Southwest USA & The West Coast (California, Arizona etc) - General Thread

Murphy_The_Cat

jackieblack wrote: »

Did they see the elephant seals on the beach at/around Cambria?
That was one of the highlights for my DD

nope, all they saw was the little pixies running around their eyelids as they snored there way along the PCH.
Although I do have a fond memory of good coffee and cake that was bought in Cambria - does that count

Dirk_Gently_2

joaniemerc wrote: »

Thanks for this helpful post.

We are planning this trip/drive (via Yosemite) but not until next year.

Can you remember, by any chance, the name of the log cabins you stayed in at Big Sur please?

Indeed I can - it was the Big Sur River Inn http://bigsurriverinn.com/

These are right on Highway 1, though, so may not strictly be "log cabins." If you want peace and tranquilly deep in the woods they're not for you - there are some like that closer to the beach, but we wanted to be just a stroll away from the Inn and restaurant, where the food was outstanding, there was a great atmosphere, and in the morning we could breakfast with our feet literally dangling in the River.

So I'd say much better as a base for Big Sur rather than a "back to nature" type of log cabin.

EDIT : Looking at the website again it looks like they might have gone a bit up-market since I was there. Not sure what prices will be like now.

Dirk_Gently_2

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

curveball back at ya :beer:

Travelling Nortbound is a breeze -- the road aren't narrow at all, & there are plenty of pullin/look out points.

Its a wonderful drive and I was really looking forwards to it. My wife and two children promptly fell asleep after we passed Hearst Castle and missed the lot !

The first time I did the drive was absolutely astounding. There was a sea fog about 50 or so feet high about level with the cliffs tops, so you couldn't see the sea at all, just the top of the fog which you were slightly above. then when the road dove dipped down to cross a river or similar you were deep in the fog, and then climbed out again to be in bright sunshine above it. Utterly incredible and so, so, surreal.

In my book, that stretch of has got to be *the* best road in the world.

Murphy_The_Cat

Dirk_Gently wrote: »

In my book, that stretch of has got to be *the* best road in the world.

& if you ever fancy another 'best' trip -- the train ride from SLO to Santa Bub is rather special as well.

Dirk_Gently_2

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

& if you ever fancy another 'best' trip -- the train ride from SLO to Santa Bub is rather special as well.

Don't get me started on trains... one day, one day.....

It was nearly this year, when I looked very closely at going from Chicago to Salt Lake City on the California Zephyr. But my opinion of 36 hours on a train and my wife's don't exactly match on this, so we're going by plane.

But, as I say, one day, one day..... but I may have to go alone (or change the wife) for that day to come.

Murphy_The_Cat

Dirk_Gently wrote: »

Don't get me started on trains... one day, one day.....

It was nearly this year, when I looked very closely at going from Chicago to Salt Lake City on the California Zephyr. But my opinion of 36 hours on a train and my wife's don't exactly match on this, so we're going by plane.

But, as I say, one day, one day..... but I may have to go alone (or change the wife) for that day to come.

you're right, Amtrak isn't exactly quick !

I'll be taking a trip along the Big Sur by by train in July, either from SLO to SBA or from SLO to Salines.
Sadly, we couldn't get a train trip to/from SLC, or Bakersfield that fits into our plans.

Dirk_Gently_2

Her real problem was the thought of sharing a toilet/bathroom with everyone else on the carriage for a journey of 36 hours.

And the cost of the accommodation that did have private shower & toilet - the "Superliner Bedroom" - was quite phenomenal - about $1300 for the pair of us!

The experience would be great - and as a way to see places I might never otherwise see, like Indiana and Nebraska, it'd be superb - but not at that price.

joaniemerc

Dirk_Gently wrote: »

Indeed I can - it was the Big Sur River Inn http://bigsurriverinn.com/

These are right on Highway 1, though, so may not strictly be "log cabins." If you want peace and tranquilly deep in the woods they're not for you - there are some like that closer to the beach, but we wanted to be just a stroll away from the Inn and restaurant, where the food was outstanding, there was a great atmosphere, and in the morning we could breakfast with our feet literally dangling in the River.

So I'd say much better as a base for Big Sur rather than a "back to nature" type of log cabin.

EDIT : Looking at the website again it looks like they might have gone a bit up-market since I was there. Not sure what prices will be like now.

Thanks so much - sounds right up our street!

jackieblack

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

nope, all they saw was the little pixies running around their eyelids as they snored there way along the PCH.

What a shame... maybe next time
http://www.elephantseal.org/Rookery/where.htm

Murphy_The_Cat wrote: »

Although I do have a fond memory of good coffee and cake that was bought in Cambria - does that count

Murphy_The_Cat

jackieblack wrote: »

What a shame... maybe next time
http://www.elephantseal.org/Rookery/where.htm

We're within a few miles of there in July -- maybe we'll buy some more cake from Cambria and mossie along there !