going South on Highway N1

Half Moon Bay

When I was planning this trip my father who joins me was not a big help to be honest. He did not care what we do and where we go. But he wanted to drive a Ford Mustang convertible. So I booked one and we picked it up at the airport after the San Francisco days. I would not suggest you to drive through this huge and crowded city by a car.
To be honest my father was right it was a great car and we had just enough space the two of us.

From now on the directions of our trip were quite easy. We drove south as long as we could and then turned into the land up north. After that west and back south to the airport.

On our route to the south our first break was in Half Moon bay. We wanted to see the beauty of the ocean.

outside our Carmel Inn - the lamp liter

The following route is breathtaking, beautiful, amazing and I would almost say something for your bucket list! The road leads along the sea, sometimes it sticks on the hillside, then again at sea level and every curve made the heart beat faster, which probably hides behind it. Take your time for these miles and drive from north to south so you always can take a photo stop easily and quickly.  

The raods lead us to Carmel-by-the-Sea and lucky as we were we found a very cozy Inn. It was so nice and calm that we had to stay for 2 nights. 

Carmel is a small town located on this beautiful beach. Lots of shops, restaurants all of the quite expensive but nice. So we headed for the only bar and were quite surprised that it was not expensive ;)

on 17-Mile Drive

 Carmel is a very good location for visits of nearby state Parks such as point Lobos or Big Sur and the 17-Mile Drive at Pebble Beach. Although the last one is not really a state park more like a forest with golf course and accommodation. But you can drive through and explore the nature.

Big Sur State Park was one of the highlights on the coast. We went for 2 hikes (first one was so quick and easy we needed more...) It is all about huge threes and hiking up the mountains. I loved this place since it was quite calm and being in the woods always gives me peace.

one of many spectacular views on Highway N1

 We both would have loved to stay longer in this region but we were short in time and eager so see more of the state of California.
So after 2 nights we continued our road towards Cambria and L.A.
I thought the way to Carmel was beautiful which it was but what I saw between Carmel and Cambria was even more beautiful, breathtaking.....