About: Central & Southern California 2021

At the end of May and beginning of June - basically right after school was out - we drove to California for our annual visit. My pictures have loaded in backwards order so that's how we are going to go through this :) Our last stop was Bakersfield, we were able to be there for Dylan's graduation party thankfully, since we wouldn't be allowed to go to his actual graduation. Carolina had been most excited about this stop because she was dying to spend time with Olivia. 

We had to make a quick stop to Downtown Disney on our way north, even though we were just days too early for non-Californians to be allowed inside the theme parks. We shopped and ate, and it was still nice to be there and at least see the gates open and people inside.

Before Bakersfield, we were in Riverside staying with the Michaelson's at their new house - we have tried to get a picture of these 4 together every year.

Stephy treated Carolina to a special gel polish pedi and mani...

and Coe taught us all how to make fresh pasta.

We finally got to enjoy some warm California sun...

and some chill time.

The first half of our trip was spent along the central coast, we did a quick hour or two in Solvang, a very cute Dutch town, and hit up as many bakeries as possible, but still should've ordered more ebelskivers!

 

Our second stop along our coastal tour was Pismo Beach, but we took a nice long hike that led us all the way to Avila Beach, where it wasn't complete cold and gloomy.

Pismo Beach, however, was very cold and gloomy.

One of our goals was to drive Big Sur in between stops, which we did (the road had just reopened from some damage)- however it was SO foggy for the most of the way - there weren't quite as many vista stops as we were hoping for. But one we hadn't counted on was the Elephant Seal beach... it was very interesting! and VERY stinky!

Our first stop was Carmel-by-the-Sea, and as it turns out, it was also our favorite! The city center area was SO ADORABLE and had a lovely small European town feel with sweet, old buildings, and lots of flowers, and bakeries.

 

One of the days, we took the 17-mile drive through Pebble Beach to Monterey and against all odds - were able to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium!

 

  

 

The rental house was a little ways out of town, but had a gorgeous view, and was literally in a protected wildlife area.

We had so much fun seeing so many new things and visiting new places - and being with our good friends and family. It seems like it was so long ago now, but it was less than a month!