Today was our last full day staying in Carmel and we headed South to take in some of the Pacific coast views along the iconic Highway 1 route and explore the picturesque Big Sur state park.

It’s a little publicised fact that the Pacific coastline is subject to frequent fog, as we have witnessed since arriving in San Francisco. You only have to go a few hundred yards inland to get blue sky and sun but anywhere near that cold Pacific Ocean and the fog is really pervasive.. unfortunately that’s where the HW1 route passes by but we did get a few clear spots.

The Big Sur, a popular hiking and wilderness camping resort, was clear, sunny and forested with massive Redwoods and Oaks. We took the walk up to Valley View and found ourselves at eye level with soaring Redtailed Hawks.

At first we wondered where the amazing views were, some of these shots could have been taken in Cornwall!

A stop for lunch before the Big climb.

Mike, haven’t you taken enough photos?

My, that’s a big one!!

It’s little Mike!

A wood nymph found along the way 😂.

Finally at the top of the trail.

Back to base for a refreshment as the sun goes down.

And what a fabulous Pacific Sunset.