Celebrating Retirement Tour October 2019 - Day 16/17 Fri 18/Sat 19 Oct - PCH to Pismo Beach

Fireworks · 30 Nov 19, 12:39 AM

Friday 18 October

We really liked Santa Cruz and the hotel was great, clean, quiet and comfortable and adequate continental breakfast.

We had a stroll along West Cliff Drive to the lighthouse before leaving and I'm so glad we did, it was lovely, and really nice views.

Set off along PCH. Couldn't stop at Bixby Bridge as there were major roadworks and the construction vehicles had blocked off all the parking spots but we had stopped there in 2017 so weren't too bothered. We were more interested in completing the rest of the highway that we couldn't see in 2017 as the road had been closed because of a landslide.

Next stop was Nepenthe. It was totally rammed and we had to drive up and down the road a couple of times before we managed to find a parking spot. We weren't particularly hungry so just had a lemonade at Kevah Cafe on the patio. Stunning views, although it was a little bit misty so photos not great.

Next stop was McWay Falls. Managed to find a parking spot on the road and got great views of the waterfall.

Off again, with a few random photo opportunities and a bit of a domestic because Brian was hurtling along and we were missing out on potential photo stops 🤣Couldn't say too much though because I didn't want to take over the driving!

Arrived at Dolphin Cove Motel around 6pm. Right near the boardwalk with a gorgeous view of the sunset. However, the smallest room I have ever seen, so small that you couldn't wheel your case once you got inside the door. I also hadn't realised when I had hastily rebooked this last week of the trip that this weekend was the 93rd annual Pismo Beach Clam Festival. The place was rocking!

We ate at Pismo Fish and Chips (yes, chips not fries&#128513

and had a "chippy tea", well it was Friday and the food was excellent. Everywhere else had queues out the door.

Saturday 19 October

We didn't get a lot of sleep as the party/barbecue on the seating area outside the hotel carried on until 4am! We seriously considered ditching our 2nd night here but in the end we couldn't find much else that would be any better. Hope somewhere sells ear plugs 😴😴

Had a wander along the pier the following morning and saw about a dozen dolphins swimming at the end of the pier which was cool. Then went in search of food as breakfast wasn't included at the motel.

Even at 11am the festival was in full swing, but we managed to get the last available table at the Cool Cat Cafe for lunch. Food was really nice, I had chicken sandwich and onion rings and Brian had pulled pork sandwich and fries. Bill was $38 including tip.

We then had a wander along the beach and found some nice comfy chairs at the Sandcastle Hotel where we chilled on the patio in the sunshine for a while with a couple of glasses of wine.

We were getting a bit peckish by now but not really hungry enough for a full meal after our enormous brunch so shared a Hawaiian flatbread in The Boardroom which was really nice. Walked to the end of the pier to watch the sunset and then decided to call it a day as we were both exhausted. Hope we get some sleep tonight 🤞

Link to previous days - https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/sho... php?t=1150994

megaflyer · 1 Dec 19, 09:23 AM

Amazing photos - great trip report too so enjoying it - thank you for taking the time to write it all up 👍

**LLKJDisney** · 21 Feb 20, 10:25 AM

Great Photos! We too visited during the landslide in 2017 so are looking forward to seeing what we missed. Is Nepenthe worth a stop?

Fireworks · 21 Feb 20, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by Jakes Mom

Great Photos! We too visited during the landslide in 2017 so are looking forward to seeing what we missed. Is Nepenthe worth a stop?

It was really, really busy and we had to drive round for ages waiting for a parking spot. In the end we only had a glass of lemonade each so can't comment on the food, but the views are stunning

30 Nov 19, 12:39 AM	#1
	30 Nov 19, 12:39 AM Fireworks Excited about Disney
Fireworks Excited about Disney Join Date: Jun 05	Celebrating Retirement Tour October 2019 - Day 16/17 Fri 18/Sat 19 Oct - PCH to Pismo Beach Friday 18 October We really liked Santa Cruz and the hotel was great, clean, quiet and comfortable and adequate continental breakfast. We had a stroll along West Cliff Drive to the lighthouse before leaving and I'm so glad we did, it was lovely, and really nice views. Set off along PCH. Couldn't stop at Bixby Bridge as there were major roadworks and the construction vehicles had blocked off all the parking spots but we had stopped there in 2017 so weren't too bothered. We were more interested in completing the rest of the highway that we couldn't see in 2017 as the road had been closed because of a landslide. Next stop was Nepenthe. It was totally rammed and we had to drive up and down the road a couple of times before we managed to find a parking spot. We weren't particularly hungry so just had a lemonade at Kevah Cafe on the patio. Stunning views, although it was a little bit misty so photos not great. Next stop was McWay Falls. Managed to find a parking spot on the road and got great views of the waterfall. Off again, with a few random photo opportunities and a bit of a domestic because Brian was hurtling along and we were missing out on potential photo stops 🤣Couldn't say too much though because I didn't want to take over the driving! Arrived at Dolphin Cove Motel around 6pm. Right near the boardwalk with a gorgeous view of the sunset. However, the smallest room I have ever seen, so small that you couldn't wheel your case once you got inside the door. I also hadn't realised when I had hastily rebooked this last week of the trip that this weekend was the 93rd annual Pismo Beach Clam Festival. The place was rocking! We ate at Pismo Fish and Chips (yes, chips not fries&#128513 and had a "chippy tea", well it was Friday and the food was excellent. Everywhere else had queues out the door. Saturday 19 October We didn't get a lot of sleep as the party/barbecue on the seating area outside the hotel carried on until 4am! We seriously considered ditching our 2nd night here but in the end we couldn't find much else that would be any better. Hope somewhere sells ear plugs 😴😴 Had a wander along the pier the following morning and saw about a dozen dolphins swimming at the end of the pier which was cool. Then went in search of food as breakfast wasn't included at the motel. Even at 11am the festival was in full swing, but we managed to get the last available table at the Cool Cat Cafe for lunch. Food was really nice, I had chicken sandwich and onion rings and Brian had pulled pork sandwich and fries. Bill was $38 including tip. We then had a wander along the beach and found some nice comfy chairs at the Sandcastle Hotel where we chilled on the patio in the sunshine for a while with a couple of glasses of wine. We were getting a bit peckish by now but not really hungry enough for a full meal after our enormous brunch so shared a Hawaiian flatbread in The Boardroom which was really nice. Walked to the end of the pier to watch the sunset and then decided to call it a day as we were both exhausted. Hope we get some sleep tonight 🤞 Link to previous days - https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/sho... php?t=1150994 Edited at 10:45 PM.

1 Dec 19, 09:23 AM	#2
	1 Dec 19, 09:23 AM megaflyer Imagineer
megaflyer Imagineer Join Date: Nov 07	Amazing photos - great trip report too so enjoying it - thank you for taking the time to write it all up 👍

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