After breakfast at our hotelĀ in Mill Valley, we drove south across the Golden Gate Bridge and south toward Monterey. We drove along the coast as much as possible and had a lunch stop in Santa Cruz. Here are Liam and Miles along the way. The breeze was cool in northern California – super sunny out but chilly air.
We walked along the wharf and had lunch there in Santa Cruz.
Point Lobos is a state natural reserve in the northern part of Big Sur. To back up a bit, Big Sur is a large region along the coast that is noted for mountains running right down to the ocean, with Route 1 somehow carved right out of the mountains. It is all so beautiful one starts to feel a bit of amazing vista overload. We did a big loop walking through Point Lobos and saw some amazing and jagged coastline there.
We also saw a lichen very specific to the region called Lace Lichen. It looks a lot like Spanish Moss but is a totally different plant! Spanish Moss is very common in the trees in the American south and Queensland, Australia. This lace lichen is so beautiful, in the spot below it looks like an art installation of little green cloths.
After leaving Point Lobos we went on a scenic drive on the way to Monterey and did a bit more looking around.
And found California’s answer to the high rock between Portmarnock and Malahide!
And sorry to be a bit out of order here, but here are some more images of the intriguing lace lichen, other mosses and plant life, and the stunning coastal views.
Big shout out to Lonely Planet for lots of guidance on the trip.
I’ll try to look out for some lace lichen when we’re in Queensland later this month! That’s a cool tree miles is in and some lonely coastline.
The lace lichen is interesting. Such a beautiful place!