Road Trippin' The USA: Central California...

SAN SIMEON & CAMBRIA

~HEADING HOME

fileId:3096224744301458;size:inter;

fileId:3096224744301471;size:inter;

We woke up bright and early in our tent on our last day. Of course, at that moment, we didn't actually realize it would be our last morning on the road. First order of business was to do the showering and getting ready things and then tear down our little campsite. Then we were back on Highway 1, winding our way south.

fileId:3096224744301395;size:inter;

fileId:3096224744301389;size:inter;

We were headed for Hearst Castle, but along the way, we stopped to enjoy the beautiful coastline here and there. At one point, just north of Hearst Castle we came up on an amazing site. There were hundreds of seals lying on the beach. We stopped to look and discovered we were at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. We didn't even know it existed! It was pretty interesting and they actually have people that can answer questions for you on site. We took a lot of pictures and then got moving for Hearst Castle.

For those unfamiliar with Hearst Castle, it is a California State Park that was once the home of William Randolph Hearst, the publishing magnate. He inherited a giant land parcel and then decided to build a home on it. What he built was a enormous estate that was much like a castle. He actually purchased a great deal of his furniture in Europe and the whole place looked more like Versailles on the inside than a California Coastal estate. It's really an amazing property to tour. The gardens and pools are beautiful and the house has everything you could think of including a movie theater!

fileId:3096224744301407;size:inter;

fileId:3096224744301417;size:inter;

fileId:3096224744301425;size:inter;

fileId:3096224744301435;size:inter;

fileId:3096224744301437;size:inter;

fileId:3096224744301441;size:inter;

When visiting Hearst Castle, they have several different tour options and you start out with an audio-visual program that gives you the history of Mr. Hearst and the property. Then you can tour the house and grounds. Depending on which tour(s) you select will depend what you get to see. We enjoyed seeing this grand home, but what I really wanted to do was swim in the pools!

We finished touring the "castle" and decided to head into Cambria for a late lunch/early dinner. Over pizza, we discussed our options. We had planned to spend the night somewhere around Cambria or down in Santa Barbara and maybe go to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area on our way home the next day. But, we were starting to feel tired and decided we'd just go home and save Santa Monica for another trip.

Since we were in Cambria, we decided we'd still stop by Nitt Witt Ridge before we got back on the road. I know, you probably don't even know what Nitt Witt Ridge is! Actually, Nitt Witt Ridge is a big home in Cambria that was built from trash and recycled items. A man basically put it together piece by piece in the 50s and 60s. He isn't around anymore, but a couple purchased it and give tours. Unfortunately, since we weren't well prepared, we did not get to go on a tour, but we stopped by and took a look at the outside of the property. I've heard good things about the tour, though, so if you're ever in Cambria, call ahead and check it out!

fileId:3096224744301447;size:inter;

fileId:3096224744301454;size:inter;

fileId:3096224744301456;size:inter;

We were off to our home in San Diego, but we did make one last stop. We were passing Disneyland in Anaheim just as the fireworks started, so we stopped to watch. It was sort of the grand finale to our road trip, the last hurrah before we headed for our own beds.

Comments: 9

Theresa H. Aug 3, 2007, 7:48pm EDT

Awww... What a nice trip! Thanks for sharing.

I'm in LA, so I'll have to look up Nitt Witt Ridge for a day trip...

reply to this comment

Lisa Gensheimer Aug 4, 2007, 11:18am EDT

Is this really the end? I have enjoyed your series so much, I had hoped, like a good book, it would go on and on. Thanks so much Jennifer!

reply to this comment

Diana Raabe Aug 4, 2007, 12:53pm EDT

Sounds like quite a fun trip. Will you be suffering any travel withdrawal now that it's all over?

Great photos, Jennifer.

reply to this comment

Alainia~ Tha one n only~ a. Aug 4, 2007, 3:06pm EDT

I really enjoy your travel articles! You always look like you are having tons of fun! I would like to visit San Simeon someday!

reply to this comment

Jennifer St.Antoine Aug 4, 2007, 3:26pm EDT

Lisa, it's only the end of the California Trip... Eight Weeks Across America is only about half way through, so keep reading! I will be continuing to post articles about Road Trippin the USA every Friday (although, being on the West Coast, I sometimes don't them posted before 9pm PST, so it looks like I'm posting on Saturday!)

Thanks all for the nice comments! I love to travel and luckily my husband loves road trips as much as I do!!!

reply to this comment

donna h. Aug 4, 2007, 10:26pm EDT

I wish I could go there!

reply to this comment

carol s. Aug 5, 2007, 3:31pm EDT

Beautiful photos! I went along the coast once and to the Hearst Castle. Wow! That area was amazing.

reply to this comment

Hwy 1 is a scenic drive that everyone should get to experience once in their life! Envy you seeing the seals. Nitwit Ridge sounds a lot like a home Dennis Weaver (McCloud) built in southern Colorado out of old tires and other junk. The pools at Hearst's castle do look very inviting, especially on a hot summer day! And what a wonderful way to close the trip with the fireworks!!!

reply to this comment

diazhowardd8 diazhowardd8 Mar 28, 2009, 6:21am EDT

Hello I find something interesting:

http://hk.geocities.com/hk_disneyland_stickers/

reply to this comment

Road Trippin' The USA: Central California Coast - The End of the Road

Comments: 9

Join the Conversation

You might also like

More by Jennifer St.Antoine