Unfortunately, quite a bit of the road along the beautiful Californian coast has been closed for quite a while, due to mud slides, so we had to start off doing the inland route. It was quite an overcaste day anyway, so the coast line wouldn't have looked it's best. Luckily we drove the coastal route many years ago.
The first part of our journey was very flat, through the what they call the salad bowl of America. After a short while we were surprised to see we were driving through quite pretty hills.
Finally we were able to turn back into the lower, southern part of Big Sur and we stopped at Elephant Point to view the amazing site of hundreds of Elephant Seals relaxing along the beach.
These two big fellows were having a bit of an altercation.
A few decided to be a bit more active.
This little ground squirrels seem to have invaded all the beaches we have seen in California. They are not timid. Squirrels are related to the rodent family and I think these ground squirrels are very closely related.
Through the rain and mist we could see Hearst's Castle high up the hill above the village of San Simeon. Basically it was the private playground and museum of media tycoon William Randolph Hearst, who called the hill La Cuesta Encantada, the Enchanted Hill. He even had large private zoo up there.
Bill on the way up through the garden of Hearst’s Castle.
The front of the 'Casa Grande' is like a medieval cathedral really. It was designed by Paris trained, San Franscisco architect, Julia Morgan. The whole place epitomises the glamour of the 1930's and 1940's. The mist gave the castle and garden a mystical look.
At least it was no longer raining.
We could only imagine how beautiful the view over the ocean would be on a clear day.
Some really lovely sculptures at this place, genuine Greek and Roman.
A golden balcony.
One of the Renaissance guest cottages. There were rooms around the grounds for 36 guests. All of them celebrities or famous in some way. They were free to do as they wished during the day, but were required to eat in the main house each night.
Lovely tiled stairway next to genuine Ancient Egyptian statues, the Sekhmet Goddess of war.
The Assembly Room, inside the house. It is so over the top, decorated with an eclectic collection of art and antiquities from Spain, France and Italy.
Italian misericord stalls. They would make uncomfortable seats for guests we imagine!
The dinning room, or refectory as he called it, with a Renaissance table.
Sauce bottles were placed on the table. Classy!!!
The billiard room has a gorgeous Spanish Gothic ceiling.
Beautiful tapestries hang on the walls. This early 16th century one depicts a stag hunt.
A tiled wall.
Hearst's exotic indoor Roman pool, made from mosaics of hammered gold and Venetian glass.
Hearst's huge private theatre.
The William Randolph Hearst State Beach with a couple of school buses, stopping off before their excursion to Hearst's Castle.
Our motel in Cambria was opposite Moonshine Beach.
The boardwalk on Moonstone Beach. It’s sunny again today.
The artist village of Cambria has an interesting old Main Street.
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