Central Coast

When we planned the California trip for spring break, we decided we wanted to do some kind of iconic, bucket list kind of vacation — and a drive up the Pacific Coast Highway fit that bill! Patrick and Beatrix had never been, and I was very young the last time I did (part of) it. So, with he helps of this awesome itinerary from a blog called "Practical Wanderlust" (we don't know Jeremy and Lia, but we would like to think we would be good friends if we ever met), that's exactly what we did.

(We would probably never make it as travel bloggers, but it would be so awesome if we did!)

So we got on the road and started driving up "The 1."

Our first stop was Santa Barbara, which was really charming. My mom lived in Santa Barbara for a short time when she was young during WWII when my grandfather was stationed there. We only stopped at the beach quickly, but I would love to spend more time there.

We then headed on to Solvang, which you might know as the town they were in for the movie "Sideways." That movie has a special place in Patrick's and my hearts, because it's the only movie we have ever snuck into (long story), so we especially enjoyed it. Solvang is actually a little Danish town plunked right in the middle of California, and it is so cute! I admire places that stick to a theme.

We got in too late to check out the stores (and we were actually staying in next door Buellton), but we had a lovely dinner at a trattoria, then went back the next day for some shopping. We stayed at, and had lunch at "Pea Soup Andersen's," which we also enjoyed.

We then headed up to Pismo Beach. Despite the fog, we very much enjoyed the beach there. The pier is known for various restaurants based out of Airstreams that park on it, and we did not visit those, but we would for sure visit this lovely little town again!

Then we spent the night at what might have been Beatrix's highlight of the trip, the iconic Madonna Inn in St. Luis Obispo, in the "Fabulous Fifties" room:

The entire resort is the kind of place you could easily spend several days, exploring the restaurants, the pool, the shop, the grounds, the trail rides...

Sadly, we only had one night, but we tried to enjoy as much of it as we could, including enjoying the pool in our big fluffy robes, petting the horses, watching people dance at the restaurant, shopping, and enjoying pink champagne cake.

We also headed into town to check out the enormous farmers market. And the next day, as we left, we headed BACK to Pismo Beach to grab delicious cinnamon rolls that we ate on the beach, which was a truly brilliant move on our part. We then headed up the road to Morro Bay, where we walked along the pier, saw adorable otters floating in the bay, ate clam chowder in bread bowls, and had the most lovely  afternoon drinking wild sour ales at Libertine Brewing.

I know, idyllic beach life, right?