Cayucos, California Coast Road heading North

The views were interesting, though obstructed due to the heavy cloud cover as a result of "The fires". We never saw the sun once we left Palm Springs area for any period of time. Several times here on my blog, I've poked fun at the lack of sun--in sunny California AND how I needed to return to Ohio to see the sun and get warm again. These pictures will bare that out.



Steep, rugid coast line as one heads north up the coast road. The water wasn't pretty blue, nor was the sky. People weren't swimming or walking the shore line. Nothing about this coast line resembles the sandy beaches so well known on the other coast. Though interesting, it was not what I expected; and I was a bit disappointed. I had heard many times about how beautiful the California coast was. Much of the time while travel the coast road, you don't even see the water. That was really disappointing. There were pull offs from time to time where you had these views that I imagine might be breathtaking under other circumstances.



The Pier was all but deserted. Only a few souls in the water or on the beach. Not really even any fisherman to speak of. The pier at Cayucos is 130 foot wide and 800 foot long. No doubt it's normally quite a gathering place.



Schooners Wharf is where we stopped for a late lunch. We had to get off the coast road to find this rather then being right on the coast road as we expected. It's old, pretty run down and has a pretty limited menu. The wind was really something the day we were there, with lots of folks crowded inside for protection. We got a table outside so we could see; but were glad of the wind block. This resturant has a webpage and quite a variety of reviews. It's considered to be the best around by some and not even close by others. Didn't notice any middle ground reviews. The food was normal bar food from our perspective, nothing to rave about; though we had a good time there as we planned the next part of our journey. It's probably not what I would classify as a family place, nor a place I would recommend as a must stop location.


HAZE...the winds were blowing in the smoke from "The Fires", though we didn't smell smoke at this point.

*previous post The Seals, check it out if you missed it.
**During the boring part of the drive when we weren't really seeing the water, coast etc. I was knitted and crocheting for The Bridge Project

California Elephant Seals- Barking, Snarling, Arguing, Lumbering, and Snuggling

Traveling north up the California coast line in our rented car, after a wonderful night in Santa Barbara; we stopped to visit the seals. Zalophus Califorianus, California Elephant Seals. Fascinating to watch.

Barking Seals. You should have heard the noise. We heard it from the highway. Really sounded like a bunch of dogs.





Snarling Seals, were really not happy with each other. No clue what the problem was.







Arguing seals. They seemed pretty aggressive. I was glad to be good distance away.





Lumbering Seals, coming ashore. They moved pretty slowly, so much weight to move around. It was a move stop, move again situation. Getting in from the water really took time.



Snuggling and molting seals. They were laying all over each other. Suppose for the warmth, but given their weight I was surprised to see them stacked on top of each other. The molting made them all appear different colors, almost spotted in some cases.

California Seals really aren't true seals. Zalophus Califorianus are intelligent circus type seals. These seals are highly trainable. The navy trains seals, you see seals at the circus performing tricks, you know with the balls on their noises. They weight up to 660 pounds and can be 8 foot long if male, lighter and shorter if female.

**if you missed the previous post about traveling with children, it's not to late, it's still here.
for those who like to know whats up next...scenery still on the coast road check back