10/28: Monterey Bay Road Trip

Ever since Tiffany and I became parents, we've naturally learned to enjoy the majority of our entertainment from the comfort and convenience of home. The pandemic only gave us more reason to stay at home and avoid crowds. Now that we're both vaccinated, many things are back to "normal", and Amias is old enough to not go crazy when we're not constantly present, it seems like a good time to enjoy a little husband-and-wife quality time away from home. All we needed was a good excuse. And we were able to find just that, thanks to Elizabeth and Alex's wedding up north.

I can't imagine what it's like organizing a wedding in these times of uncertainty. Elizabeth and Alex had been planning for this day for quite some time now, and thankfully there were no unexpected pandemic-related closures or other issues that got in the way. The wedding gave us a great reason to ask Tiffany's parents to let Amias stay with them for a weekend, which we're very thankful they agreed to. We gladly submitted our RSVP's for the wedding, and from that point on, it was all about figuring out how to make the most of this very precious opportunity that would probably not come again.

We've already enjoyed two Nor-Cal road trips before, but the main difference this time is that we only planned to go as far north as Monterey Bay, partly because the wedding would be in Capitola and partly to save time and focus on going to places we had not been to on previous adventures. That's not to say that our choices of destinations were limited; the vast stretch between L.A. and Monterey Bay is full of beautiful beaches, landmarks, fun activities, and unique towns/cities that alone could keep us entertained for entire days. Oh, and let's not forget all the great food! In the end, it really came down to what we wanted to do most and how to prioritize, schedule, and budget everything so that our trip would be both eventful and relaxing. Tiffany can certainly testify to how many nights I rambled on with excitement about our ideas and plans for the trip until I realized we'd be better off going to sleep so we could be well rested for work the next morning. But at last, the long-awaited day came, and with our luggage packed and everything loaded in the car, it was time for our adventure to begin.

Day 1 (Friday 10/22): Waking up before sunrise wasn't particularly fun, but it was necessary for us to get a head start and push through any potential traffic jams. We dropped off Amias at school right when the school opened. I'm still amazed at how much he's grown, from having trouble coping with even a few minutes or hours without us to happily saying bye and going to school. Tiffany's parents picked him up from school, and amazingly, he didn't give them any trouble even when it came to sleeping at night - his first time spending the night without us. We did encounter some unexpected traffic slowdowns, but not too much to delay any of the day's plans. I'm always fascinated by the drive up the 101 Freeway, where city traffic slowly gives way to ocean and mountain views that remind us we're officially "on vacation". Having prepared some bread and coffee ahead of time, we were able to enjoy breakfast on the go. We made an impromptu rest stop at Lake Cachuma, a stop I had originally intended to make a few days later on the drive back home. With the sky still mostly clear and a high chance of rain forecasted for the weekend, any opportunity to enjoy a scenic walk and take some pictures should be seized.

That brief stop was enough to get us to our first main destination - Morro Bay. Most people know Morro Bay for the huge rock in the ocean that can be seen from many miles away. I had only heard of Morro Bay after seeing that huge rock during our previous drive home from Nor-Cal and doing some research afterwards. Yes, Morro Rock is certainly a landmark. But there had to be more to a city than a single rock, right? We began our time in Morro Bay on the southern end with a stroll along the State Park Boardwalk, with lovely views of the ocean and the estuary. There were several birdwatchers stationed with binoculars and cameras; Morro Bay is full of fascinating animal life, and while we're certainly no animal expects, we enjoyed observing the numerous birds in their natural habitat.

The central part of Morro Bay is where most of the restaurants and shops are. We stopped at a pier to see some sea otters, including a mother otter floating on the water with her pup. Then came time for lunch. Why visit a beach town if you're not going to get some seafood? The famous Giovanni's Fish Market and Galley was just a short walk away. We opted to order the food and eat outside at one of the many tables by the water, both for pandemic-related safety and to save time. And you simply can't go wrong with enjoying fresh seafood outside right by the sea! As for the food, Giovanni's has pretty much everything seafood-related. We ordered oysters, clam chowder, and the seafood combo & chips (fish, shrimp, scallops, and squid), all of which were delightfully tasty.

Continuing along the coastline, we arrived at Morro Rock, which, for those who don't know, is a volcanic rock. It's pretty cool to stand right in front of the huge rock, though generally speaking it's better to snap a selfie from a distance with the whole rock visible in the background if you want people to easily identify where you are. There's a huge beach right next to the rock, so it's good to enjoy a relaxing walk and get as close to or far from the rock as you wish. We were particularly fascinated by the adorable squirrels that live in the rocks by the water. Another beachgoer happened to be feeding them lots of nuts - not something we'd endorse or recommend, but certainly something that we found amusing, especially given that those squirrels were literally willing to jump on her lap to get more treats.

It didn't take me long to realize I should have changed into sandals before walking out on the sand. But that's one of the best things about a road trip - with the convenience of your own car, you can pack as many pairs of shoes for different occasions as you'd like and change them whenever you want. So for our next stop - another beach, I swapped out the tennis shoes for more appropriate footwear. Now we were at the northern end of Morro Bay, where a small residential street led to a little-known beach. (Gotta do your research ahead of time!) The rainclouds were certainly coming in quickly and were already low enough to cover the tip of the rock, which was now far down the shoreline. We enjoyed a nice walk across the beach and the nearby rocks, with almost the entire space to ourselves.

Our next destination - Paso Robles. Paso Robles is home to around 200-300 vineyards and wineries, so what better way to enjoy our time there than with a good ol' wine tasting experience? The drive there led us through some windy mountain roads, where we experienced the colors of fall in ways we never did in L.A. It was then that the rain began to hit harder, but by the time we arrived in Paso Robles, the sun was out and shining beautifully over endless hills of vineyards. We chose Jada Vineyard and Winery to enjoy our tasting, largely due to its unique cheese pairing option that many reviewers have praised. While some customers go wine tasting simply to taste and critique the wine, we're among those who are there for both the drinks and the experience. The server gladly entertained us with Jada's history, how each wine got its name, and some useful knowledge about wines in general (since we're obviously not experts). Our tasting experience, which took place on the balcony overlooking the vineyards, consisted of six wines, each unique in its own way. We ended up picking two bottles to take home to enjoy. It was amazing how quickly time flew by - over an hour had passed in what felt like minutes, and it was time to leave so we wouldn't be late to our next stop.

Paso Robles seems like the kind of place where everything pretty much shuts down after dinnertime and most people will have already purchased their favorite wines to enjoy at home with their loved ones. However, there is one spot that's not only open late, but also best enjoyed after the sun goes down. The Field of Light at Sensorio, hidden amidst a seemingly endless expanse of barren hills, features countless colorful fiber optic lights spread across the hills that create a unique blend of man-made art and the natural world. Created by British artist Bruce Munro, the exhibit was shut down because of the pandemic, but has re-opened and is expected to run until early 2022. There's also a new "Light Towers" exhibit farther down the property featuring 17,000 illuminated wine bottles.

Driving through the entrance - a huge metal gate leading to a long driveway winding through eerily barren hills - made me feel as if I were arriving at Area 51 or some other sort of top-secret government facility. Either you know what's inside, or you probably won't look twice. Upon going through security, we arrived at a carnival-like field of grass (probably the only green grass within miles from here) surrounded by food trucks, picnic tables, and a live band. After a brief explorational walk in the actual exhibit field (which was not lit up yet since the sun had not yet set), we bought some food and sat down to enjoy a simple dinner. Having already indulged in an excellent variety of wine, we resisted the temptation to spend absurd amounts of money on additional intoxication.

We returned to the light field just in time to watch the countless colorful lights slowly illuminate themselves as the sun disappeared in the horizon. It's definitely a unique part of the experience, so for those who plan to visit, be sure to check the sunset time and plan accordingly. It's also the best time to take pictures of yourselves with the lights in the background; Sensorio prohibits flash photography (or any other lighting aid) to avoid disrupting the overall experience, so once it gets dark, there isn't much that can make your face visible in pictures. Yes, the rule is a little annoying. But in our selfie-obsessed generation, this is a precious reminder to stop worrying about showing off our lives on social media and simply enjoy the moment. We were able to take some good pictures of the light exhibits (and I must admit I'm very impressed at how well the current-generation iPhone cameras capture night shots), but for the most part, we simply gazed at all the beauty and enjoyed soaking it in.

Tickets to the Field of Light are definitely not cheap given that all you really do is, well, walk around a field full of lights. But because they're sold in limited quantities, you can enjoy the experience without fighting through large crowds like you would have to at more popular tourist attractions. We walked through the exhibits several times and never had trouble finding spots to stop and enjoy the view. Once the sky was dark, all we saw was pretty much the lights - footpaths were only illuminated just enough so guests wouldn't fall or get lost. In a way, the experience felt a lot like going to theme park light exhibits around Christmastime. But there was no ambient music (the live band played in the dining area and the wine bottle exhibit had ambient African choir music, but the main Field of Light was silent), and there were no huge crowds, which made the experience even more unique as we immersed ourselves in a world that's so colorful yet so natural.

We enjoyed our extended romantic walk until it got too cold for comfort. It was getting late, and we still had a long drive to get to our hotel. Our hotel was in Marina, a small quiet city not far from Monterey. Driving through small roads in complete darkness definitely took getting used to, but we arrived safely, checked in, and got settled in to our room to enjoy a good night's rest.

Day 2 (Saturday 10/23): The hotel provided complimentary breakfast, but the pandemic limited that breakfast to grab-and-go bags, which we got but decided to save for later. With the wedding being in the middle of the day, it was difficult to make any other big plans around it, which actually resulted in a well-needed relaxing day. Surprisingly, we both got out of bed early enough to go out for breakfast before getting dressed for the wedding. It seems like everything in Marina happens on pretty much one major street, and our breakfast restaurant of choice - Tico's - was literally about a block down that street. (We decided to drive anyway for the sake of time, since there would be plenty of other opportunities to walk off all the good food on the trip.) Who would have guessed that in a place like this, there would be a plaza almost entirely dedicated to Asian food and groceries, just like what you would find in the San Gabriel Valley? Hidden behind a Filipino market, Tico's features American and Mexican breakfast with an Asian/Filipino family-owned feel. We were glad we arrived right when they opened at 8:00 and were the first to be seated and order our food; about 20 minutes later, every table was occupied. Our food - Huevos Rancheros and the classic Tico's Breakfast - was made even better thanks to a bottle of special Tico's hot sauce - a must-try for every guest.

With our stomachs filled, we returned to the hotel to get dressed for the wedding. There was some extra time on the way up to Capitola, so we made a stop at Moss Landing State Beach to soak in the fresh beach air. The jetty area is home to otters, seals, and other wildlife that we curiously observed. Thankfully, the forecasted storm had been delayed to the next morning, giving us a beautiful blue sky to complement the beach backdrop. It felt a bit strange being among numerous surfers and beachgoers while dressed in formal attire. But hey, it's not everyday we get to take pictures at the beach dressed so nicely, so who cares what other people think?

At last, it was time for the big event that made this whole trip happen. Elizabeth and Alex's wedding took place at the lovely Shadowbrook Restaurant in Capitola, located on a scenic hill overlooking a creek. I have to admit I felt pretty special having come all the way from L.A., especially given that it was a smaller and more intimate wedding. We met Stuart and Haley, who actually got engaged at the very same restaurant years ago, and enjoyed chatting with them after the ceremony while partaking in tasty appetizers and cocktails. Surprisingly, Tiffany favored the bourbon-based Gold Rush over the sweeter Loosey Goosey. Looks like I know what drink to learn to make at home next!

During the lunch reception, we enjoyed conversations with everyone at our table along with the great food. Apparently I was the only one at the table who chose salmon over prime rib. Tiffany and I purposely decided to choose different entree so we could share and try both, but come on, we're in a fancy restaurant in a beach town and I'm the only one who chose seafood!?

One perk of a smaller wedding is that it can be more about everybody simply having fun together than adhering to wedding day traditions. Case in point: rather than the usual bouquet and garter toss for single guests, Elizabeth and Alex opted to simply have everybody be eligible to play, and in place of the traditional projectiles, they threw bobas - a pair of adorable stuffed-animal boba tea drinks! You know a newlywed couple is truly meant to be together when each of them throws an object behind them from a distance and the objects magically land at the exact same spot - in this case, right where Tiffany was standing. Yes, she caught both bobas. Yes, we kindly requested a re-throw of the second one. And yes, Tiffany took a picture with the new winner of the second boba before the two pillowy beverages parted paths.

Something about this wedding just seemed so amazing and magical. Maybe it's the intimate atmosphere and all the friendly people we met, or the fact that this was our first time attending a wedding, mingling with guests and celebrating together, since the pandemic began. Maybe it's the unique creekside ambience or the fact that we had come so far from home. Or maybe it's the fact that a good friend from college, who I make it a goal to meet up with every time I'm in Nor-Cal, is now married. Either way, congratulations to Elizabeth and Alex. We're so honored to be part of your special day, and hope to have more opportunities in the future to meet up, catch up, get to know Alex more, and enjoy married double dates!

After the celebration ended, we enjoyed the rest of the evening in the beautiful city of Carmel, conveniently located just under 20 minutes from our hotel. We had already planned to go there early the next morning, but since our time there would be very limited due to the long drive back home (and other planned destinations along the way), we figured it didn't hurt to enjoy a less hurried walk to get to know the place first.

Aside from the majestic ocean views, Carmel is also known for its charming fairytale-style cottages built in the 1920's by Hugh Comstock, along with many hidden passageways perfect for a romantic walk and some photos. Many places were already closed or hard to see since it was getting dark, but we still enjoyed a relaxing walk to see several of the cottages and passageways. There were countless options for dinner in Carmel near the popular Ocean Avenue, but since we had a later lunch (not to mention the appetizers beforehand), we were't particularly hungry or eager to partake in another full sit-down meal. So after enjoying our walk, we returned to our hotel room and munched on some of the food in our breakfast to-go bags. It was definitely great to spend a day without super long drives or busy planned schedules; while we love to enjoy fun activities and make the most of our time, we must not forget that this is, after all, a vacation. Besides, as hard as it is to believe, there was only one more day left on our trip, and it was going to be a pretty busy one!

Day 3 (Sunday 10/24): We managed to get out of bed, pack up our belongings, and leave the hotel just after 7:00 when the grab-and-go breakfast bags were ready. The receptionist that helped us check out recommended several places to visit. Unfortunately, those would have to wait for a future vacation; with a long drive back to SoCal and a few more planned stops along the way, we had to head out to avoid being too rushed throughout the day. Back in Carmel, we enjoyed a better view of those fairytale cottages, this time in clear daylight, before making our way to our breakfast restaurant, the curiously-named Stationaery. Yes, there's a story behind the name; go check it out sometime and you'll find out for yourself. This is one of those restaurants where it really doesn't matter what type of cuisine it is, because everything is so tastefully prepared. We each got the Seasonal Latte, a perfect spice-infused coffee for a cold fall morning. Tiffany ordered a dungeness crab fried rice, and I got a French cast iron pancake. Both were mind-blowingly amazing.

After breakfast, it was time for the long but scenic drive down Highway 1. It had begun to rain quite heavily; there was a big rainstorm that would be making its way down to SoCal, but at the rate it was moving, it wouldn't get there until early the next morning. We made a quick stop at the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge for some pictures. As with most large bridges, it was best viewed both from up close and from a distance. A tip for first-time visitors - there's a small dirt road at the north end of the bridge that leads to a gorgeous view of the bridge with the ocean in the background. The drive down Highway 1 can easily take an entire day if you want to stop at every spot that looks picture-worthy. We kept our stops limited largely due to the rain. But even so, it's clear to see why this highway is considered by many as one of the most scenic drives in the country.

Our next planned stop was much farther down - in San Simeon, where a small turnout led to an empty parking lot and a foot path along the coast. I have no idea why the parking lot was empty; sure, there was still some light rain, but the view from that path would certainly be worth the stop - dozens of elephant seals, probably hundreds if you count the ones a little farther down the coast as we continued driving, enjoying their daily life at the beach. This vista point was specifically labeled as an elephant seal viewing area, but even so, I expected to see maybe only a few seals, certainly nothing this epic. Despite having skipped a few quick stops earlier due to the rain, this definitely made up for it.

We enjoyed lunch on the boardwalk at Moonstone Beach in Cambria, where we finally found ourselves ahead of the southbound rain. Thanks to all the food in our hotel breakfast bags, we had more than enough for a nice picnic, which also helped us avoid potential delays from going to an actual restaurant. What surprised me most was just how friendly the people were; I don't know much about the area, and I'm sure that it's not hard to find places where people are nicer than they are in L.A., but literally every person who passed by us on the boardwalk greeted us as if we were their friends. We only had time to stay for lunch, but I definitely hope to be back someday.

Our next destination would be in the Santa Barbara area. On the way, we returned to the now-familiar Lake Cachuma for a brief stop to enjoy the now partly sunny sky. Apparently there was some sort of major delay or hazard on the main highway, which caused our GPS to take us through a seemingly endless set of narrow residential mountain roads. We certainly weren't alone, as several other drivers seemed to be taking the exact same path. Even though I typically prefer to do my research and know where I'm going even if I have a GPS, this is one of those times when I'm certainly thankful for technological intervention, especially since the GPS provides a fairly accurate estimated arrival time, letting me know there's nothing to worry about.

At last, we made our way out of the wilderness and arrived at our next stop - Canzelle Alpacas! Located in Carpinteria not far from Santa Barbara, the farm is home to numerous alpacas, a few llamas, plus some other animals including peacocks, a black sheep, and a Filipino water buffalo. Alpacas are certainly peculiar creatures, fitting for the farm's peculiar location in pretty much the middle of nowhere. The farm tour is an entertaining experience, with our tour guide not only providing knowledge on the animals, but also allowing an abundance of time for guests to pet, feed, and take plenty of pictures with them. Having encountered so much marine life throughout this trip, it's nice to see some land animals as well to balance things out!

But of course, we're still not far from the ocean. So after saying goodbye to those alpacas, we returned to the coast for one final celebration before heading home. Several weeks ago, we had casually mentioned to a friend that we were going to Santa Barbara, and the first thing he said was "lobster rolls". So I did a little research, only to later discover that the restaurant I chose was the same one he had been to and was recommending to us (but didn't remember the name of). There's no mistaking the famous Santa Barbara Shellfish Company for anything else; it's located at the way end of the gigantic Stearns Wharf. The wharf has its own parking lot, but we opted for parking in the nearby neighborhood streets to avoid having to pay if we stayed over the free time limit. After all, the sunset hour was approaching, and what better way to enjoy the beach sunset than with a nice walk together?

Despite the cold weather, I was surprised to see the beach practically empty, given this is such a popular destination. The wharf was quite busy though, thanks to its many dining options. At the end of the wharf, we were practically in the middle of the ocean. And what better place to be to enjoy some fresh seafood? Just like in Morro Bay a couple days ago, we chose to order our food and seat ourselves at the public tables on the wharf. I'm a bit embarassed to admit that, up to just a few days before our trip, I realized that I actually didn't know what a lobster roll was; the sound of it alone was so appetizing that I didn't give it a second thought. But my gosh, it was amazing! Our seafood dinner consisted of shrimp and scallop linguini pasta, clam chowder, and uni shooter to go along with that lobster roll. Who cares that the lobsters were Maine lobsters and not the ones crawling on the sea floor beneath our feet (which, for those who didn't know, are actually not "true lobsters"!). The abundance of mouthwatering seafood, plus the sunset view and the sound and smell of the ocean all around us... with every one of our senses deeply engaged in savoring this marvelous experience, we really couldn't ask for any better.

And that was the end of our amazing three-day adventure. We completed our drive back to L.A. and picked up Amias from Tiffany's parents' house. We were all glad to see each other, though we were all way overdue for a good night's sleep. Many people agree (and find it funny) that going on vacation can actually make you more tired than before, and we certainly don't deny that, especially given that the very next morning we were both back at work as if nothing ever happened. But was it worth it? Absolutely. While it's all too easy to get caught up in the daily worries of parenting, spending several days apart from Amias made us appreciate having him with us even more. (Hopefully it made him appreciate us more, too!) And even amidst the daily challenges of work, something definitely feels different. The rainstorm had caught up to us the next morning as forecasted, as if God were reminding us that this trip is not something to just push aside as past memories. I can close my eyes and still hear the ocean waves, taste the great food, and see all kinds of marvelous sights, and they all serve as a precious reminder that life is so much bigger than what's immediately in front of our eyes. With that in mind, we can't help but realize that we're so truly thankful, we're so truly blessed, we must never forget that.