Enchantment by the sea and earth
While we were planning our trip, many of our friends and family members suggested that we drive along the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) from Southern California to Northern California. The general consensus was that it was worth the scenic view — even if that meant adding a few more hours to our drive.
So, from Vegas we drove westward to San Simeon, stopping only for a break in Paso Robles Wine Country for a tasting at Eberle Winery. When we arrived at our motel later that night, the concierge confirmed that PCH was still closed from a mudslide earlier that year and we would have to drive an hour east to take the other highway up north until we drove past the highway closure and could continue driving north on PCH.
We woke up early the next morning to see the elephant seals at a viewing point in San Simeon. There were thousands of seals lazing about on the beach and shedding their skin at this time of year. It was strange but wonderful to see these ugly/cute creatures up so close in their natural habitat. After a brief visit with the elephant seals, we were on our way to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
I seriously got emotional while I was at the aquarium. Seeing all the marine animals and the aquarium’s exhibit on plastic pollution in the ocean emphasized how much humans negatively affect ocean life. I urge everyone to do their part in conserving the environment by taking gradual steps to reduce their single-use plastic consumption.Just cutting out plastic bags, straws, and cutlery can have a huge impact.
After visiting the aquarium, we hit the road again and arrived in Oakland where we would be staying for the next few nights to visit family. My cousin had her wedding reception on a foggy morning at a beautiful venue within Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley, which could only be reached by a slow drive up the winding mountain road.
We also spent some time exploring the campus of UC Berkeley, and Chinatown in San Francisco. Even though it was renowned for being the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, I felt disappointed when we arrived. There were a lot of souvenir shops and my relatives and I agreed that none of the restaurants could even compare to the ones in Toronto’s Chinatown.
On our last day, we visited Pier 39 and saw some more sea lions, took a short cruise to Alcatraz Island for a tour of the infamous penitentiary, stopped by Lands End Park in San Francisco for an iconic view of the Golden Gate Bridge, and ended with a short hike at Muir Woods National Park. Walking among the redwoods felt truly magical.
The forest seemed as if it existed on a younger Earth; a world where I could forget about all the industrialization, pollution, and deforestation that occurs on the outside of its serene bubble. Even though it was an enchanted visit, it was tinged with a feeling of despondency knowing that not all parks and forests and the wildlife that inhabit them are lucky enough to be protected from negative human influences.
There were lots more things to see in San Francisco, but I would have to save them for next time. I left on a flight to Calgary, Alberta, for the final leg of my trip.
Catch up on parts one, two, and three of my trip here.
*Update July 12, 2018: Click here to read Part 5.