You can see the ocean on the left.

Santa Barbara County

San Luis Obispo County

Part of the 101 here is only a two–lane highway, past farms and vineyards.

San Luis Obispo County

San Luis Obispo County

Farther along.

San Luis Obispo County

San Luis Obispo County

Farther along.

San Luis Obispo County

San Luis Obispo County

At San Luis Obispo, I changed from the 101 to the 1. Photo: Ocean views along the 1. I passed Morro Bay and Cayucos, before arriving in Cambria.

San Luis Obispo County

Cambria

I made it: Brian and Dale Griffin’s beautiful new house (I was going to take a better photo of it and then forgot to). Brian and Dale have retired in Cambria along with many other people. The town’s population is about 6,500. This year, Forbes listed Cambria as one of the 20 prettiest towns in America. It is.

Cambria

Cambria

My wonderful friends, Dale and Brian Griffin.

Cambria

Cambria

Brian and Dale have several ocean views from their balcony. With this one, you can even see the waves coming ashore. In the far background is the Piedras Blanca Lighthouse, which I would visit on Tuesday.

Cambria

Cambria

Closer–up view of the Piedras Blanca Lighthouse.

Cambria

Cambria

From this view, Brian and Dale can see the rockets being shot off from Vanderberg Airforce Base. There was a rocket launch at 6:10 a.m. the next day. I tried to wake up for it but fell back asleep.

Cambria

Cambria

And a third view. The house on the left is up for sale.

Cambria

Cambria

Baby, Brian and Dale’s parrot. It welcomed us whenever we entered the house, one time with a lot of loud duck quacking: a duck–quacking parrot. It also says, “Hello, Dale,” etc. Very cute bird. Brian and Dale have made numerous friends here in Cambria and they had one of their friends over for dinner with us. Meeting people who live here in Cambria was a treat.

Cambria