A Magical Day at San Simeon Bay

Tags

beach, beauty, California, Central Coast, coastline, hiking, Nature, sailing, San Simeon, San Simeon State Park, travel

Dale and I spent a magical day recently at San Simeon Bay along Highway 1, just below Hearst Castle on the California central coast. Quite unexpectedly, we found two sailboats rolling gently in the bay and three elephant seals lulling in the sun. Something we’ve never seen here before. Although elephant seals are found abundantly in this area, it’s unusual to find them on busy beaches. Signs warned us to beware, as these wild creatures can bite should they be disturbed.

One of the boats looked like La Gitana, the 46-foot sailboat that was our home for six years when we sailed around the world. Nostalgia for that magic time hit heavy. I almost felt like I could see our son at the bow with his fishing line thrown into the bay, our daughter riding the boom as she liked to do, and Dale and I sitting on the aft deck with two big green buckets and a wooden plunger, doing laundry.

Further up the beach was a quaint hut made of driftwood that some surfer had built. Like ones we often saw on remote beaches built by yachties when we were sailing.

Along the way as we hiked up the bluff and out to the point, we stopped to visit the largest eucalyptus trees we’ve ever had the pleasure to meet, with their rainbow bark, elephantine trunks and long octopus arms. Magical!

When we reached the point, we could look back at the bay and get a faraway glimpse of Hearst Castle high in the hills, another magical place. On the other side were beautiful views of the coastline.

The last time we came here we headed back after reaching the point, but this time we turned north to a path lined by pine and eucalyptus trees that parallels the coast.

The path grew narrower and darker and spookier as we walked, the trees thicker and more gnarled, blocking out the sun. Sharp branches reached out to grab and tree roots rose up to trip. On one side we could hear the hidden ocean waves whispering warnings to us, while all around the creepy creaks and groans of trees sent cold shivers down our spines. It seemed to go on forever. We could almost imagine ourselves as Hansel and Gretel lost in the stark, dark woods just before reaching the witches gingerbread house. Our path eventually opened up to a sun-filled view of the coastline stretching out as far as we could see, with the very faint outline of the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse in the far misty distance.

On the hike back to the beach we came across a strange trail of dark, oily splats along the path, as if dropped from some huge creature flying by. Dragon shit, we surmised, looking up as if to see the dark shadow of reptile wings wheeling by. A fair and fitting end to our magical day at San Simeon.

A Walk to Point San Simeon

Tags

Central Coast California, Hearst Castle, hikes, Nature, Point San Simeon, San Simeon, San Simeon Bay, travel, walking, wild flowers

Recently my husband and I and friends took our dogs walking out to Point San Simeon, just below Hearst Castle off Highway One. We’ve lived on the central coast of California nearly all our adult lives, and visited this area often, yet it’s the first time we’ve walked to the point. It won’t be our last. It was one of those breathtakingly beautiful days, and the scenery was stunning. Well worth sharing a few photos with friends.

We took Highway 46 over to the coast, the hillsides sprinkled with wild flowers.

Along the way we catch glimpses of the ocean . . .

. . . including Morro Rock.

Here’s a view of San Simeon Bay, with the pier and a peek of Hearst Castle on the hillside.

A closer view of the Castle.

We start our walk on the beach looking out at the point.

Here’s where the trail begins. Looking back at the beach and pier.

Friends on the trail.

Back-lit pines.

Wild flowers and fallen oaks.

Some of the largest and most spectacular Eucalyptus trees we’ve ever seen. . .

beautifully sculpted . . .

and inspiring . . .

wayward philosophers . . .

. . . explorers . . .

. . . and poets.

Finally we reach the point, complete with a lone fisherman and an elephant seal sleeping in the half-shade.

In case you missed him in the last photo.

Dazzling shades of blue around the sea-washed rocks on the point.

One last backward glimpse of the pier and beach as we head back to the car.

We take the back roads home past Hammersky Vineyard and Inn . . .

. . . past vineyards and grazing horses . . .

. . . past live oaks and wild flowers . . .

. . . to reach the tree at the bottom of our driveway (you can see our roof-line at the far right edge). I never fail to feel blessed by the beauty of the landscapes where we live.