On Monday morning we began the coastal leg of our trip and left San Francisco heading for San Jose and Santa Cruz. We reached San Jose around midday and as there didn’t seem to be much happening drove North West to Half Moon Bay. On arrival it was evident that the American people are not scared of a pumpkin and in the build up to Halloween had decided to grow enough to keep them going until Christmas (seriously, loads of pumpkins)!

From Half Moon Bay we joined Highway 1 and headed south along the coast looking out to the Pacific Ocean. We stopped off at a few beaches, a lighthouse and eventually reached Ano Nuevo State Reserve where a group of Elephant Seals were lounging around on the beach. From there we continued to Santa Cruz and arrived around 6.30. We quickly found a Motel before going for food and then bed.

In the morning we had a wander along Santa Cruz beach which is a little run down but has plenty of character and lots of entertaining Californian Sea Lions. On the way down to Monterey Bay we stopped at the sleepy seaside town of Capitola for lunch. So far we’ve clocked up around 1800miles and continued to increase as we drove 40 miles down the coast to Monterey Bay. This picturesque town has lots to offer and after driving through the wharf and past the Aquarium we found ourselves in Pacific Grove a lovely spot by the ocean where we spotted and stalked a couple of Sea Otters. Brilliant! In the evening we found a motel with a crazy Chinese lady and went for fish and chips (Laura had pasta!) by the harbour. Lovely stuff!

The Otter Stalkers!