Almanac Travel: Col’s USA Music Trip – Monterey, Big Sur, Carmel, and Pebble Beach

 

 

Day 3: Monterey, Big Sur, Carmel, and Pebble Beach

 

The weather has been quite a shock to the system after home, another hot one today, but thankfully not as hot as yesterday. Temperature around 80 degrees F today, and slightly cooler along the coast.

 

Slept like a log and didn’t wake up until 9am so a bit of a rush to start the day. Breakfast at the hotel then we hit the road for Big Sur about 5o miles away. Because of all the stops we made for photos the drive took a few hours.

 

The scenery along the coast is magnificent. Rugged exposed cliffs, surf, and rocky outcrops hold the viewer in awe.  The area has been an inspiration to writers and musicians for many years so there is a feeling of creative history in the air.

 

 

 

Looking towards Brixby Bridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is easy to tell which spots are the most popular by the amount of parked or trying to get a park, and people viewing the incredible vistas.

 

The most popular viewing spot by far is the Brixby Bridge where poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti had a shack in the gully below that was used by Jack Kerouac and many other creative types as a place to write. In a peaceful, natural environment.

 

 

Brixby Bridge

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately for us the Henry Miller Centre was closed so we are hopeful of making a quick trip back tomorrow.

 

Lunch we had at the River Inn a very popular eating and stopping place. At sea level shaded by many trees it was a cool and relaxing place to get away from the heat of the day.

 

 

The River Inn Big Sur

 

 

Diners at the River Inn cooling off from 100 degreeF heat

 

 

Returning to Monterey we drove through Carmel By The Sea where Clint Eastwood I think is still mayor. Obviously a very affluent place reflected by the houses and shops there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking over the 18th green from clubhouse

 

 

It was then onto one the major golf courses in the world to have a round of golf with Tiger. Magnificent and beautiful setting and screams money everywhere you look. I thought we would be thrown out dressed the way we were in our t-shirts, shorts and joggers! $400 for a round of golf here.

 

Finally, a quick look at the Monterey Fair Grounds where the Monterey Pop Festival occurred in 1968.

 

Tea, at a nice Italian café on Fisherman’s Wharf overlooking Monterey Bay was a great way to end the day. The short rib beef ravioli was magnificent.

 

 

 

 

It has become noticeable I have too many of the wrong clothes and not enough of the other. Definitely t-shirts and shorts are the go!

 

Cheers.

Col

 

 

 

More from Col Ritchie can be read HERE

 

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