Big Sur post two, Highway One Beaches

A few days ago I posted about our backpacking trip to Big Sur. We took one day to backpack and camp, and one day to explore the area and Highway One. We have heard from countless people that Big Sur is the outdoorsy place to be around here. Well, other than Napa, Lake Tahoe, Muir Woods...oh wait, this whole area is scenic and beautiful!

Big Sur is about 2.5-3 hours south of the Bay Area, but totally worth the drive. A lot of the drive was boring highway, but once we hit Highway One the scenery started. We drove up and down Highway One stopping every few miles to get out and enjoy the coastal beauty. Some places the water was transparent blue, and other places we saw huge seals. There were cresting waves, miles of rocky shoreline, pristine white beaches, fog, sun, waterfalls, pine trees. Oh beauty!

It was an incredible day exploring Highway One in the Big Sur area. We did a few hikes right off the highway, and enjoyed the abandoned rugged beaches. We also stopped for lunch at a beautiful rooftop gallery restaurant that had some of the best bacon mac and cheese we've ever tasted. There are no words for that kind of delicious! We enjoyed lunch and beer in the blazing February sun with a view of Highway One and the Pacific Ocean. Does it get much better than that? I know I say that every time we get out and explore the area, but really, California has so much to offer.

 Check out the waterfall on the left side of this picture. Andy wanted to go bathe in it, but the trail didn't have beach access.

Lake Tahoe Skiing

Last weekend Andy and I went skiing at Lake Tahoe. We went to the Sierra at Tahoe ski resort to be exact. Though there are about 10 other ski resorts to chose from! Variety is always nice.

This was my first time skiing on the West Coast and Andy's second time. It was amazing, words can't describe how awesome it was! We spent our whole day in awe. The snow was packed and perfectly groomed, the sun was shining, and overall conditions were great. Beyond great in fact, perfect!

I had fun skiing on the groomed slopes while Andy would take off into the woods to ski the powder (6 fresh inches when we got there), then we'd meet up at the bottom and ride the lift to another slope. Mid-day we took a break at the tiki bar on the back side of the mountain. We enjoyed fish tacos, chips and salsa, and beer. Fish tacos have never tasted so good. And all of this to a reggae soundtrack playing on some loud speakers in the background. Does skiing get any better?

I think we have found the most ideal place to live in the whole world. Amazing skiing and beautiful beaches all within about 3 hours. That, along with laid back people, amazing food, and chill lifestyles. We are really just in awe with the Bay Area.

What are you up to this weekend? I think we plan to head into San Francisco for restaurant week. I can't wait for some amazing food, and at great prices it'll be even better.

This is where we stopped on the way home. Nothing satisfies more than an In-N-Out burger!