Highway 1 - Point Lobos State Reserve

THE GOODS:
Our California Pacific Coast Highway 1 can't be described by words or pictures. You must see, feel and breathe deeply in order to truly grasp the concept of the dramatic Pacific Coastline. Point Lobos State Reserve is no different. Some say that this is the best spectacle of the meeting of land and sea. Point Lobos State Reserve is just about 3 miles past Carmel and just south of Monestary beach (also know as mortuary beach to the locals because the surf is relentless here.) This is a great area to bring the grandparents or let the kids get some hands on experience with earths greatest treasure.
Point Lobos Hiking Map Online



Whalers Cove and Cabin


Point Lobos has no camping at the reserve but it is plentiful elsewhere up and down the coast. The coastal bluff trails at the reserve are spectacular and teaming with life. I have been up and down the California coastline many times and I feel that Point Lobos is definately on my top ten list for best coastal experience. Whalers Cove is amazing and a natural seaport for fisherman past. Beginning divers find peace from the relentless waves as well as every other coastline species along the Point Lobos Reserve at Whalers Cove. Over 250 different animal and bird species as well as over 300 different plant species call the reserve home. The rules add up here so be sure to pick up brochures and read up.

THE BAD: The Pacific Coast Highway 1 is a beautiful drive, however many dangers hide within the beautiful vistas and white sandy beaches. You want to keep your distance with other cars as much as possible because people tend to get caught in the glory of the scenery and forget even for a second that they are driving and could cause some serious injury. Speeds are posted up to 55mph through this area and a lot of highway 1. Also be aware of the sharp turns that sneak up on you and if you aren't paying 100% attention you could fall victim to the steep cliffs. Also keep safe if you happen upon Carmel River Beach just north of the reserve. It is a powerful and luring presence has taken several lives. Locals know it as mortuary beach, the surf is relentless here. Read all signs at this beach! Here is a pic of Carmel River Beach.

This is looking north from Point Lobos to Carmel River State Beach.


Point Lobos State Reserve Website

Point Lobos Scuba Diving

Camping near Point Lobos State Reserve and the Monterey Bay

Highway 9, Los Gatos to Santa Cruz
From the city through the mountains to the beach!

Downtown shot of Boulder Creek, Highway9
Highway 9 runs from Los Gatos through the Santa Cruz Mountains to Santa Cruz at the intersection of River Street to downtown Santa Cruz and the Pacific Coast Highway 1. Highway 9 passes through the cities of Los Gatos, Saratoga, Boulder Creek (gateway to the San Lorenzo Valley), Brookdale, Ben Lomond, Felton and finally the city of Santa Cruz home to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Heading any direction you'll pass by camping spots, rv resorts, mountain biking, hiking, and equestrian trail heads, swimming holes, historic relics, golf courses, county parks, and train rides all while enjoying the comfort of Santa Cruz's most diverse road side merchants providing food, fuel and lodging for any need.




American Flag in Felton, CA
The California State Park system follows highway 9 all the way through, first passing by Henry Cowell and Fall Creek Redwoods State Parks in Felton to California's first State Park, Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Boulder Creek. At the intersection of Highway 9 and skyline Blvd (Highway 35) you'll be at the home of Castle Rock State Park system featuring some of the areas best adventures. If you decide to traverse the Santa Cruz Mountian's highway 9 just remember to drive safe, watch for sharp turns and keep an eye out for bike riders on certain sections of the road. This stretch of highway has taken many lives so be careful. Make sure your car is in tip top condition before hitting the road.

(Highway 9 is the blue line on the map)

GOOGLE MAP of adventures along highway 9 (camping, hiking, swimming holes, vistas, backpacking, historic POI....you get the point now get outside and do something! Also note that sometimes the page doesnt shift properly and the highlighted route may not automatically adjust to different zoom levels.


View San Francisco and Monterey Bay Area Adventures in a larger map


If your cruising highway 9 and your in Boulder Creek:
San Lorenzo Valley Museum
12547 Highway 9
Boulder Creek, California 95006
831- 338-8382

Redwood Resort
150 Grove Street
Boulder Creek, CA. 95006
831-338-3413

Big Basin State Park
21600 Big Basin Way # 406
Boulder Creek, CA 95006-9063
(831) 338-8860

Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club
16901 Big Basin Way
Boulder Creek, CA 95006-9218
(831) 338-2111

Joes Bar

13118 Highway 9
Boulder Creek, CA 95006

(831) 338-9417

Boulder Creek Brewery
13040 Highway 9
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
(831) 338-7882

Passing through Brookdale:
Brookdale Inn and Spa
11570 Highway 9
Brookdale, CA 95007
(831) 338-1300

If your going to Ben Lomond, California:
Ben Lomond Market
9440 Mill St
Ben Lomond, CA 95005-9301
(831) 336-3900

Henfling's Tavern

9450 Highway 9
Ben Lomond, CA 95005-9228

(831) 336-9318‎

Bobs Stop and Get It
Ben lomond California
9050a Highway9,
Ben Lomond ca 95005
E Mail, bobby5x@att.net
831-336-9496

Coffee Nine

95009 Hwy 9

Ben Lomond, CA 95005

831-336-4521

Passing through Felton, Check Out
Roaring Camp Railroads
P.O. Box G-1,
Felton, CA 95018
(831) 335-4484

Henry Cowell State Park
Gift Shop
831-335-3174

Bay Area Satellite Poster

I first saw these beautiful satellite posters online. Since I am from the Bay Area (Santa Cruz Mountains - Boulder Creek)I was immediately sold on this product. I was anxious for the Monterey Bay Area satellite poster to arrive and when UPS delivered it I was in awe of the beauty of this poster. I immediately got it framed and hung over my desk in my office. I have hung lots of posters in my lifetime as I moved from one place to the other but out of all the things I have hung this Monterey Bay Area poster beats them all.

In fact I had a lot of friends asking me about it. A few wantd one of their own. So I bought a couple of them and my friends have never bothered me about it again! Then when my friends friend called me up to get one I knew I had to help more people out. So if you are looking for a new, cool poster for your office, garage or home wall then check ot my ebay store and buy one (or two or three if you have friends like mine!).

Click on the link below to go to ebay and check out the poster for yourself.
Monterey Bay Area Satellite Poster

Eagle Rock - Big Basin State Park, Santa Cruz County

Eagle Rock, Big Basin, California, United States


Eagle Rock is probably one of my favorite spots in all of California, and perhaps the world. It is a nice hike to the top and the view looks over my childhood home at the Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club. So this spot has significant meaning to me as I spent a lot of my youth in these mountain ranges. Anyway, Eagle Rock was once a fire lookout tower location for the CDF forest service. Now it is just an abandoned building with unfortunately, a lot of grafitti. But none the less it is still 360 degrees of pure Santa Cruz Mountains beauty. Also you can see Buzzards Roost which is another favorite of mine. The round trip hike is probably a little over 3 miles. The first picture was taken before the grafitti!


Directions:
Now growing up here I know of a couple fun ways of getting to Eagle Rock. The most popular way is go towards Big basin from Boulder Creek or through Watermans Gap at the other end of 236. If you decide to come through Boulder Creek go past the Boulder Creek Golf and Country Club. Head to Little Basin and go left all the way to the Hewlett Packard entrance. Park here but dont block the entrance. Hike up the hill and your on the Eagle Rock trail.

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