Breakfast today was a bit meager. Having breakfast at the reception isn't really the best thing. So we set off relatively early along Highway No. 1 to the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes. On this part of the route, from Morro Bay to Simi Valley, the drive took us not directly along the Pacific Ocean, but a bit inland. The hinterland here is largely used for agriculture. We saw full strawberry fields in October, and avocado fields, so we think they were avocados. You can find yesterday's post, where we drove Highway No. 1 from Marina to Morro Bay. here.
Highway No. 1: Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes
To the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Once we arrived, we had to drive along a desert road the likes of which we'd previously only seen in the UAE. Everything was covered in sand and blown away. The road led to the beach, where we found a large parking lot.
Today, the weather was again quite hazy and foggy. The surfers didn't mind; the waves were high enough. We watched them for a while.
Environmental protection in Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Park
A woman approached us and introduced herself as a ranger. She asked where we were from and if this was our first time in the dunes. She explained where we were allowed to walk, which was pretty much everywhere, and that we should be quiet and careful because of the animals, which we shouldn't scare away. She also thanked us for recycling the plastic bottles we had just thrown away. We felt it was perfectly normal to throw them in the recycling bin. This once again confirmed the impression of wasteful American society. We had done something good for the environment and were praised. :)
On the way in the dunes
After a brief chat, we walked along the dunes. The sand was incredibly fine, yet in some places so hard that you didn't sink in. Directly behind the dry sand dunes, the green, fertile land begins. The contrast is truly striking, but also beautiful. We watched a few cows wading in the water and grazing on aquatic plants. We also thought we saw a mountain lion in the distance, but we weren't sure, as we only had a small lens with us and couldn't zoom in close enough.
Time was pressing us to move on, even though we could spend ages here. When the weather's nice and the sun's shining, you can also go swimming here. On the way back, driving through the dunes, we stopped briefly to take a few pictures. However, a passing ranger warned us not to stop, as the road is so narrow and the dunes could obscure the car on a bend, which could lead to accidents. Of course, we didn't want that, so we moved on.
Highway No. 1: Santa Barbara
Leadbetter Beach
Our next destination was Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara. On the way there, always along Highway 1, the weather improved and the sun came out. We parked in one of the large parking lots right by the beach and walked down to the water. It was quite windy but nice and warm, and we could enjoy the sun.
The beach here is huge and expansive. A cruise ship was anchored, from which small shuttle boats repeatedly brought passengers ashore. We walked a bit along the sea and collected a cache.
Stearns Wharf
Then we continued on to Stearns Wharf. Built in 1872, the pier is one of the oldest on the West Coast and forms an extension of State Street. You can only drive up and park for free if you buy something. We weren't planning on doing that, so we parked on the side of the road just before the pier entrance. Today, Stearns Wharf consists of shops, restaurants, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center. At the very end, you have a fantastic view of the Pacific Ocean. Be careful, though, because there are no railings at the end of the pier, and the water is another 3 to 4 meters lower than the platform.
To cool off in the high temperatures, we didn't jump into the cool water, but instead went to the Cold Stone Creamery on State Street. Mmm… One of the best ice creams ever.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
Afterwards, we drove to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. The courthouse, built in the Spanish colonial style, is free to visit. It's surrounded by a beautiful garden with amazing exotic plants. It's a real eye-catcher both inside and out. Apparently, there's even a rooftop terrace you can climb up to. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we couldn't enjoy the amazing view. But maybe next time. :)
Camarillo Premium Outlets on Highway No. 1
On the way to our destination today were the Camarillo Premium Outlets. We simply hadn't done enough shopping, so we had to stop here. Our favorite stores, like Tommy Hilfiger and Banana Republic, were the first to be visited. We also wanted to buy a new suitcase, as one of ours was starting to give up the ghost. The seam on the zipper had come undone, and we were worried we wouldn't be able to get it home in one piece. Unfortunately, we discovered that good suitcases at the outlet aren't exactly a bargain. Compared to online prices in Germany, they couldn't compete. So we just hoped the old suitcase would hold up. Otherwise, the selection was very good, and we were able to claim quite a few things.
Simi Valley
With full bags we went to our hotel, the Best Western Plus Posada Royale Hotel & Suites in Simi Valley. We had a room at the back, which was very nice and quiet. The room was clean and a decent size.
Under a beautiful low full moon we went to dinner in Red's Barbecue & GrilleryWe had to wait a short while for a free table and were then seated. I had a BBQ chicken breast sandwich and a Christian tri-tip. We also got a salad and could choose two sides from a long list. We didn't leave; we rolled out of the restaurant! We were so full afterward. I mean, with a whole chicken breast, I mean the double, and at least a 400g steak, it's no wonder.
The next day, we continued along Highway No. 1 to Los Angeles. You can find the post here.
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