March 23, 2022 Stopping at Beaches on our Drive South

We got up before sunrise to hike down to Elwood Beach. We headed out of our neighborhood...

...to Ellwood Mesa in Santa Barbara Shores Park.

Christy is ahead of me as usual because I know how to slow down and enjoy a hike.

I love watching the sun rise over the horizon...

...and light up the path to the beach.

Two old-timers enjoying the sunshine of a new day.

Our first view of the Pacific Ocean today. We plan to stop by several beaches as we drive back to Huntington Beach.

Ellwood Beach is our first stop and we have the beach to ourselves.

I walked south along the shoreline...

....and Christy walked north.

We eventually met back on the bluffs for the hike back to our place...

...through the Coronado Butterfly Preserve.

We packed up the car and headed south. 

We stopped at a strip mall for breakfast at a place that serves beignets. It's going to be a good day.

Our next stop was at Mesa Lane Beach

We walked south along the beach....

...to 1000 Steps Beach and continued south to Shoreline Park.

Then hiked back to 1000 Steps Beach and walked back to our car on Cliff Drive.

Next stop Loon Point Beach

 Our next stop was the Carpinteria Seal Sanctuary.

You can only view the seals from up on the bluff.

Our next stop was the incredible Leo Carrillo State Beach.

We hiked along the caves and rock formations in the water and on the beach. We also hiked above the beach on the Ocean cliffs. 

After a tasty dinner at Reel Inn Malibu, we ended our day at the Santa Monica Pier as the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. 

Ending our beautiful day by spending time from sunrise to sunset where the water meets the land.