The desire for sunshine fuels motivation for those of us Northwest folk who feel dampened by the cold and clouds. While Orcas Island has been home for our family since 2012 when we moved here from California’s coastal perma-sun, Santa Barbara, Cambria, and several other towns dotting the Central Coast up to the Big Sur Highway will still always feel like home away from home.
This is one of those instances in which you, too, may need a blast of sunshine and a boost from perusing a fellow islander’s vacation experiences. That’s what happened to me in early December when I saw a friend’s photos of her family standing on a sunny beach near Santa Cruz. I knew that while we were able, we too needed to make a trip to the sun, the surf, and the beach. Lots of difficulty has come our way in the past years, and I felt the pull to make this happen. As a neighbor of ours once pointed out, you need to do things when you are able. There will be times when you cannot and you will regret the things you could have done but didn’t.
May something in this post bring you enjoyment and inspiration of your own…
Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara – a rare day of cloudiness welcomed us to the areaEating out in the open air on the wharf in shorts and a sweatshirt – no winter jacket neededHibiscus everywhereFirst night: Beach Hostel on State StreetWe all arrived having slept way too little from traveling the night before. These little nooks felt great – like little personal wombs. Just about all anyone really needs – a small, cozy space curtained off from the rest of the world.The SB Harbor – our old stomping groundsFresh sea urchin (this plate is not mine, but interesting for a photo)I pushed the double jogger past here every single day when the boys were littleStill wearing shorts…A walk on the breakwater was part of our daily lives back thenThe famous Jeannine’s Bakery was part of my husband’s daily coffee-before-bicycling routine for decadesI miss surf culture and the tropical scent of surf wax in the airMy husband’s father’s board is hanging somewhere in this store (The Beach House near the wharf)Miles of endless beach to walk at low tideHeading north, visiting Solvang and its picturesque oak-dotted mountains Winter in my husband’s brother’s wine grape vineyard, Casa GiallaProtected applesThe Danish-inspired village of Solvang (make sure to try an aebleskiver)My Mom’s favorite breakfast place in the world – Paula’s Pancake HouseWaking up to Cambria Pines by the SeaThe boardwalk on Moonstone Beach – I’ve been on these stunning bluffs thousands of times growing upThe place of our first picnic when I moved to Cambria with my parents at the age of 11My dad and I walked this beach looking for moonstones, agates, and poppy jaspers every Saturday morning with the dog. My mom, son, and I buried my dad’s ashes right down there in the sand almost 20 years ago.The bluffs end abruptly at the seaCozy, beautiful hotels line Moonstone BeachReflection in a photograph of the ocean crashing on rocksThis was basically my backyard in middle and high schoolThe elephant seals north of Cambria and San SimeonThe snuggling ladiesHeading up toward the Big Sur coastRagged Point, a small resort and switchback trail down to the oceanA condor soared right over us – January 1, 2025 – never seen one up close in my life until that moment. I’m so glad Evan got this photo.The Big Sur Highway ends here for now, just past Gorda and Lucia – too many rock slides and repairsThe turnaroundWalking down to Sand Dollar BeachBalancing pieces of soft, green stone pulled from the bottom of the bluff behind himThis breaks off easily with the help of a hard rock – any thoughts on what it is?(These past 3 photos were taken by our older son, Evan)A new morning, walking The Cove beach in San SimeonLinn’s Restaurant – home of the famous olallieberry pie (Aaron Linn loves bicycling)All kinds of fascinating homes in CambriaFiscalini Ranch, a breathtaking protected piece of land between Cambria neighborhoodsNow 20 minutes south to the little surf town of CayucosThe view from the pierThese places are facing the oceanThe other side of the buildings facing the ocean is the main drag in townThe architectural elements make it look more like an Old West townClassic hole in the wall – nice that everything isn’t fancy yetFor such a small town, there is plenty of antiquing to doMonterey cypress trees dot the landscape hereThe beach walk from Cayucos to Morro Bay is 5 miles – something I’d still like to do somedayThere are beach access stairs all along the street above the bluffMy favorite little house along the street facing the oceanA cool motel on the main dragMore antiquesYou’ll find skimboards and surfboards alongside tea sets and cowboy bootsThe main dragAh, when 805 was our area code…You can’t go to Cayucos without going to the Sea Shanty, known for its desserts since I was a kidThe massive slices of ice cream pie have been a thing here for decadesAnother beach accessSmart…a tiny donut house right on the beachSee the surfer on the wave? What a view!The best homemade jelly donut I’ve ever tasted – dangerous!Another smart hole in the wall on the beachThe peaceful, beautiful little airport – a 2.5-hour flight back to SeattleUntil next time…
Nostalgic memories. Spent 4 years in Santa Barbara at Westmont College. Definitely some real estate in my heart, but not as large as that of OI. Thanks for the pictures!
Thanks as always — We live on Orcas “summers” (Anchor Rock Ln since 2014) — in Santa Barbara the rest since 1978. I’ve been enjoying your columns since the beginning. I remember it was fun to read from you who the guy running all around Eastsound shirtless was. I take pics most days with my iPhone (north as far as the elephant seal beach, south to Ojai or so as we move around in Nature…20,000+ since retiring in ‘07)
Nostalgic memories. Spent 4 years in Santa Barbara at Westmont College. Definitely some real estate in my heart, but not as large as that of OI. Thanks for the pictures!
Beautiful pictures!!! Glad you had such a wonderful sunny and warm visit!! Miss you!
Thanks as always — We live on Orcas “summers” (Anchor Rock Ln since 2014) — in Santa Barbara the rest since 1978. I’ve been enjoying your columns since the beginning. I remember it was fun to read from you who the guy running all around Eastsound shirtless was. I take pics most days with my iPhone (north as far as the elephant seal beach, south to Ojai or so as we move around in Nature…20,000+ since retiring in ‘07)