14 Weeks: Vacation (Part 1)- Pismo Beach

As I'm writing this I am almost 15 weeks pregnant (tomorrow)!  Lloyd and I took some much needed time away and went on a road trip up the California Central Coast this past week.  We spent two nights in Pismo Beach, two nights in Monterey, and came home for one night before going to Palm Springs for one night.  We had such a wonderful time in each place- exploring, site-seeing, and eating some great food!  We even found some places we want to see next time (with our kiddos) and some places we would definitely do all over again!

Day 1 (Father's Day)

We left on Sunday morning and made the drive to Pismo Beach.  It took about 4 1/2 hours and was a beautiful drive.  We got there a little early so we ventured downtown and decided to try out Splash Cafe.  Splash Cafe is known for their delicious clam chowder and is a very popular place for both locals and tourists.  We arrived and waited in a very long line but it was well worth every minute of the wait as the clam chowder bread bowl was delicious!!!

After leaving Splash Cafe, we went to check-in to our hotel (Oxford Suites).  We were a little early and had to wait so we decided to go to the Trader Joe's we saw on our way into town to get some brewskies (for Lloyd, not me!).  We quickly got the call that our room was ready and headed back to unload our stuff before heading back downtown.

Later that night we went to Pismo Brewing Company so Lloyd could try out their IPA and Pale Ale.  Both were great beers and very reasonably priced ($4 per pint, although normally $5.  They were giving a discount to dad's for Father's Day!).  This place was also very kid friendly and had a table for playing games and offered root beer floats for the kiddos. 

After leaving Pismo Brewing Company we checked out the rest of downtown, including the Salt Water Taffy market (which also had tasty looking caramel apples) and the pier!  We took the chilly and windy walk along the pier before stopping to get some frozen yogurt at a place downtown.  It was okay...typical frozen yogurt but a little overpriced.

We then headed back to our hotel to enjoy their complementary snacks and happy hour.  Snacks included tortilla soup, salad, and chips and salsa.  Happy hour including two free draft beers for Lloyd and a Shirley Temple for myself!  I highly recommend this hotel for their very customer service friendly atmosphere (happy hour and free buffet breakfast)!

Day 2




Cave Landing Beach

Monday started with the hotel buffet and it was awesome!  Eggs with potatoes, pancakes, oatmeal, cereal with yogurt, bananas and apples (we took these back to the room for later), and coffee!  Great way to start the day!



Me at Pirates Cave

This day we also ventured on a beautiful hike which was recommended to us by my brother and his fiance (Diana's parents have a house in Pismo Beach).  Pirate's Cave and Cove Landing is definitely a must see and we were very thankful for the beautiful scenery and lack of people along the way! 


Hiking Trail

The hike starts near a residential community and travels along a walker/biker friendly path before heading to the actual trailhead.  The weather was absolutely perfect and we took our time, taking in the beauty of the coast and nice weather.  About 1.5 miles from the start and we were at the split- going right led us to Pirates Cave and left led us to Cave Landing.

Sea lion/otter

Cave Landing was a gorgeous, nearly secluded beach that was surrounded by sea lions/otters.  We walked to the end of the beach and rested a little while before putting our feet in the water.  It was surprisingly not too cold!

Sea lions/otters hanging out!

After our hike we went back to the hotel to shower and change clothes before heading to Ventana Grill for a late lunch/early dinner.  This place was one of the best of our trip!  It had a spectacular panoramic ocean view, great service, and the food was tasty and well-portioned.  We shared a chopped salad, I had a steak sandwich with fries, Lloyd had a monstrous burrito, and then we shared mud pie for desert!  Including a couple of draft beers and we were out the door around $75.

On our way back to the hotel we stopped off at the Outlet Shopping Center, hoping to find Lloyd a new hat.  We enjoyed our little shopping adventure which also included stopping in Carter's and marveling at all the cute baby clothes we can look forward to buying when we find out whether or not little peanut is a boy or a girl!

Later that night we did happy hour again before heading back to the room and resting for the remainder of the evening!

Day 3

Big Sur Coast

Tuesday also started off with the hotel buffet.  Breakfast included eggs, hashbrowns, waffles, cereal with yogurt, fresh fruit, and coffee.

Monarch Butterfly Grove

We also wanted to check out the Monarch Butterfly Grove so we took a nice walk after breakfast to the grove.  Sadly though we learned that the butterflies do not migrate down until around October so there weren't any present when we were there.  We will need to check this out if we are ever back in Pismo Beach during the late fall/early winter (the butterflies come down from Canada to avoid the cold winters).

Big Sur, Highway 1

We left Pismo Beach around 11:00 am and started the very scenic drive on Highway 1 up to Monterey!  I have done this drive several times and it never ceases to amaze me!  Every time I get inspired to ride my bike from San Francisco to home because it would be absolutely beautiful!

Me at Pfeifer Falls

We stopped a few times in Big Sur to take some pictures.  The highlights were stopping at Julia Pfeiffer State Park (amazing waterfall hike!) and at the general store in north Big Sur that has a burrito bar and a nice, relaxing river behind the store to enjoy a little picnic lunch.  I had seen this place about 5 years ago when road tripping with my friend and commented on how Lloyd would really like this place.  I'm glad we were able to find it and enjoy the atmosphere together...it was well worth turning back for (we originally passed it) and Lloyd having yet another burrito!
 


One of my favorite places- Julia Pfeffer State Park