California road trip April 25

Took a solo road trip up to the Bay Area through some beautiful country!

Saturday, 26 April

Pinnacles National Park

Just did a quick hike since it was pouring rain!
Caught some beautiful wildflowers!

Fremont Peak State Park

I went for a Star party at the observatory. Started out clear…
But alas, it didn’t last and the event got cancelled 😥
But I did the short hike to the top and that was so worth it! Beautiful!
My itty bitty car below 💚
It was a cold, rainy, foggy, vaguely creepy night in a mostly empty campground 😁

Sunday, 27 April

Drove down the mountain early for a day of beach and state park hopping

Manresa state beach
Beautiful beach flowers
Went to church in Watsonville and then hit the Forest of Nisene Marks
Stunning!
I just love these huge trees so much!
Great poem 😊
This was carved into some wood. Glanced and thought it said Rory and not Froy. Immediately sent it to Ada and Rory…loved it!
Seacliff state beach has a replica of the sunk ship in the gift shop
The old cement shop in the distance
New Brighton State Beach
Crazy cool shell conglomerate
Twin Lakes State Beach
Lighthouse Field State Beach
So cool!
So many wildflowers in bloom!
Natural Bridges State Beach
The coolest grove of trees next to the beach!
It was so sunny!!
Wilder Ranch State Historic Park
Waddell Beach: part of Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Año Nuevo State Park
Butano State Park
My favorite combo…redwoods and beaches right next to each other
Pescadero State Beach
Beautiful peaceful beach
San Gregorio State Beach
The beach was COVERED with driftwood
Watched the sunset at Half Moon Bay State Beach
Pacifica State Beach
Last one before turning inland and driving into deep redwood territory

Monday, 28 April

Drove a crazy windy long way and got to Big Basin Redwoods quite late. Slept in my car in the parking lot. This is what I woke up to!
So much fire damage from the fire a few years ago
But also so much new growth! Life carries on!
Drove less than an hour to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
And no fire damage in sight!
Such a stunning park!
Big trees haha
Love this one little white flower sticking up from a field of clover
On the way home I hit Soda Lake at Carrizzo Plain National Monument
Crazy dry place…quite a change from that morning
Last stop Tule Elk State Natural Reserve
Saw a few from a distance