Hearst Castle and Loads of Elephant Seals

Today we visited Hearst Castle near San Simeon. It was built by Newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst who hired San Francisco architect Julia Morgan to build a hilltop house. Their collaboration on the house lasted from 1919 to 1947. Morgan designed this Mediterranean Revival Estate and filled it with art and antiques from Hearst's vast collection. It is now run by California State Parks.

One of the guest cottages which have bedrooms and sitting rooms but no kitchens as guests were expected to dine in the main building.

The Gardens

The Dining Room

The Main entrance

On the Terrace

Another Cottage and Courtyard

A gold statue in the garden of one of the guest cottages

More Statues

Another Guest Cottage

The empty swimming pool which was losing 5000 gallons a day and is now under repair.
It will take two years to complete.

The Tennis Courts which are actually the roof of the Roman Baths

And these are the Roman Baths under the Tennis Courts

After 4 hours at Hearst castle we visited a beach near San Simeon where
thousands of Elephant Seals arrive every winter.

One of the many groups of these seals along a 6 mile stretch of beach

A flock of Pelicans fly over

And finally three naked ladies beside the pool at Hearst Castle.
It has been a wonderful day with warm sunshine and the Castle is fantastic although not as nice as many of our Castles back in the UK.

Pacific Highway and a 17 Mile Drive

Day 3 of our Pacific Coast Adventure and from Monterey we headed south on Highway 1 but just for a few miles where we hit 17 Mile Drive which is a wonderful 17 mile long tourist route near Pebble Beach. This is where Langholm's Graham Davidson played in the US Open a few years ago. This is Spanish Bay where Don Gaspar de Fortola the Spanish Explorer camped in 1769 while looking for Monterey Bay.

Further down the coast is this superb beach with a 90ft waterfall flowing onto it.

Viewing Bixley Bridge

This area has several Golf Courses and they all seem to have loads of Deer on them although I bet Pebble Beach just a couple of miles from here wont allow them on its course.

And by the shore there are loads of these Ground Squirrels which are so tame they just sit and pose and hope you will feed them.

This is Bixley Bridge built in 1932

There are so many places to stop on Highway 1 so you have to be selective but we thought this one called The Lone Cyprus was worth stopping for.

This cove had a load of Harbour Seals sun bathing on the sand.
This 90 mile drive from Monterey to San Simeon where we are staying for 2 nights plus the 17 Mile Drive at the start must be one of the most spectacular drives in the world and we loved every minute of it.

Sea Otters Everywhere

Today we visited the superb Monterey Aquarium where the star attraction is the Sea Otters. This one was feeding from a big ball with food inside and it had to work hard to get the food out through the holes in the ball. 

They were made to work for their food.

This is a shoal of 10,000 Sardines

The Aquarium is built virtually on the sea shore and this is low tide in the natural area.

The harbour just half a mile along the shore from the Aquarium

And it was next to the Pier where we had the best view of Sea Otters today as we caught a glimpse of this one with its cub just before it disappeared under the pier.

The owner of this boat wont be too happy it was taken over by Sea Lions 

And yet another wild Sea Otter feeding on a Clam

A Huge Cactus growing in the garden of the Old Customs House

Loads of Boats

The Pier with our Sea Otter and its Cub somewhere underneath it.

Three State Parks and a Concrete Ship

Day 1 of our Pacific Coast Adventure and we headed down Highway 1 to Monterey with the first stop at Felton Covered Bridge. Built in 1892 and closed to traffic after storms damaged it in 1982. 

Our second stop was Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and a visit to the Giant Redwoods that California is famous for.

The next stop was Natural Bridges State Park and a walk along the beach to view this archway

The third State park was to visit this famous wreck the SS Paulo Alto built with concrete due to the shortage of steel and commissioned in 1919 but just too late for active service.

North Beach

Lovely beaches on either side of where the old shipwreck is marooned next to the shore.

How did it ever float?

For many years the ship was used as a casino but it has gradually deteriorated and is now closed off to the public and has become a refuge for birds and seals.
Ended the day with a Fish & Chip meal in a Monterey Pub and were served by a Lady from Glasgow who still has the broadest Glasgow accent after being in California for 18 years.
Tomorrow we visit the Monterey Aquarium in the morning and perhaps maybe 17 mile drive in the afternoon which is a beautiful scenic route.

Campbell Farmers Market and a Hill Climb

For the second Sunday on the trot we visited Campbell Farmers Market but this time Carlo and Sidne joined us from Utah as they have arrived to take us along the Pacific Coast next week.The market is just fantastic and the above photograph of Oranges is very appropriate as this seems to be the peak of the Season for them. Each stall has loads of tasters so you are spoilt for choice.

Strawberries everywhere.

Daffodils by the bucket all grown locally

The family enjoying the Market

Eleanor loves her cheese and has a taste of one

A bag of popcorn keeps kids happy for the rest of the morning

After the Market we headed to the park for a walk and a chance to take some family photographs.

Leslie's parents Sidne and Carlo with the family

The Graham Clan with Tommy keeping a low profile.

Tommy still hiding.

Grandparents and Grandchildren

After lunch we headed to Freemont to climb a steep hill and a great view over the valley. Considering it is only six months since Gaye finished her Chemotherapy she is doing really well and had the energy to climb this hill. I am very proud of her.

Eleanor among the Californian Poppies

The San Jose Valley

An excellent 2 mile walk climbing to over 1000ft. The weather was perfect with the temperature about 65F and a total of 5 miles completed for the day.