Tag Archives: Central Coast California
Small Towns: Harmony In Central Coast California
Today, the town is a vibrant artist’s haven. Wander through the glassworks shop to find handblown pieces created right before your eyes or watch sculptors hard at work behind the potter’s wheel. Its quirky art and funky facades are a magnet for wander lusters. Check out Harmony’s famous chapel, part-time post office and gardens — all of which have become hotspots for weddings, picnics, and photo ops.
This little town continues to grow in reputation. Take a short detour off Pacific Coast Highway and stop in to see all the enchanting renovations underway. You’ll find peaceful Harmony nestled between San Simeon’s Hearst Castle and Paso Robles‘ world-renowned wine region. Just keep your eyes peeled for the iconic population 18 sign.
Travel Guide: 7 Things To Do In Big Sur, California
Big Sur is a rugged stretch of California’s central coast between Carmel and San Simeon. Bordered to the east by the Santa Lucia Mountains and the west by the Pacific Ocean, it’s traversed by narrow, 2-lane State Route 1, known for winding turns, seaside cliffs and views of the often-misty coastline. The sparsely populated region has numerous state parks for hiking, camping and beachcombing. ―
It includes beaches like Sand Dollar Beach, hiking in places like Andrew Molera State Park, places to eat like Nepenthe and the sushi restaurant at Treebones, waterfalls like McWay Falls, and iconic spots like Bixby Bridge. You can see more here: https://www.aladyinlondon.com/2022/06..
Top Hikes: California’s Condor Trail (400 Miles)
The rugged chaparral of California’s Sespe Wilderness lay hidden under the camouflage of mahogany and sage hues. Nearly a week into her thru-hike on the Condor Trail, Brittany Nielsen surveyed this scraggly landscape. She had already faced a downpour, severe flooding, and hypothermia. Now, she leaned against her pack in the spring sun, scanning the thickets and hoping the trail would emerge like a scrub jay.
“I learned a lesson about being calm while being lost on the trail,” Nielsen says. Earlier, behind on miles and low on her food supply, she had searched for the path in a frenzy, only to find herself exhausted. The trail on the side of Sespe Creek was fiercely overgrown in sections and required strong orienteering skills to navigate.
“When I opened my eyes I was looking at the sky,” Nielsen says, “And up above me—I couldn’t believe it—there was a condor.” She noted the telltale band of white feathers in the shape of a scalene triangle that decorated the bird’s nine-foot wingspan. When the condor drifted out of sight, Nielsen dropped her gaze into the chaparral where, directly in front of her, she discovered a small rock cairn that marked the trail.
Over the course of her 37 days on the hike, Nielsen would lose and gain the trail numerous times as she fought through menacing brush and screamed expletives that no one could hear in the most remote pockets of Los Padres National Forest. She would travel through seven wilderness areas, along the shores of central California, past colonies of elephant seals, and across the ancestral lands of the Chumash, Salinan, Esselen, Tataviam, and Costanoan peoples.
SOURCES: BRYAN CONANT; IUCN REDLIST
Unlike California’s well-established John Muir and Pacific Crest Trails, the Condor Trail is a thru-hiking “route,” meaning its course exists—as a continuous thread of trails and roads and cross-country travel—but that it lacks proper signage and maintenance. While these popular thru-hiking routes receive hundreds of hikers a year, Nielsen took on the Condor Trail alone in 2015. When she finished on June 18th, she was the first thru-hiker to complete it.
Travel & Leisure: ‘Santa Barbara, California’
If you’re looking for the perfect vacation well spent, you have come to the right place. Whether you prefer nature walks, sailing, wine tasting, or trying new foods, Santa Barbara is home to a plethora of exciting activities at various price points. So, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! Check out these 6 incredible activities to try on your next trip to Santa Barbara, and start planning your vacation today.
Video timeline: 0:00 Introduction 0:25 Douglas Family Preserve 0:48 Eat This, Shoot That! 1:47 Self Guided Red Tile Walking Tour 2:13 Los Padres Outfitters 3:16 Municipal Winemakers 4:14 Santa Barbara Sailing Center 4:48 Conclusion
Santa Barbara is a city on the central California coast, with the Santa Ynez Mountains as dramatic backdrop. Downtown, Mediterranean-style white stucco buildings with red-tile roofs reflect the city’s Spanish colonial heritage. Upscale boutiques and restaurants offering local wines and seasonal fare line State Street. On a nearby hill, Mission Santa Barbara, founded in 1786, houses Franciscan friars and a museum.
Marine Wildlife: ‘Elephant Seals’ On Beaches In San Simeon, California (Video)
“Sunday Morning” takes us to the beach at San Simeon, Calif., a home for elephant seals. Videographer: Lance Milbrand.
The northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is one of two species of elephant seal (the other is the southern elephant seal). It is a member of the family Phocidae (true seals). Elephant seals derive their name from their great size and from the male’s large proboscis, which is used in making extraordinarily loud roaring noises, especially during the mating competition. Sexual dimorphism in size is great. Correspondingly, the mating system is highly polygynous; a successful male is able to impregnate up to 50 females in one season.
San Simeon is a town and census-designated place on the Pacific coast of San Luis Obispo County, California, United States. Its position along State Route 1 is about halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, each of those cities being roughly 230 miles away.
Boomers Daily 