Point Dume State Beach and Natural Preserve, Malibu

Driving up the Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica to Malibu.

Drive 18 miles north up the Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica 

and you will arrive at Point Dume Natural Preserve and State Beach.

A short trail through the headlands leads to a coastal bluff which overlooks the entire Santa Monica Bay. The fresh ocean air, crystal clear water below, and the spectacular panoramic view of the entire coastline remind you of how expansive and beautiful this Earth is.

The view south towards Santa Monica and Playa del Rey.

We went at the end of January and these beautiful yellow flowers covered 

the entire headland leading up the the cliffs.

The view north towards Malibu.

Take the walk down the two flights of stairs to get to Point Dume State Beach.

We saw a ton of sea anemone and crabs in the tide pools to the right of the stairs. 

A great place to catch the sunset is at The Sunset Restaurant which is at the bottom of the hill coming down from Point Dume onto Zuma Beach. 

San Juan Bautista, California

My life has been in fast forward since December of 2011; 3 weddings, a bridal shower, a bachelorette party, a baby shower and numerous domestic and an international trip later, I have so much to share!

 Let's start with January 1st, 2012:) This was a fun day trip I took with my family in 

Northern California. We started here in San Juan Bautista and ended the night in Capitola 

watching the sunset with a cup of coffee from the popular Mr. Toots Coffeehouse.

Mission San Juan Bautista is the 15th and largest of the 21 Spanish missions 

that have been established in the state of California. 

Located south of Santa Cruz, California,

 Mission San Juan Bautista sits along the San Andreas Fault

The original floor tiles show animal tracks which were said to have been made 

when the tiles were left outside to dry when they were first made.

Statue of Saint John Baptist sculpted by Thomas Marsh

Around the Spanish Plaza still stand 30 or so historic buildings including the nunnery and the Plaza Hotel, which until 1858 were soldier's barracks. The town of San Juan Bautista is a great way to see what the California was like 160 years ago. 

Sun setting over Capitola