Bixby Creek Bridge

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BEST

hidden beaches of

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Get out there and hit the magical road trip on California’s highway 1

15 things to do in

San Francisco before you die

Pigeon Point Lighthouse Windswept mountains and rocky cliffs, you might not expect to find a New England-style lighthouse rising out of the surf.

T C E F R E P E H T

Pacific Coast Highway Road trip

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Pigeon Point Light House: Why you will love to see it. by Mark Casey

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The Getty Villa: A Study in Beauty & Wonder Stephen Cooper

Great Museum

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stunning scenery

Monterey: Grab Life by The Moments Lana Law and Brad Lane | Fall 2021

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15 Things To Do in San Francisco Before You Die by Annette White It’s the city of Dungeness crab, sourdough bread and, of course, the breathtaking Golden Gate Bridge.

7 Reasons You Should Explore Highway 1 by Donna dailey

The only drivable beach in California where you will experience many state parks, historic lighthouses, and piers.

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Prepping For Your Best Driving Adventure! By Oksana & Max St John

These road trip tips will make sure you plan the most perfect road trip and know exactly what to do along the way.

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WALTON Lighthouse

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Pigeon Point Lighthouse Why You Will

Love to See It Mark Casey DRIVING DOWN THE COAST ALONG California’s famous Highway 1 is many a road tripper’s dream. Adventurous sightseers can take it from misty Portland to sunny San Diego, but the most famous stretch is beautiful central coast of California, between San Francisco and Big Sur. There you’ll expect to find innumerable beaches, windswept mountains and rocky cliffs, but you might not expect to find a New England-style lighthouse rising out of the surf.

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igeon Point Lighthouse rests at the top of a cliff, far above the crashing surf thundering through the rocks it was built to warn ships against. Built in 1872, the lighthouse is still operational, though only as a navigational aid for the US Coast Guard training purposes. Mostly, it’s a picturesque piece of history that was almost lost to the sands of time.

What You Can Do at Pigeon Point Lighthouse

Pigeon Point Lighthouse's Fascinating History

The Pigeon Point area is also a good place to go bird watching, known among birders as one of the finest places to observe seabirds on the California Coast. Visitors also often spot seals, sea lions, and whales from the shore as they swim past the outcropping of land.

The Pigeon Point Light was named for the clipper ship Carrier Pigeon, which sank off the nearby point of land in 1853. After three more ships were lost in the same area, Congress approved construction of a lighthouse at Pigeon Point, at the cost of $90,000. In contrast, the planned project to restore the lighthouse may cost $11 million or more. The lantern room was built at the Lighthouse Service's New York depot and shipped around Cape Horn to California. Pigeon Point has been a favorite place for tourists since the beginning, and early light keepers often doubled as tour guides. An excerpt from the 1883 edition of the San Mateo County Gazette: “Our escort was of a very talkative disposition and took great pride in dilating upon the wonders of the establishment.” The Fresnel lens is a first-order lens, the largest size of lens made. It was used at the old Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in North Carolina until the Civil War ended. Pigeon Point's identifying lighting pattern was one flash every ten seconds.

You can't go inside until repairs are completed, but you can take a virtual tour at the California State Parks website. Repair work began in 2011 after a section of the exterior fell off in 2001, closing the structure to visitors. The grounds are also open, and you can see the lighthouse from the outside during daylight hours.

The lighthouse is a good place to go stargazing, but the grounds are closed at night except to people staying at the hostel. For many years, the commemorative lighting was done on or around November 15. Hundreds of photographers gathered to take its picture. During repair work, this event has been put on hold, and you should check with the lighthouse before you try to go. The old keepers' housing is now a hostel run by Hostelling International where you can rent dorm-style rooms and private rooms. They also have a cliffside hot tub that is popular at sunset. Pigeon Point Lighthouse is at 210 Pigeon Point Road, Highway 1, Pescadero, CA. Head South on Highway 1 from San Francisco, or west from the silicon valley towns of the peninsula. You won't miss this landmark along the highway. | Fall 2021

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Great Museum

T he Gett yV illa A Study iN

Beauty

&Wonder Stephen Cooper

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The Villa’s very beautiful indeed, but it’s also an intellectually rigorous place with art of high quality. I’ll write more than a few stories since I’m seeing so much art, but I want to begin with the Getty, specifically, the Getty Villa, the museum dedicated to antiquities and once the site of Getty’s house. I spent most of Monday there, and it’s idyllic. Set on a hill in Pacific Palisades with a view of the ocean and based on the Villa dei Papiri in Herculaneum, it’s

a soothing but bizarre dream come true. It’s perfect, right down to the sweet ocean breeze, and frosty Vermonters like me look at perfection, much less perfection in ideal weather, with skepticism. Yes, at times I felt like I was on a movie set. I suspended all disbelief, though. The Villa’s very beautiful indeed, but it’s also an intellectually rigorous place with art of high quality.

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rt likely helped cool the fires of Getty’s domestic turmoil and momentarily relieved him from the burden of immense wealth. (His obituary in The New York Times noted, ‘Mr. Getty said he found himself lonely because so many people liked him for his bank balance while ignoring his other virtues.’) Meditating on the importance of art, Getty remarked: ‘The beauty one can find in art is one of the pitifully few real and lasting products of human endeavour. That beauty endures. A work of art lives . . . through the generations and centuries . . .’ Getty started buying art in the 1930s. He was fascinated with antiquities, and his collection of classical art soon grew to become one of the finest in the country. Ultimately, visitors strolling through the aesthetically divine grounds and halls of the Getty Villa will find it difficult to reconcile tales of Getty’s insatiable money-grabbing with the generosity of his final wishes. Getty’s will, which calls for ‘the diffusion of artistic and general knowledge, led to the creation of the J. Paul Getty Trust, one of the largest supporters of visual arts in the world, with programs in exhibitions, conservation, research, and grantmaking.’ When conceiving his villa, which opened to the public in 1974, Getty wanted to make his collection of classical artworks accessible for all to see and wonder at – just as he once had.

Roman-style plantings, and bronze statues. Its interior galleries are likewise opulent, with fine stone wall finishes and shining terrazzo floors.’ One of the most interesting statues at the Getty Villa is ‘The Landsdowne Herakles,’ a large marble Roman statue from about A.D. 125. The Getty Villa placard immediately in front identifies the piece as ‘one of J. Paul Getty’s most prized possessions [which] inspired him to build this Museum in the style of an ancient Roman villa.’

Whatever Getty’s motivations, lucky travelers and locals standing before the Landsdowne Herakles will come away awed by the statue’s timeless power and beauty – beauty that will, thanks to J. Paul Getty’s generous legacy, endure for the ages, as will the rest of the Villa’s vast collection and breathtaking grounds. Sitting on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, it is well worth the trip.

A scholarly work published by the Getty Villa and Seymour Howard in 1978 states, more definitively, that Getty ‘considered the Landsdowne Herakles as the most important antiquity in his museum. Besides the respectable history of the sculpture and its unquestioned artistic merit, Getty also had considerable affection for the hero Herakles himself.’ Taking a decidedly more cynical view of Getty’s attachment to the statue, the L.A. Times noted, ‘Getty bought [it] for a bargain $18,500 in 1951, when collecting antiquities was out of fashion.’

Based on Herculaneum’s Villa dei Papiri, which was destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79. As the Los Angeles Conservancy elegantly observed, ‘the result is unquestionably grand: a two-story building with a 300-foot-long peristyle of Doric and Corinthian columns surrounding a landscaped courtyard with a reflecting pool, | Fall 2021

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15 things

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before you die

by Annette White | Fall 2021

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hen you think of the most fun city in California, where do you think of? Los Angeles? Santa Barbara? For me it is always San Francisco. It’s the city of Dungeness crab, sourdough bread and, of course, the breathtaking Golden Gate Bridge. Some people have even left their hearts here. San Francisco is on most travelers Things to Do List and for very good reason. Whether your a first-time visitor or a local, the City has something to offer for everyone and here’s just a little taste of the best things to do in San Francisco and attractions not to be missed. 16

1 Shop at Union Square

Chinese community outside of Asia. It’s held a highly inf luential position historically and culturally ever since its establishment, and there are many points of interest for you to spend half a day to a day exploring, with food being one of the main highlights for many. There’s so many different restaurants for you to choose from, but some of the best spots are Good Mong Kok Bakery (if there’s one spot in Chinatown you’ll have everyone recommending you to visit, this is IT), Dim Sum Bistro, Hing Lung Company, Z & Y Restaurant and Sam Wo Restaurant. Whichever 2 Eat Chinese Food in Chinarestaurant you choose, you can town rest assured you’ll be treated to Not only is San Francisco’s a wonderful and authentic meal. Chinatown the oldest in North America, it also hosts the largest Union Square holds one of the largest collections of department stores, boutique shops, beauty salons, art galleries, and so on, in all of the United States. Therefore, you can absolutely rest assured it’ll be among the best of the best spots to shop while in San Francisco. In addition, there are also many live events held at Union Square – it’s really not a spot you’ll run out of things to do in! If you visit during the winter season, there’s even an ice skating rink for visitors’ additional pleasure.

3 Drink an Irish Coffee at the Buena Vista

Famous bartender Larry Nolan serves up thousands of Irish coffees a day at The Buena Vista, using a recipe that was perfected in 1952. It’s not just the quantity that’s impressive, but the technique too. On a busy night a couple dozen stemmed glasses will be lined up in a row and strategically filled in a low-tech assembly line fashion. Also, if you sit at the bar with Larry, he might possibly blow your mind with fun magic tricks while you drink your Irish coffee. Don’t get worried if you become a little addicted to this drink because you can learn to make Irish Coffee the Buena Vista way at home.

4 Eat the Famous San Francisco Sourdough

Sourdough bread has been a part of the San Francisco culture since the California Gold Rush when French bakers brought over expert baking techniques. There are plenty of places around the city to buy a loaf of this sour-style bread; Try the Pain au Levain at Acme, Sourdough Long Loaf at Boudin or the Organic Sourdough Batard at Noe Valley Bakery. But, if eating a plain loaf of bread isn’t on your carb agenda head over to Tartine to indulge in one of their delicious sandwiches made with their housemade Sourdough Country Levain.

5 Climb the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps

The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps are a neighborhood project to create beautiful mosaic artwork on a set of 163 stairs. The steps are a colorful display featuring waves of turquoise, bright birds and vibrant sea animals of all kinds. Make your way to the top, stopping to marvel at the fascinating artwork along the way and to catch your breath because the stairs are pretty steep! | Fall 2021

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6 Ogle the Architecture at the Palace of Fine Arts

This gorgeous building was built in 1919, and was inspired by ancient Greek and Roman architecture. It is an attraction that needs to be seen from all angles! It stands at the foot of a lagoon that reflects the palace by daylight, so start with a walk of the perimeter. Then head inside to stand amongst of gigantic pillars. There are so many tiny details, statues, and cravings to take in, that you really need to take some time to see appreciate them all. Don’t forget to make your way back to the Palace of Fine Arts at night to get a view of it all lit up.

7 Pose with the Haight Ashbury Sign

San Francisco is as much about technology these days as it once was about the Summer of Love and the Haight Ashbury neighborhood was at the epi-center of it all. Today, the suburb still embodies the vibrancy and color of its hay-days. There are a number of great walking tours, to hear stories of the stars, leaders of movements, and runaways that once occupied the area. Otherwise, don a pair of circle sunglasses, and throw up a peace sign for an iconic photo at the intersection of these two classic streets

that became synonymous with the counter - culture movement.

8 Take a Cable Car Ride

Would a Things to Do in San Francisco list be complete without having take a cable car ride on it? The cable car is a San Francisco icon, carrying countless tourists up and down the steep hills. Though it is one of the cities most popular attractions, it is also a handy form of transportation taking folks to many sites around town. You can even follow up your ride with with a visit to the Cable Car Museum.

9 Stroll Through the Japanese Tea Garden

I feel as if I have been transported back to my favorite tiny Asian country whenever I explore the Japanese Tea Gardens in San Francisco. This sprawling complex is part of the Golden Gate Park, and has everything you could expect from a Tea Garden. Pagodas, ponds of koi, stone bridges, exotic plants, and of course an authentic tea house. The peaceful atmosphere is also ref lective of some of Japans most popular religions, Buddhism and Shino. So there are various carvings, and sculptures dotted throughout the garden to ref lect this. | Fall 2021

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10 Bicycle (or Walk) Across the Golden Gate

Even though it happens often for me, driving over the Golden Gate bridge still is impressive. But, what is even more thrilling is taking a bike or walk across San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. You can bring your own bike or easily rent one nearby. Blazing Saddles is a reputable company that will take you on an 8 -mile guided bike tour that includes a ride across the bridge or choose to do a self-guided trip (booking information here). Just be sure to abide by the laws of the bridge for bikes and pedestrians.

11 See the Dutch Windmill

This is a great place to spend the afternoon with family, friends, or a lover. Surrounding the windmill are fields of green, and the lovely Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden. Although the pretty Dutch windmill, and its sibling the Murphy Windmill only exist for aesthetic these days. They were once an important mechanism to irrigate the sandy park by pumping water from wells deep below. By the 50’s the windmills were in a state of extreme disrepair, but the state has since taken efforts to preserve the history of these stunning Golden Gate Park landmarks.

12 Spot the Wild Parrots

There is no specific address where you can spot a flock of wild cherry-headed conure parrots roaming around San Francisco. But, your best bet would be to start at Coit Tower and then walk down the 400 Telegraph Hill steps scoping out the trees along the way. This area is where I had my first sighting and was also the inspiration for the documentary The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. 22

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13 Get Fresh Crab at a Fisherman’s Wharf Sidewalk Stand

Fisherman’s Wharf has 8 sidewalk stands spread across San Francisco, so it’ll be super easy to fit into your schedule. They have a wonderful selection of seafood on sale, beyond just crab and shrimp. If you’re visiting San Francisco during the crab season, which is in November, it’ll be the best time possible to have your fix of fresh crab at one of their stands! Fisherman’s Wharf itself is San Francisco’s most famous waterfront spot, so you really have no excuses for not visiting and grabbing a fresh meal there. Think of the sea lions who’ve come all that way to greet you!

14 Drive (& Walk) Down The “Crookedest Street”

Lombard Street has eight hairpin turns that has made it famously known as the “Crookedest Street in San Francisco”, though there is some debate that it isn’t actually the most ziggedy-zaggedy. But, with up to 350 cars an hour driving down, it’s definitely the most well-known and iconic thing to do. Traditionally, tourists will slowly drive down the short switchbacks, but what is even better is walking down this steep 600 foot long road. On foot you are able to fully see not only the red bricked road, but also the beautiful homes that line it.

15 Take in the View from Twin Peaks

The best view of San Francisco is from Twin Peaks, which is geographically located at the center of the city. It’s hard to believe that the first time I went here was just a few months ago and now I am in love taking in the 360-degree view from the hilltop. Here you can see the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the Mission District, the famous Haight Ashbury suburb and the gorgeous modern houses surrounding the hill. If you are lucky you may also get a glimpse of the endangered mission butterfly while you are there, or one of the cheeky raccoons or opossums that call the hill their home.

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You Should Explore Highway 1 by Donna dailey

Highway 1 is the most iconic roadway in California and is designed by Department of Transportation. The only drivable beach in California where you will experience many state parks, historic lighthouses, and piers. Centuries-old forests. Hundreds of acres of coastal vineyards. Uncrowded white sand beaches. Imagine the road trip of your life, gliding past uncrowded beaches and wine grapes ripening in the sun. California dreaming? Think about it! | Fall 2021

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eady for a once-in-a-lifetime coastal experience full of wildlife and wonder? We’re going to let you in on a little local secret: Follow iconic Highway 1 to The Southern End of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and don’t forget to pack your sense of adventure. You’ll soon be exploring untouched beaches, vibrant tide pools and lush kept forests teeming with rarely seen sea-life, including dolphins, otters, Elephant Seals and whales, just beyond. Stretching from the Bay Area to the north and concluding along the southernmost seaside alcoves of Ragged Point, San Simeon and Cambria - you’ll experience one of the world’s most majestic marine protected areas alongside historic lighthouses and unforgettable vistas. As if you needed more reasons to plan your trip, here’s our top 7 takeaways for anyone looking to discover SLO CAL’s stretch of Highway 1, a true coastal gem.

1. You’ll Actually Enjoy the Drive

Truly, all of Highway 1 is considered “the scenic route,” but once you cruise along the Southern End of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, you’ll notice new, fiery hues in the sunset. From the dramatic, sea-swept cliffs of Ragged Point in the north to the coast-hugging twists and turns that meander through San Simeon and Cambria in the south (making for some of California’s most sought-after cycling routes), you’ll feast your eyes at every moment. Instead of gritting your teeth through traffic, why not take in the big, blue Pacific, black sand beaches and lovely wildflowers, which emerge in full regalia each spring? Along the western Big Sur Coastline north of Ragged Point, turn off along Highway 1 and feast your eyes on a very special view: Big Creek, one of SLO CAL’s most beautiful sights to behold (part of Big Creek State Marine Conservation Area and State Marine Reserve). Cra-

zy but true: this is just one of countless opportunities to truly take in the sanctuary’s rugged and pristine natural beauty. Sure, lots of vacation spots offer up a scenic outlook once you arrive. Not many can claim to offer breathtaking photo opportunities from start to finish!

2. It’s Free and Easy to Access

No reservations necessary: Home to bejeweled tide pools, thick kelp forests, unique underwater cliffs and some of the planet’s most diverse wildlife, you’d think enjoying this natural attraction would require a velvet rope. Not so! The Southern end of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is actually one of the easiest national treasures to access in California (we can thank conservationists’ hard work for this incredible gift). Not quite sure where to place it? While often confused with the city of Monterey or Monterey County—in reality, the sanctuary covers nearly a quarter of California’s coastline, including much of SLO CAL’s spectacular stretch of Highway 1. What are you waiting for?

3. You’ll See More Sea Life

Believe your eyes: Want to experience the majesty of SLO CAL’s abundant underwater animal kingdom? You’re in luck, especially if you’re traveling during our Season of Coastal Discovery, January through February. The vast sanctuary—coupled with smaller protected marine areas dotting the coast—play host to playful Pacific white-sided dolphins, fascinating California sea lions, families of sea otters and jaw-dropping gray whales, known for putting on unforgettable displays along the water (see our epic list of High28

way 1 Whale Trail viewing spots here). Plus, there’s always new discoveries happening under the deep. In fact, a rare Octopus Garden was recently found off the at the Davidson Seamount, a very special protected marine area bordering the sanctuary. Here, among underwater volcanic outcroppings and more than two dozen species of deep-sea coral, a thousand octopi guard their eggs and incubate in hydrothermal waters.

4. You’ll Get Up Close and Personal

Catch a wave and wave hello: Surfers are eager to rise early and paddle out at the Pico Creek and Moonstone Beach surf spots, where the curl is sweet and an up-close brush with local wildlife is certain. Part of the Cambria State Marine Park, these waters are also excellent for paddle-boarding (you can easily use the boat ramp at Moonstone Beach to launch a kayak or SUP). Say howdy to curious seals and plentiful sea birds during your session, but be sure to keep a respectful distance, with our handy wildlife viewing tips in mind. Naturalists are also keen to scuba dive, snorkel, and even drop a line into the surf, making for a full day of immersive, action-packed fun. With all these up-close encounters at an arm’s reach, you’ll be even more inclined to leave the land and water exactly how you found it. Our Stewardship: Travel for Good program helps travelers to preserve the area’s majesty, one hike (or paddle) at a time.

5. You will appreciate the History

The tide of time: Listen carefully, as the salty breeze seems to hold the secrets of this dynamic land. | Fall 2021

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Home to 36 marine mammal species, 180 bird species, 525 fish species, 4 turtle species, and 450+ algae species, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary has earned its colorful nickname, “Serengeti of the Sea.” A trip to the historic 1875 Piedras Blancas Lighthouse affords enlightening views of the Piedras Blancas State Marine Conservation Area, Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve and the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, home to thousands of seals living out their daily dramas. Once known as a treacherous realm for passing ships, the breathtaking side-by-side Point Sur State 30

Marine Conservation Area and Point Sur State Marine Reserve is crowned by the 1889 Point Sur Lighthouse, crafted atop a towering rock (yes, like something out of an antique oil painting). Trust us: You’ll have no trouble imagining early Native American families searching for small fish as you stroll along the nearby Big Sur River in Andrew Molera State Park. For more historical

gems along Highway 1 and across the SLO CAL coast, check out our History and Heritage Trail. There’s so much to know! The only question is, how far back do you want to go?

6. You’ll Become a Novice Marine Biologist

Learning is fun, no matter your age: Whether you bring the kiddos along or just your favorite hiking companion, the Coastal Discovery Center is ground zero for taking in all the fascinating facts surrounding the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and its vibrant and varied inhabitants. A collaborative research and education effort established by the sanctuary and California

State Parks, the Discovery Center hosts enlightening exhibits and hands-on learning activities open to the public. Whether you’re just learning around marine-life or a total undersea buff, a stroll through this educational space will shorten the distance between shore to sea. Hey you just might see a real life submarine or move your hands over the bumpy surface of a sea star. It’s all in a day’s study!

7. You’ll Explore Other Awesome Attractions

But wait, there’s more: If you find yourself in the mood for a stroll along the shore, you’ll never be more than a hop skip and a jump away from a bounty of awesome

attractions. In fact, William Randolph Hearst’s opulent mansion on the hill - the crown jewel of San Simeon and a national treasure is nestled just a stone’s throw from many of the sanctuary’s best stops (tours of the castle are currently closed, but you can always settle for a stop at Hearst Ranch Winery for some delicious Chardonnay). While in Old San Simeon, why not take in the fresh ocean air as you journey along Old San Simeon Bay Pier, overlooking William Randolph Hearst Sate Beach, a superb whale watching spot? To the south, in the charming artist’s alcove of Cambria, embark on a self-guided historic walking tour heightened by galleries and perhaps even a slice of famous

Olallieberry pie. As you continue to chase the sun south along Highway 1, Cayucos’ historic pier beckons, affording quiet solitude and a chance to clear your mind. Fancy yourself a nature photographer? You’ll want to make a point to stop at White Rock State Marine Conservation Area along the way, known for its picturesque wildlife, wildflowers, and waves. This photogenic landscape stretches to the coastline of Harmony, a storybook hamlet nestled between Cambria and Cayucos (population 18, if you count the cows). Time to stretch your legs and take stock of your good fortune. Highway 1 is rife with wide open spaces, and you’ve only just begun to get your sea legs. | Fall 2021

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here is nothing better than a road trip! The independence and flexibility of spending a couple of days or weeks on the road is second to none. Many people prefer long car rides and road trips for their flexibility, more eco-friendly output in compared to flying, and the cost effectiveness when taking a trip with a large family. Compared to typical vacations, road trips are more about the journey than the destination. However, in order to make the most of those long rides there are some road trip essentials that we recommend. At the beginning, it was rare for us to leave on a road trip without forgetting something. But having now been on so many road trips, we’ve compiled a list of the road trip essentials for every trip! These road trip tips will make sure you plan the most perfect road trip and know exactly what to do along the way.

1. Have a Plan of Where to Stop Along the Way

Whether you are planning to drive straight through or you do want to stop along the way, I really recommend planning out your overnight stops in advance. If you really want to throw caution to the wind, you can pull over at random motels you find when you’re tired, but especially if you’re going on a road trip with toddlers or babies or for someone on a budget, you are going to want to make sure that you’re stopping in a place that makes sense for your safety and for your wallet. This can even be something as simple as a list of hotels every 30 miles or so that you’d be happy to stay in so you can pick and choose on the night. Just do a little research beforehand, as staying in a bug motel with blood marks on the wall doesn’t get your road trip off to the right start.

2. Make Sure You’ve Checked Over Your Car’s Oil, Tires, Etc

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on your car than a trip to the local store or the daily school run. You’re going to be going over hundreds or thousands of miles, and you may be driving on terrain that you don’t normally drive on. The car needs a full over check before you go on a road trip. If you’re not an expert in cars, bring it in to be serviced and checked out by an expert instead of just glancing under the hood yourself even though you have no idea what you’re looking for. Make sure the oil, windshield wiper fluid, gas, etc are all topped up.

3. Double Check for Insurance Details and Driver’s License

Make sure the car insurance details are stored in the car before you take off and ensure that everyone who could possibly be of driving age and has a driving license in the trip have their driving license on them. You don’t want to find, halfway through the trip when you’re supposed to switch drivers, that someone has forgotten their license.

4. Have a Non-Electronic Map

We rely so much on electronics and having signal nowadays, which can be downright dangerous if you’re going on a cross America road trip.There are going to be places where you don’t have signal, your phone might die or go kaput for an unknown reason, and you don’t want to be stuck without a way to figure out where you’re going, especially in the middle of the night. Bring a physically printed out map or atlas that isn’t going to have any problem being read if you find yourself off track without your electronics working.

5. Bring Food & Drink

You can definitely stop for food along the way, but I would also recommend to pack food in advance for your road trip in these awesome bento snack boxes. Inevitably, not everyone will be hungry at the same time, and you might find that someone is hungry right after you’ve stopped, or they were asleep during the fast-food trip or you just go for miles without finding anywhere

to stop. Pack up sandwiches, fruit, and chips for each person so you have some food backups, and pack more if you’re going to be on the road for a long time. You can also make fun cookies like these animal cookies in advance and keep them as treats along the way. Staying hydrated on the road is just as important as eating healthy. So, don’t forget a water bottle. We always take our handy Hydro Flask bottles with us. They are double-wall vacuum insulated and stay cold for up to 24 hours so even if you leave your water bottle in the car for a few hours you won’t come back to boiling hot water. Unless you’ve opted to keep hot water in your bottle and in that case it will stay hot for up to 12 hours. We also love that Hydroflask bottles are crafted with sustainability in mind and they support social initiatives like Parks For All.

6. First Aid Kit

One of the first family road trip essentials you should pack is a first aid kit for minor aches and pains. If you are making your own, we recommend you add the following to stay comfortable on the road. • Tylenol: effective at relieving pain and fever • Ibuprofen/Advil: an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever • Pepto Bismol: if you haven’t heard their catchy commercials, Pepto is effective for nausea, heartburn, upset stomach, diarrhea. • Imodium: treats traveller’s diarrhea • Tums: an antacid used to relieve upset stomach and heartburn • Benadryl: an antihistamine used to treat allergies • Polysporin: an antibiotic cream used to protect against infection and speed up the healing • Bandages: to cover wounds and cuts

dominate the radio for the entire trip, so making one giant playlist is going to keep everyone interested and waiting in anticipation for their songs. Also, having a giant music playlist ready to go is going to help prevent you from conversation burnout or to give everyone some quiet time to stop arguing in the backseats and instead just listen.

8. Get a Holder for Your Phone to Use GPS

Safety first! If you’re using your phone as a GPS, which most of us do, get a holder that attaches your phone to the dashboard. It is dangeorus to hold your phone in your hands or on your lap and try at look at the directions. Have

7. Make a Playlist

Consult everyone in the car before you make a great road trip playlist on something like Spotify where you can all add your favorites. You don’t want one person to

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someone else in the car navigate, if possible, and if not, get that phone attached to your car so you don’t have to touch it or contact it to look at it for directions.

9. Bring USB Power Packs for Phone Charging

In today’s day and age, we’re so relient on our phones, but what happens when we can’t charge them? “Oh, well I have a USB port in my car,” you say. Okay, but what if you get into an accident and can’t turn on the car and your phone only have 20 minutes of battery left! Bring a USB portable phone charge like this one, fully charged, as a backup in case you need it along the journey. Hopefully you won’t need it, but if you do, you’ll be glad you did.

10. Get Sunscreens for the Windows

If you’ve got people in the backseat, especially kids, buying sunshades that attach to the windows like this one is a great idea for when you’re driving during times of the day where the sun seems to be streaming in at full force and baking them and their electronics. This is also helpful if someone is trying to take a nap as you can pull it down and create a darker environment.

11. Pack for All Eventualities

If you’re driving through climates, say, from Duluth to Orlando, don’t just pack warm weather gear. What if you get an hour from home and your car breaks down and you all have to

stand on the side of the road in your shorts in the winter? What if you go into a restaurant along the way that requires shoes, not flip flops, and all you have are your flip flops as you’re heading to the beach? Contingency plan so that you have the right clothing and footwear for all occasions, in case you get stuck or find yourself somewhere you didn’t expect. This includes bringing a bathing suit if you think you might be stopping at hotels with pools, even if you don’t plan on swimming at your destination.

12. Don’t Overpack

Okay, I’m also including a list of things to pack for the road trip, so this is an ironic tip, but don’t overpack! You want the car to feel as roomy inside as possible, and you don’t want to literally weigh it down with stuff. It can be tempting, when on a road trip, to celebrate not having all of the restrictions on what you can bring, but don’t let it go too far the other direction!

13. Bring Cooler with Ice

If you’re packing things like water bottles, fruits and sandwiches with meats, you’re going to want to bring a cooler with ice to put the food in if you’re going to be out all day or for multiple days without refrigeration. You can get soft side coolers like this one that can tuck under people’s feet or go squarely in between people so it doesn’t feel like such an imposition.

14. Pack Baby Wipes

Baby wipes aren’t just for babies! They are great to wipe your hands with if you’re about to dig into your food trip snacks but have marker all over your hands from helping the little ones color, or if someone has a spill. 38

15. Don’t Try and Force Fill the Time

You might have visions of family sing alongs in your head or feel like you need to bring 100 “road trip questions” or 8 road trip activity packs with you so you and your spouse don’t get bored of each other, but I would recommend to take it easy on the forced activities and just enjoy the ride. Now, with kids, I would definitely come prepared with activities for them to do, but forcing the teenagers into a game of I Spy that they’re not into isn’t going to make for good family memories. Instead, take the drive as it comes – be yourselves, make jokes, talk about what you see out the window, what you’re excited about where you’re going. Use the time to really get to know each other, not just going along with the motions of a road trip question list you found on Pinterest.

16. Plan to Arrive in Daylight if Possible

Whether you’re arriving at your destination or the places you’re staying along the way, it’s always safest to plan to arive in daylight. It prevents you from wandering around not knowing where you’re going, and just makes it easier to find in general.

17. Avoid Busy Traffic Times

It makes sense to avoid busy traffic times when you leave the house, but think through your journey. Sure, you could avoid morning rush hour and leave later, which is great, but then at some point you’re going to run into evening rush hour if you drive for long enough. Plan your stops and your journey so that you are not in built up areas during rush hours or you use those times for stop for

meals. If you’re going to spend an hour and a half in traffic during rush hour if you drive through and 30 minutes in traffic if you go outside of rush hour, you might as well use that extra hour to stop for food or a walk around.

18. Check Out Sightseeing Options Along the Way

Sometimes, people think of a road trip that takes you from point A to point B, but think about what other sightseeing options you have along the way. Even if you don’t have time to stay over in other places, you could always plan your rest breaks to be at other sightseeing options like National Parks.

19. Give Your Route to Friends or Family Beforehand

It’s always a good idea to tell friends and family who aren’t going with you what your route is ahead of time. Not only is this a safe thing to do in case you break down or don’t show up at your destination for nefarious reasons, but it can also be useful if you find yourself lost and your GPS isn’t working – call someone, tell them the last place you remember, and see if they can look it up and help you get back on track.

20. Don’t Sleep in a Parking Lot

Finding random gas stations to park in and sleep in your car can

feel like it’s part of the road trip on a budget dream, but it is really not. Even if you really need to keep your lodging on a budget, try an actual campsite. Sleeping in your car in a parking lot is not secure and you could be opening yourself up to situations you don’t want to be in.

21. Don’t Go with People You Don’t Know Well

Road trips are one of the most intimate ways of travel. You’re literally sitting in this box together with just those other people for hours on end. With flights and trains, you’ve got other people around, other things to do and look at, but for road trips, you’re stuck together. If you’re going on a road trip with your family, well, then, hopefully you like them! But if you’re considering a road trip with friends, really make sure you know them well enough to want to be road trip buddies before setting off.

stunning scenery

Mont erey Grab Life by

The

Moments

Lana Law and Brad Lane

A roughly 90-mile rugged coastline in central California, Big Sur is more of an experience than a place to visit. It's where the Santa Lucia Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean, and where headlights beam across breathtaking ocean sunsets as the state-spanning Highway 1 slows with hairpin turns. Attracting travelers with roadside attractions like Keyhole Rock formations and 80-foot waterfalls plummeting into the ocean, every mile of the Big Sur coast is lined with postcard appeal. 40

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n early morning fog often wraps the coast, but it typically burns off by the afternoon to reveal an intricate environment of redwood canyons and 300-foot ocean cliffs. From San Simeon in the south to Carmel-by-the-Sea up north, numerous state parks and public access points line this mountainous region of the coast and offer a wealth of things to do for outdoor enthusiats. Expect to spend the whole day or more to drive the Big Sur coast, with places like Pfeiffer Big Sur and Limekiln State Parks offering hours to explore and some of the best campgrounds in Big Sur. Heading either north or south, each stop seems more amazing than the last on the Big Sur coast, with areas like Pfeiffer Beach and the Bixby Bridge providing one iconic landscape after another. Alongside the stunning ocean views and adjacent lush wildlands, expect a plethora of wildlife to come into view along the Big Sur coast. Sightings along this wild edge of the continent often include elephant seals, California condors, and the wild tourist pulled over to take pictures.

Monterey

The capital of Spanish California from 1770 to 1882, Monterey is a small city with many historical sites and modern attractions. At one time, Monterey was an important city in the fish canning industry, but that all collapsed with the disappearance of the sardine. Cannery Row, originally the fish packing area, is now a beautiful restored neighborhood, with shops and restaurants. Also along the waterfront are Fisherman's Wharf and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Nearby, Point Lo-

bos State Natural Reserve in Carmel and 17-Mile Drive offer some lovely coastal scenery.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a charming and romantic seaside destination renowned for its scenic sandy beach, historic Spanish mission, and enchanting village ambience. In a setting that feels far removed from the real world, tree-shaded streets are lined with lovely Victorian buildings and little storybook cottages. Hidden passageways and quiet courtyards add to the magical old-world ambience. The fact that Carmel does not use numbered street addresses (GPS cannot pinpoint a specific location) encourages wandering. Curving around a cove of Carmel Bay, this magnificent stretch of soft white sand is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The beach has a secluded feel that is rare in a popular resort town. With its pristine shoreline, rocky bluffs along the coastline, and crashing Pacific waves, Carmel Beach is an inspiring nature site. The iconic cypress trees add interest to the scenery, which has its own distinctive look that is much different from nearby Santa Cruz beaches. Visitors should be aware that this is not a beach for swimming, as dangerous rip currents and rogue waves are common, and there is no lifeguard on duty. Despite this, however, or perhaps as a result, it is an excellent place for nature walks, sunbathing, and playing volleyball or frisbee. The stunning scenery more than makes up for the fact that swimming is usually off-limits Running parallel to the beach and Scenic Road, the gravel Scenic Bluff Path gives tourists the chance to admire the ocean panoramas from above. Multiple stairways lead between the beach and path, allowing

visitors to easily move from one to the other. Couples looking for the perfect place for a romantic sunset will not be disappointed.

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve

South of Carmel, about 15 minutes from Monterey, is a beautiful stretch of coastline that is encompassed by Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. The reserve is one of the best places to visit for photography, walking, or simply appreciating nature. The outstanding scenery consists of dramatic granite cliffs and unusual rock formations created by the erosion, as well as headlands, caves, and rock-enclosed ponds. Waves crash on the rocks, while tidal pools reveal small marine life. A number of interesting hiking trails in the area offer fabulous views over the headlands, ocean, and meadows. If you are lucky, you may spot sea otters; seals; sea lions; and during the winter months, whales. Point Lobos State Natural Reserve also includes a large section of underwater area, where scuba diving is popular.

Bixby Bridge

An iconic symbol of the Big Sur coastline, the Bixby Bridge is photographed by tourists from across the world. Also known as the Bixby Canyon Bridge, this modern marvel of engineering was completed in 1932 and remarkably stands 260 feet above Bixby Creek. Parking can be tight to check out the bridge and pose for a picture, but numerous pulloffs and parking areas line the north side of the bridge. Multiple viewpoints of the bridge can also be accessed, providing plenty of angles for the thousands of cameras pointed at the bridge every weekend. | Fall 2021

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Point Reyes Shipwreck

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Monterey Bay Aquarium

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