Larger than Life

After parting ways with Steve and Alyssa, it was another drive north for us, to Cambria, CA, just outside of San Simeon where the Hearst Castle is.  

We got to Cambria fairly late in the evening, and since we weren't familiar with the area, were taken slightly aback with our accommodations, which was a small roadside motel.  Thankfully, we were assured by a friendly Cambrian, that 'things would look completely different in the morning' and that the town was, 'totally safe and mellow', and that if we went to the French Bakery we'd be, 'totally stoked.' 

We took his word for it.

The faces of 'totally stoked'

How about a better look at that lovely!

On Day 5, and in Cambria, we did some poking around, breakfast with the locals, shopping, and then it was on to the Hearst. Dad had gone to the castle as a young boy and I had heard some positive remarks regarding it, which is how it got on the stop and see list.  Boy oh boy are we glad!  

William Randolph Hearst both inherited a fortune and was a self made millionaire living during the gilded age.  The land on which he built the castle was land tucked in the mountains of California his family owned that he had spent many days visiting as a boy.  His 90,000+ square foot house, 3 guest houses, and recreation areas were intended to look much like a small Italian village with a plaza in the middle.  He was a collector, and the homes and grounds are full of ancient artifacts and architectural pieces. The home and grounds are now historical monuments owned by the California State Parks.

Standing in the same spot, I took these pictures; mountain and ocean views.

The main house

Indoor pool with 18k gold leafed tiles.

Outdoor Neptune Pool.  Those aren't replicas of Roman columns, those are actual.

Marble pool ladder and probably the oldest mustard and ketchup bottles in the country, the foodie in me loved that of course!

We were far more impressed with the grounds than the interior which was mostly dark wood and heavy fabrics and tapestries. We loved the hydrangeas and other beautiful plants in the gardens.

In the shadowy bottom left, there's an ancient Egyptian statue dating back to 400!

After leaving the Hearst ranch, we hopped on Hwy 1 for a cruise up the coast. I dont think I've ever experienced a drive like that! It wasn't just a way to get from here to there, it was a site in itself! One turn was beautiful mountain vistas, and the next was breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean!

Big Sur Coast

The Hwy 1 drive left us in Monterey Bay for the evening, where we came to the conclusion, that the cheaper the hotel, the more folds you'll find in your toiletries.

What's your rating? This is just the kleenex!

Day 6 we woke up in Monterey and drove through the growing fields of California, which again geeked my foodie heart! Del Monte fields! I kept hoping that they would just post signs so I could at least know what was growing! All of this was on the way to San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the giant Redwoods of John Muir Woods.

When you're used to the Mighty Mac, the GG is a little underwhelming, but still beautiful!

Giant Redwoods! So tall!!! They're actually in the same family as a the Giant Sequoias. Those grow wide, these grow TALL!

We had dinner on the north side of the bay in Sausalito, here's a view of San Fran from there

That night we stayed in Hotel Durant in Berkley, CA practically on the campus of the university! the hotel had a ton of history and was styled in a very 1920's preppy way. Our room was on the third floor and had no screens, cause there are no bugs! 

A perfect place to rest up for days 7 and 8 exploring San Fran!