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Highway 1 California Vacation

Highway 1 California Vacation Golden Gate Bridge

Highway 1 California Vacation

You know that old adage, “travel together, stay together.” Yeah, me neither, but it sounded good for a minute. Haha. Alright, you lovelies here is the lowdown on our Highway 1 California Vacation! First, I have to tell you it was super fun! Harry and I flew into San Francisco in February for my birthday! Yay! The warm bay air and sunshine was a welcomed reprieve from the cold rainy days back east, we even came home to snow.

Anyway, we landed in San Francisco and caught an Uber to pick up our rental van. We rented a camper van from Travellers Autobarn. One, let me tell you there is nothing classy about these rental vans, but sleeping in a van isn’t classy, to begin with! But they are perfect for a great adventure! After our first night of camping in our campervan, we finished our trek to Yosemite and holy heavens it is gorgeous. I know what you are thinking! Yosemite is not off Highway 1, but who goes to California and doesn’t go to Yosemite? Just wait we will get to Highway 1.

All of Harry’s dreams of seeing El Capitan, Half Dome and more are all coming true! And it was magnificent to watch him marvel, like a kid in a candy shop! Next up we headed to Autocamp where we spent two nights glamping in a super cute airstream, which was just perfect! I highly recommend Autocamp. Part of our trip was to attend a photography workshop which you can see more of here!

Highway 1 Adventure Continues

Our next venture was to head to Highway 1 and drive south. We drove south to San Simeon to see Hearst Castle which was super cool. It’s kind of like the Biltmore of the West. If you love history you must go! Next was a little surprise we did not plan on seeing but a colony of elephant seals was not far from the castle. So we stopped and marveled at them all washed up on the beach making the most obnoxious noises, the males fought with each other and the moms kept the babies cool in the sand. High-quality entertainment I can assure you.

Next, we got back on the road and made our way to Big Sur. We camped on Highway 1 and woke up the next morning with the perfect sunrise overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Our next stop Pfeiffer Beach was worth the whole $12 we spent to see it. I promise! This amazing beach is absolutely stunning and like nothing, we have on the East Coast. The magnificent rocks that are right off the coastline are beautiful!

After crossing the famous Bixby Bridge we made our way to Carmel By The Sea. We stopped at the Old Spanish Mission, which is beautiful. Next to Monterey where we went to the Fishermans Warf which was a pretty cliche tourist trap. But gorgeous views of the bay. If you are in Monterey don’t miss stopping by Captian and Stoker. The barista noticed I was shooting a film camera so the place has my heart.

Colorful Adventures

Next on our journey, we passed through a town I randomly found surfing Instagram. Capitola, California is known for this few rows of super colorful houses right on the water. We wished we had spent more time here!

After cooking, sleeping and brushing our teeth in our beloved camper van one more night we made our way back to San Francisco. We spent the day hitting the high points. The Golden Gate Bridge of course! We also made our way to The Palace of Fine Arts then onto lunch at Boudin Bakery! So Yummy. After some Ghiradelli Ice Cream, we popped in and out of City Hall, because who doesn’t love gorgeous architecture! And made our way back to drop off our van, crashed in a hotel and took a hot shower, then back to the East Coast, glad for a grand adventure!

Perks of being a wedding photographer is that sometimes you get to travel to amazing places. We loved our visit to California and hope to head back soon. Check out some of our favorite images captured on our adventure.

Yosemite Half Dome Reflection Photo
Yosemite Chapel Photo
Yosemite Bridal Veil Falls Photo
Yosemite Valley Floor Photo
Yosemite Valley Photo
Yosemite Autocamp Airstream Air B&B Photos
Autocamp Yosemite Communal Space Photos
Autocamp Yosemite Airstream Air B&B Photo
Highway 1 California San Simeon Hearst Castle Photos
Highway 1 California Hearst Castle In San Simeon Photo
Highway 1 California San Simeon Hearst Castle Photos
Hearst Castle Photo
Highway 1 California Hearst Castle Photos
Highway 1 California Hearst Castle Photo
Highway 1 California Oranges On Tree and Hearst Castle Photos
Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California Photo
Elephant Seals On Beach and Hearst Castle Photos
Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California Photo
Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California Photos
Black and White of Waves Crashing Over Rocks Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California Photo
Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California Photos
McWay Falls Hwy 1 California Photo
Black and White of Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California Photos
Black And White Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California Photo
Pfeiffer Beach Big Sur California Photos
Highway 1 California Bixby Bridge Photo
Highway 1 California Big Sur Photos
Highway 1 California Big Sur Photo
Highway 1 California Big Sur Photo
Highway 1 California Historic Carmel Mission Photo
Highway 1 California Historic Carmel Mission Photos
Highway 1 California Historic Carmel Mission Photo
Highway 1 California Historic Carmel Mission Photos
Highway 1 California Historic Carmel Mission Photo
Highway 1 California Historic Carmel Mission Photos
Highway 1 California Boats In Monterey Bay Photo
Highway 1 California Monterey Pigeon Photo
Highway 1 California Rocks and Boats at Monterey Bay Photos
Highway 1 California Captain and Stoker Coffee Shop In Monterey Photo
Highway 1 California Captain And Stoker Coffee Shop in Monterey Photo
Highway 1 Capitola California Colorful Beachfront And Succulents Photos
Highway 1 California Capitola Restaurants Photo
Highway 1 California Vacation Colorful Wall and Pink Flowers Photos
Highway 1 California Capitola Colorful Homes Photo
Highway 1 California Capitola and Pescadero Beach Photos
Highway 1 California Vacation San Francisco Palace Of Fine Arts Photo
Highway 1 California San Francisco Palace Of Fine Arts Photo
Highway 1 California San Francisco Bay Photo
Highway 1 California Vacation San Francisco City Hall Photo
San Francisco City Hall Photos
Highway 1 California Vacation Pink Flowers Photo
Highway 1 California San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge Photo

 

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