Big Sur

Big Sur is the coastal area south of Monterey, and is the most spectacular part of the Pacific Coast Highway. The views are magnificent and keep getting better, but after a bit you realise you can't stop at every lay-by to drink it in and take a photo or you'll never reach your destination.

I don't normally add to the blog two days running, but I've fitted a lot in today. Setting off from Monterey I drove round the Monterey Peninsula and along the 17 Mile Drive - a private section of road flanked by golf courses and magnificent mansions, then I had a brief stop in Carmel for coffee - you can tell how wealthy the place is; every other shop is an art gallery. But it's very pretty. Then I visited the Carmel Mission, another of the missions set up by Fr Junipero Serra, who is recognised as one of the founders of California.

Then I headed down the coast to the Big Sur Pfeiffer State Park where after a picnic lunch I did a five mile hike which went from a river valley up through redwood groves to a magnificent view point over the Pacific with the Santa Lucia mountain range behind.

Finally I drove the rest of the Big Sur route (the warning sign said sharp bends for 63 miles!) to reach San Luis Obispo in time for tea. For once I didn't bother to shop and cook, but went for a very nice pizza instead.