It seems that 2010 is going to be the “year when Catherine travels.” Given my love of travel, this is not exactly a hardship.
This year will be the fifth time I take a Christmas at the Beach photography trip and I’ve decided that I’m going to celebrate that by going to a beach on the West Coast. I’m looking forward to it, but the decision has led to a problem.
I have no idea what West Coast beaches are the kind I like to visit. So I need help. Here are my criteria. Any suggestions?
- Cold, but not snowy. I want to have to wear long sleeves. At the same time, I’m a Southerner. We consider 55°F to be sweater weather and 45° is coat weather. We won’t go outside if it’s freezing or below.
- Fairly isolated. No crowds. I don’t mind a few people but I’m going there to be off by myself and I’d like it that way.
- Places to walk. I love unique little towns. As long as I can get myself something to eat and some gas, I don’t mind if the place is essentially shut down.
- Things to see. I’m going there to take pictures, after all.
Obviously, San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco are out. But what places would be in? I don’t mind outlying areas of these three as long as the rest of my criteria are met.
For reference, the past places I’ve liked the best were Savannah/Tybee Island in 2009 and Kitty Hawk to Cape Hatteras in 2005.
I may choose not to use a suggestion, but all of them are welcome!
I LOVE the Monterey Peninsula & Big Sur coast down to San Simeon. Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea, etc.
There is amazing scenery, it is sweater weather, the towns are very walk friendly, and although there are crowded areas (Monterey & Pacific Grove) there are also very isolated places as well. You have the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway US-1) hugging the coast, and amazing, photogenic scenery.
If you get tired of the isolation, there is the Monterey Aquarium, Historic Cannery Row (which is now tourist trap shops that play on the history, but fun nonetheless) and you are close to wine country too.
From what I hear, the coast north of San Francisco is also excellent, all the way up to Washington State.