Yesterday’s 12-hour drive from Phoenix, Arizona, to Monterey Bay, California, was meant to bring us to this: the ocean. Before we stepped out for a long walk along the shore, we’d stopped at our favorite cafe in these parts, known as Old Monterey Cafe. We’ll likely eat breakfast there every day we’re here. Once back near the Lovers Point Inn, where we’re staying in Pacific Grove, it was time to take off for a leisurely four-hour, four-mile walk along the ocean.

We have no set schedule, nor are we moving our lodging. This is uncommon for us and may just be a sign of getting older; that, or it’s a testament to how much we love this part of the California coast. Our love of the coast starts in San Luis Obispo and stretches to Pt. Reyes and Mendocino before we pick up again near the Redwoods before hitting Oregon. Today, though, we’ll stay within a few miles of just where we are now; there was enough driving yesterday, so I’d like a break and have a slow day.

I cannot recall how many times we may have walked past this exact spot. Was it stormy or calm on previous visits? Overcast or sunny? High or low tide? It doesn’t matter because, in some respects, it’s the first time we’ve ever walked past this, as it is as beautiful a detail as one has ever seen and adds to the overall experience that brings delight to our coastal sojourn.

Winter on the California coast might be more akin to the same season down in Florida, but the spectacle of the rocky coast, whales, and pelicans are unique to this side of the country. While others may revel in the snow of a white Christmas, we’ll take sun and ocean any day; see our Christmas trip to Hawaii for confirmation of this claim.

This fine specimen of seagull is the most ubiquitous of wildlife one will see here on the coast; the most endearing trait of these feathered friends is their raucous squawk that lets you know that you are near the sea. While some think of them as flying rats, they hold a special place in Caroline’s and my heart for their enthusiastic and flamboyant lifestyles.

More mysterious and typically unseen is the whale. We’d traveled to the Pacific Ocean dozens of times before we ever saw a hint of whale, and now it seems like we spot a few on every trip. Once you first see a spout, you are forever familiar with and know what to look for, and that’s how we eyed today’s pod. This fluke belongs to the humpback variety. Our day was made upon seeing this sight.

This is the basilica of the Carmel Mission and the resting place of Saint Junipero Serra. It’s the second time we’ve had the opportunity to visit, and the first time over Christmas. If it weren’t for the large crowds expected for Mass and our exceptionally tired feet, we may have returned, but that will have to be left for a subsequent visit. From here, we required a coffee followed by some dinner that turned out a little harder to obtain, seeing most places were booked solid due to it being Christmas Eve. The evening ended with yet another walk before we passed out by an early-for-us 9:30.