I lived in so. Cal for 13 years and taking the coastal route was always nice, especially this time of the year as it gets hotter in the valley and foothills of California. Cambria is a great little town, and you would have liked seeing Hearst Castle.

If you come out again take some time to cut across the state and visit Yosemite. Do the normal valley floor tour but also be sure to go way down the Tioga Rd. (hwy. 120) to view California's largest alpine meadow.

 

I'm driving down to see all those things in your pictures after the Miatas at MRLS meet in September. BTW, Driscoll strawberries from Watsonville are the best. And yes, we are the dirty sock of Oregon, although there are a lot of grungy dirty sock wearers up there. You'd think their state flag would be tie dye.

 

Should have stopped by...