California

8/25/2025 – 8/26/2025: Highway 1, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur, Monterey, & The Big Trees @ Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Cruising down Highway 1 felt like riding the edge of the world—waves crashing below, redwoods towering above, and every curve revealing a new masterpiece. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park delivered cinematic views and soul-stirring hikes, especially along the Ewoldsen and Tanbark Trails, where fog-draped ridges plunge into the Pacific and silence feels sacred. McWay Falls, cascading onto a hidden beach, is the kind of sight that stays etched in memory.

Monterey added a vibrant twist to the adventure: fresh clam chowder on the wharf, sushi that rivaled Tokyo, and a food scene as diverse as the marine life at the aquarium. Wandering Cannery Row and the 17-Mile Drive offered coastal charm and postcard-perfect vistas, while local breweries and bakeries made every stop a treat.

And then came the giants—Calaveras Big Trees State Park, where ancient sequoias stretch skyward like cathedral columns. Hiking the North Grove and South Grove Trails was humbling and awe-inspiring, each step a walk through living history. The air was crisp, the trails peaceful, and the trees—some over 2,000 years old—whispered stories older than any map.

From sea cliffs to forest giants, this journey was a symphony of nature, flavor, and wonder. Every mile felt like a blessing.