March 21, 2022 Beaches, Beaches and More Beaches (Part One)

Today we are driving up the Pacific Coast Highway to Goleta. Our plan is to spend the next three days on beaches. So you might ask why is the first photo in the mountains? Well everyone that has ever traveled with me knows I get distracted easily. While driving along PCH I saw a sign for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Visitor Center. I can not resist scenic turnouts and visitor centers. I figured it was just off the highway. It was not. 

I was so excited to be here. Until I found out it was closed. We took advantage of the bathrooms and the brochures available outside the building. 

Instead of backtracking to PCH, I figured we could cut across the mountains and find a road back to PCH. Let's just say we eventually made it back to sea level...

...more than an hour later at El Pescador State Beach.

We headed down to the beach. 

As usual, Christy is ahead of me. I'm taking in the incredible views from the cliffs over the Pacific Ocean. 

This is what heaven looks like to me.

I love the sound of water rushing over the rocks.

We headed south along the shoreline.

So much to see and photograph.

After a long Chicago winter, it feels great to be barefoot on a beach.

When we reach what seemed like the end of El Pescador beach...

...I turned around and took this photo...

...climbed over the rocks...

...and joined Christy on the next beach.

I believe this is Encinal Beach. At least that is what Google Maps is telling me.

I love the staircase with a nice wooden door built into it to keep me out.

Christy just kept walking, so I figured we will go as far as we can along the ocean.

This is the house I jokingly said we rented on Facebook. I was surprised people believed we could afford a place like this amazing house.

I'm guessing this is La Piedra beach. And yes, hiking with Christy can seem like hiking by yourself. But today I am just thrilled to be walking here and taking it all in.

The great part of hiking like this is we have to go back the same way we came out.

I finally caught up with her.

Then we found this huge rock formation.

I definitely didn't think we would find a sea cave on this hike.

Now I am so damn happy we kept walking. Let's explore this sea cave.

I walked to the back and found out the Nudist Nook is to the left. 

Then I found an outlet to the next beach. 

So I crawled through to the next beach. Christy didn't want to get wet and stayed in the cave. 

I walked to the next beach. There were pelicans searching for a late lunch on this beach.

This might be Playa San Juan Leighton Beach.

Since Christy didn't follow me. I turned around and headed back. 

I took a few pictures on the way back to the car.

I love catching waves hitting the rocks...

...and flowing over them.

 We spent the rest of the day driving to Goleta and finding a place to eat.

This was a relaxing way to break up the drive to Goleta.