15.06.2019 - Driving Down to Morro Bay

[Sam_Smith]

Travelling this time was DH (54) - driver/eater/moaner/petrol head/biker

Me (51) - navigator/planner/booker/spreadsheet creator/feeder

After yesterday, we had a lie in today, and did not wake up until 8:30!

Breakfast was another fill up in reception, which was lovely again, and accompanied by a liberal splattering of sarcasm

Back on the road we had 50 miles to drive to Laguna Seca. This weekend last year was World Superbike weekend and when I booked our flights with Expedia we hoped it would be the same weekend this year.

Alas this wasn't the case however, which we realised when the WSB calendar was released in March. We still decided to visit however, just so DH could say he has seen it.

The drive was really easy and we arrived at about 10am

We were met at the gate by Turbo. A real character who has been working at the track for his whole life it seemed, and we chatted for a while about his career with NASCAR. He explained that today was an open car track day, and we could stay as long as we liked. We bought a day pass for $5 and thanked Turbo for his hospitality.

The next few hours were spent watching the cars from different viewing areas on the track.

DH and the Corkscrew!

We bought a couple of coffees from the food truck, and sat chatting to some drivers.

There was also a merchandise shop, which DH bought a T shirt and Jacket from as a momento of our visit. $114.22!

OK so it wasn't bikes, but DH still loved visiting. He kept looking around saying he could not believe he was standing in the middle of LAGUNA SECA! As a diehard petrol head, the cars still got him mildly aroused

In honour of Nicky Hayden

We left around 1pm and got back on track for a drive to Monterey. This only took around 30 minutes.

The next hour was spent looking for a parking spot!

We eventually stopped at a supermarket called Andronico's and went in for a drink and a sandwich. $17.25 It was rather an upmarket establishment!

They had seats outside, so we sat and ate. We noticed that the car park had bouncers! and I mean really huge tattooed bouncers, that were stopping anyone who had parked and tried to walk off and not into the shop!

OK so we won't try and walk to the beach from here then!

Back in the car, we did try a few other roads to park, but it was a no go. The place was packed and we had no idea why. I had originally tried to book a room here tonight, but could not find anything under £500 a night, so I booked a room further down the coast. As we had another 116 miles to drive, and a couple of stops along the way we decided to move on.

The drove out of Monterey was easy!

We made our way to 17 mile drive to start our journey down the coast. This is when we realised why Monterey was

a. so busy and
b. so expensive.

It was the US Open weekend at Pebble Beach! D'oh!

The 17 Mile Drive was shut!

We had no choice but to make our way down missing out the whole 17 mile section. No Spanish Bay Inn, no Fanshell Beach and no
Lone Cypress

After half an hour we finally got these views

It was a long drive but there were plenty of stops along the way.

Bixby Bridge

More stops for the view

Big Sur

McWay Falls

The landslide from earlier in the year

The elephant seal lookout

Finally arriving at Morro Bay

We checked in to the Bayfront Inn (£259) and walked along the front in search of food.

and found the place recommended by the motel owner. Hofbrau

Fish and chips for him

and clam chowder for me

It was delicious.

Upon reflection, today was too much driving. DH was exhausted and we could not make the most of Morro Bay because we arrived so late. We had also missed out Hearst Castle and the Madonna Inn. The motel was fine but was only for tonight, so we collapsed into bed and fell straight to sleep.

[Mortimer Mouse]

Shame about Monterey, but you got some lovely coastal views in the end.