Big Sur

Big Sur is one of those places that will never cease to awe and inspire me. The massive cliffs that plunge into the rough blue sea. The air laden with the scent of ocean salt and chaparral herbs. The sunlight streaming through the misty fog. Sea birds calling and sea lions barking. It's a magical place.

At the northernmost tip of Big Sur is Garrapata State Park- the perfect spot to pull off and take in a stunning view of the Pacific Coast. Here I climbed up the impossibly steep Rocky Ridge Trail and watched the sun rise over the ridge.

Garrapata State Park, by Virginia Mae Rollison

Garrapata State Park, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Garrapata State Park, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Garrapata State Park, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Garrapata State Park, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Garrapata State Park, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Garrapata State Park, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Garrapata State Park, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Garrapata State Park, by Virginia Mae Rollison

My second favorite stop on the road through Big Sur is Point Lobos. The trails are leisurely and the coastal views do not disappoint. Seals, sea lions, and otters play in the kelp beds in the protected coves.

Point Lobos, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Point Lobos, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Point Lobos, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Point Lobos, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Point Lobos, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Point Lobos, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Point Lobos, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Point Lobos, by Virginia Mae Rollison

Next I continued down Highway 1 to Bixby Creek Bridge, McWay Falls and ended at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park for a quick hike in the redwood canyon. On the way back north I settled at Garrapata Beach for a sunset among the lilies.

Big Sur, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Big Sur, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Bixby Creek Bridge, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Big Sur, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Bixby Creek Bridge, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Bixby Creek Bridge, by Virginia Mae Rollison
McWay Falls, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Garrapata State Park, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Garrapata Beach, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Garrapata Beach, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Garrapata Beach, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Garrapata Beach, by Virginia Mae Rollison
Garrapata Beach, by Virginia Mae Rollison