This morning we started on the famous Highway 1 down the Californian Coast. Sections of the highway had been closed off for 1,5 years because of a landslide. The road was shut for about 12 miles between Ragged Point and Gorda, California, about 70 miles south of Monterey. It only reopened a few weeks before our trip brought us to this area. We were incredibly lucky!

As it took us a while to get out of San Francisco and by the time we had reached the coast the fog had lifted providing us with stunning views of the ocean.

At Monterey we decided to take a small detour and drove into the “17 Mile Drive” at Pebble Beach. Our visit at the park was well timed as during this week the annual Monterey Car Week took place here showing off modern show cars as well as vintage cars. So as we stood by the beach all these Ferraris, Maseratis, Bugattis and Maclarens zipped by.

We exited the park at Carmel by the Sea. While the houses at Pebble Beach were showing off wealth Carmel was by far the more beautiful town in my eyes. Lovingly designed family homes lined the streets giving the feel of a community you want to live in.

Our stop for the night was San Simeon. Hearst Castle is located here but we had not booked tickets in advance and decided that visiting someone’s former home was not worth the high entrance fees they were asking for it. We decided to spend time on the beach instead and were rewarded with the sight of two dolphins passing along the shore.

For lunch we went to Cambria, which is the next town down Highway 1. It’s main street has plenty of gift and antique shops right next to nice little cafes and restaurants. In one of the antique shop a couple had set up their stall selling the most exquisite antique diamond rings. I kept swooning over them. One was more beautiful than the next! The lovely owner of the shop taught me quite a bit about the different cuts and colors used. Unfortunately my family got restless (and I guess Hubby was getting worried about me asking for his credit card) so we left to head back to the hotel.