Day 7- Avenue of Giants, Eureka

Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile drive through redwoods by the Eel River. few hours if you decide to get out of your car and ponder the trees- chimney tree, random groves, founders tree hiking loop, & anticlimactic immortal tree. Got back on 101 N for hour drive to Eureka.  Late lunch at Somoa House, menu was roast beef. Giant loaf was amazing.  Saw the Victorian mansion, then sequoia park garden, & walked the sequoia Park.  Never did the wandering of city’s Old Town and Waterfront, a bit of a ghost town. Checked into hotel, New York style pizza & buffalo wings.  Went to bed early! Actually woke at midnight to wash up

Day 6- Mendocino

Mendocino

Fort Bragg

Highway 1 sunset

Late checkin 

drive to Mendocino, scenic curvy drive on 128 thru wineries & Navarro state park, with stop at apple farm.  check out point arena lighthouse, lunch at egghead fort Bragg, then back to Mendocino headlands state park, glass beach in fort Bragg, then sunset drive up highway 1,  to leggert drive thru tree closed, then 101 to hotel for late check in -

Day 5- Back on the Road

Made it to Zachary's last swim lesson for the summer

85c for salted caramel iced coffee & pastries

Picked up fried chicken sandwiches from Bakesale Betty. A bit shocked at the change, 

Yupp, buns. No longer a roll 

Just crossed the Richmond San Rafael bridge on the drive to Point Reyes.  The plan is to pull over to lunch on our sandwiches the minute baby Natalie wakes from her nap. But impressively, she is hitting record time. Becoming a pro road tripper

Planning to drop by a winery or two, before our fancy night in at a Best western.  Tonight might just be the priciest hotel, $200

--

Ended up enjoying the drive to point Reyes & getting "that" family photo at the point Reyes lighthouse.  We wanted to do oysters at hog island, but never made it by closing time 5pm so instead had dinner at point Reyes station before checking into cloverdale. 

We decided to take an evening stroll into downtown cloverdale.  A bit of a nice surprise, we ran into a evening wine & music festival.  Of course, I ended up with an ice cream cone 

Day 4- Hanging out with the Chong's

Started the day with Delicious breakfast bacon quesadillas, compliments to chef Tina

It was nice & relaxing to do our morning routine at a leisurely pace. And at a home. 

Decided to get some fresh air & picked up Asian Box, a spin on chipotle, to picnic at Stanford.  Perfect weather to lay out on the lush green grass. With the winds rustling the tree branches against the bright blue sky, Natalie was enamored by her real life mobile.  It almost felt like pre baby life,  by picking up Taiwanese milk tea boba drinks on the way back home 

Dinner we went out to Pacific Catch, de Japanese & sushi.  Tried Tina's trick in propping up the infant car seat like a chair. Natalie did so well, was fully entertained. 

Desserts were at home, ice cream in waffle cones. Paired with adult drinks

Honestly this is the life 

Day 3 - Morro Bay, Montano de Oso, Paso Robles, King City, & The Chong's

Started the day off seeing Morro Rock peeking into the marine layer.  Didn't have to go far, the view was perfect from the hotel room.  We ventured closer & took some family photos.  James got some use out of the tripod

We drove through Morro State Park, there wasn't much but just to cross off our list of places 

Then, we headed over to Montano de Oso.  Of course, with a nursing session in Starbucks parking lot.  Natalie was asleep, & the cliffs required a hike.  So instead, James & I took some memory photos just us two.  Like the pre-baby days.  

We had lunch at Paso Robles, in a cute little patio at Thomas Hill Organics.

Currently on te drive to Mountain View to visit the Chong's. The plan is to stop by King City for a park that Caught James' eyes.  Seems like we will also run into rush hour traffic.  But Quite excited to reunite Natalie with her unnie Corinne. 

Day 2- Pismo Beach

After a filling breakfast, we headed over to Pismo beach.  Natalie was not a fan of the bright sun or hot weather.  But we managed to squeeze in some photos in front of the lifeguard tower

We checked out the monarch butterfly grove, but the walking trails were closed for renovation. & honestly, there was not One butterfly in sight.  But Natalie cheered up on the side of the road, when the ocean winds tickled her cheeks.  She would giggle and try to take a bite of the breeze. 

I realized that Natalie needed a sun hat, so we swung by the outlets.  Carter's only had beanies (in this humid hot summer weather?!) so we went to Gymboree.  A bit loose, but got her a peachy pink hat in size 3-6 months.  

Then we went to Pismo beach boardwalk for some eats.  Had clam chowder in bread bowl with calamari & chips at splash cafe.  We did run into a hiccup, so ended up having our meal comped.  After a nice stroll on the boardwalk, James bought me the best cinnamon roll I've ever had at Old West.

We drove up to Morro Bay and checked in for the night at Ascot Suites.  Our view was of the famous Morro Rock.  Again, Natalie had her relaxing bath time & was done for te nught.  James took a brisk walk to the Main Street to pick up some Thai food.  Ended up being te most expensive Thai we've ever had.  I mean, $14 for two veggie spring rolls?!

I got to say, today was one of the Top Days when it comes to how often and how much Natalie pooped.  Poor thing went all day long, with splotchy pink butt as proof 

California coastal road trip- Day One

Left after the morning rush, with our first stop being lunch at breakfast joint in Ventura. Peet's was featured on Guy Fieri's diners drive thrus & dives.  Sweet Natalie slept thru the entire meal

Then we spent the day in solvang.  Complete with Danish from olsen's, then frozen treats from mcconnell's.  James got a couple photo session squeezed in

We then finished our first day on the road by checking into the Santa Maria inn.  Natalie got her nighttime bath, and was asleep.  So, James went out to pick up salvadorean food.  Even with 30 minutes before closing time, the doors were locked.  So he found a Mexican joint, & honestly it's the best Mexican I've had since going on my maternity leave