Spring Break 2017: Central California Coast

Twenty years from now, when we look back on Spring Break of 2017, I hope we'll remember collecting seashells in Santa Barbara, dipping Charlie's toes in the ocean for the first time, spying a favorite Office actor at Sunday brunch, driving through rolling hills next to vineyards and ocean, seeing whales off the coast of Carmel, spotting stingrays and sea anemone at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, chasing waves in the ice cold ocean in Half Moon Bay, roasting marshmallows next to the Pacific, exploring playgrounds in San Francisco, looking for treasures in Chinatown, climbing insanely steep hills in San Fran and doing all the touristy stuff: driving down Lombard Street, touring Alcatraz, riding trolley cars, and eating ice cream while taking in views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

But in the moment, our week-long road trip was exhausting, from the first night trying to settle down three excited boys in a single hotel room, to the hour-long wait on the LAX tarmac, to dragging three tired boys on an ill-fated 3-mile walk through San Francisco, to the whining and temper tantrums across the state of California. Was it worth it? Ask us in 20 years.

Road tripping in our rental. 

Looking for seashells in Santa Barbara

Seashell finds

In awe at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Near Monterey

Charlie was glued to Kent most of the vacation.

Exploring the coast near Carmel

G in Carmel

We could see whale spouts off in the distance.

Lighthouse south of San Francisco

Playing in the freezing ocean and loving it.

Half Moon Bay

Probably the highlight of the trip for Miles was roasting marshmallows by the ocean. 

Sign at Alcatraz

Alcatraz watch tower

Miles imprisoned at Alcatraz

Miles, Grant and a bridge

Trolley car ride 

 

Until next time, San Francisco...or until we recover from this time.