Escape to Paradise in Big Sur, California

Self-photography @ Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur, California

Was it only nine days ago when I wrote about "A Big Sur Vacation?" Where I was dreaming of looking down at the clouds that kiss the mountains and the sea? Big Sur's haunting came to reality when early morning of Sunday before thanksgiving week, we drove to Big Sur for our much needed escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. We were lost for seven days experiencing Big Sur's natural wonders again. However, time flies so fast when you are having  rest and recreation therapy. Before I knew it, vacation is over.

Big Sur's Coastline

Big Sur is at the edge of Central California coastline, where the mountains plunge into the ocean. Though in between two of California's big cities, Los Angeles and San Francisco, yet Big Sur is mostly remote, mostly wild, and mostly natural place. Big Sur is a long 7-hr drive from San Diego, with shorter daylight this time of the year, we decided to make Morro Bay our stop-over city before entering and after leaving Big Sur.

 Oceano Sand Dunes

When we drove to Morro Bay on Sunday, it was raining, however, we were lucky enough that the rain stopped when we reached Oceano Sand Dunes Natural State Reserve, which is South of Morro Bay. The sand dunes is right next to the Pacific Ocean (top left in the photo collage above) and Oso Flaco Lake (top right in the above photo collage of Oceano Sand Dunes). This sand dune is a lot different from the desert sand dunes we have been since it is in between two bodies of water and also next to a very green farmland. 

Morro Bay, California

This was the first time we have stayed at Morro Bay, since we usually drive directly to Big Sur in our previous Big Sur vacations, however, this time, we decided to break the drive to Big Sur and explore places South of it, such as Oceano Sand Dunes, Morro Bay and Pismo Beach. 

Wild Nature, The  Migration of Monarch Butterfly @ Pismo State Beach (can you count how many are there?)

Monarch butterfly migration occurs between October- February, where there are several places along the coast where you will find butterfly groves. Though I love all our experiences in this trip, but probably my most favorite part is seeing thousands of monarch butterfly clustered like dried leaves on top of trees. They are wintering in the trees to hide from the powerful whipping of frigid Pacific coast wind and also their shelter from rain. 

Driving from Morro Bay to Big Sur, we stopped by Cambria and San Simeon for some sightseeing.

Elephant Seals @ San Simeon, CA

Seeing elephant seals, and other wildlife along the coast is always a sight to behold. When we reached Big Sur, our first hike was at Limekiln State Park.

 Dwarfed by Redwood Trees and a Moss-Covered Tree @ Limekiln State Park, Big Sur, CA

@Limekiln State Park, Big Sur, CA

We spent our nights at Big Sur River Inn, which is nestled amid towering redwoods along the Big Sur River and very close to the places we will be exploring and hiking at Big Sur. 

view from Big Sur River Inn

Among the places we explored aside from Limekiln State Park were Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Pfeiffer Beach, Partington Cove, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve and Pinnacles National Monument. I will write more about them in my later posts. Meanwhile, here are some photos from the places I mentioned. 

McWay Falls @ Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

a cloudy day at Partington Cove

enjoying the purple sand beach @ Pfeiffer Beach

Dusk @ Pfeiffer Beach

Powerful Waves @ Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Calm Waves at China Beach, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

Pinnacles National Monument

Pinnacles National Monument

Before the trip, I had been wishing to see the rare and critically endangered California Condor in the wild. Though I missed capturing a condor in flight ( my camera was still in my backpack when the condor flew above me), but I was lucky enough to spot a condor perched on top of a tree.

California Condor

How I wished I had my zoom lens when I saw this condor, but sadly, I only have my 24-105 mm lens with me thinking that I will not carry such weight of a zoom lens on a steep hike. I had a lot of other birds in flight, but I believe they were most probably turkey vultures, I will share those pictures in my later posts. 

Another one I wished to see in this trip are the sea otters, and we were blessed to see not only one or two sea otters, but a lot of them! 

Fun to Watch Sea Otters (photo by my hubby)

We sure had a fun Big Sur vacation, all my wishes realized ( seeing condor and sea otters in the wild ), with a bonus of experiencing the butterfly migration. 

Fewer but Closer 

So thankful for our fun escape, that my heart still keeps on jumping for joy!

Jumping for Joy 

Now, vacation is over and back to reality, which meant unpacking, doing laundry, grading papers, lesson planning, and blogging, :). Thankfully, reality is as sweet if not sweeter than a vacation, but we all do need an escape once a while. Happy and thankful for that peaceful escape to paradise for 7 days in Big Sur. 

♥♥