USA Road Trip - Monterey to Cambria

Day 8- Heading South to Carmel and the Big Sur
Who is looking at who? Elephant stare
This was the best day in the car of the entire trip and perhaps we should have allocated an extra day to this stretch of seaside. We hit the Coast and made our way onto 17 mile drive. There was a 10 Dollar toll to pay but it was worth it. We stopped for coffee at Pebble Beach. It is a Public Course, anyone can play. Well if you have 500 Dollars in your pocket you can. We made do with a look at the practice putting green, that was free. Carmel by the sea beckoned. We did the Tourist thing, a wander on the beach and then a nose around the shops. It was still a bit misty and cool but we enjoyed our time in this very pleasant town.
Our aim was to have Lunch at the Mission Ranch, owned by Clint Eastwood a former Mayor of Carmel. We found it OK but they were only serving Dinner.
Must have a word next time I see him, Go on Clint, Make my Day - open for Lunch (please)!
Tee in the rocks
Tea for two at Pebble Beach

On course
Carmel Beach
Keen Shopper in Carmel
Mission Ranch
Mission Ranch
Their Reception recommended The Hyatt Carmel Highlands so off we toddled.
Lunchtime vista
Great views of the Ocean, even with low cloud, and a nice Lunch with great service. They only have Valet parking by the Hyatt but a kind Lady at a hotel up the road let us park free over lunchtime.

Onward and downward along Highway One. It is a fairly leisurely drive, Americans going South towards LA are somewhere else, on one of the fast track options. It was a stop and start journey as we took in the scenery from the various viewpoints.
Looking back in the mist to Bixby Bridge
Nepenthe Restaurant - Coffee Break
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
an 80ft waterfall hits the beach
A stop at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park was recommended to us. We duly stopped and paid our 10 Dollars. Some bounders parked by the road and avoided the fee. Some foreign tourists ignored the signs that the beach was out-of bounds and were give a citation by the Park Rangers. There were also wiped down as the local vegetation includes poison oak an innocuous looking plant that can cause very nasty allergic reactions.  We had a good chat with one of the Rangers and he told us that some indigenous people are immune. He also told us that the whale we saw off-shore was a Humpback. 
TW takes in the view at JPBSB
Poison Oak
Piedras Blancas Beach
The Elephant Seals are a sight to see. They were nearly hunted to extinction but were saved when we humans found other sources of oil. They first turned up here in the 90's and now about 17,000 call this beach home. Happily not all were on the sand for our visit, they are very, very smelly! Next stop the Bluebird Inn, our excellent Motel. Dinner at Robins Restaurant was lovely.
The sun goes down on a great day

Where we stayed http://www.bluebirdinncambria.com/  Cambria

                                           .

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