South of Sebastopol, we still traveled the coast road and scenery was incredible.
Towering rock formations all along the coast road.
Monterey cypress along the coast road. They have a unique shape to them. Like the eucalyptus, they "scream" CA coast.
Going south we went through San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge but didn't take the time to do any sightseeing in San Francisco. Both of us had been there before so, even though we both enjoy the city's unique offerings, other adventures beckoned .
Golden Gate Bridge as seen by an E-M-F - probably a rare occurrence.
South of San Francisco, we met a group of HCCA members for lunch in Santa Cruz at Polar Automotive and Radiator shop. Joe put the car up on the lift and did an oil change . Greg Woolever, Walker and Paula Woolever, Margaret and Simon and Gabriel Woolever, Sam Gurner, Todd Manoff, Luke Rizzoto, Pat and Bill Christie, Mac Nelson, Matt Day, Rich Salvera and Jim Skillikorn of the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Department were there, several with their old cars. It is always a thrill to see other people's special cars. Thanks to the Woolever's for lunch and getting everyone together. It was a real treat to meet everyone.
Several of the old cars went several miles down the road with us and then headed home while Jim Skillikorn provided Sheriff's escort until we reached Monterey. Many thanks, Jim. We felt like royalty with our own escort!
On our way to San Simeon and Hearst Castle, we passed an area where Elephant seals breed and have their young.
Elephant seals are huge, with big floppy noses, they snore while resting and have the most ungainly, blubbery bodies that undulate across the sand into the ocean. They are kind of like skunks - only a mother elephant seal could think they look cute.
Two elephant seals either playing or tussling in the surf.
Joe and I stopped just above Cambria at San Simeon to visit Hearst Castle. It is one of the most impressive residences I have ever visited. Built in the 1920-30's by William Randolph Hearst, publishing magnate and man of many talents and interests, Hearst Castle is spread out about 100 acres at the top of a hill overlooking rolling hills and the ocean far in the distance. Hearst Castle was basically a place Hearst used to entertain friends and people he considered interesting in all walks of life - authors, movie stars (Carol Lombard, Jimmy Stewart, Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin and Marion Davies among others), sports heroes, etc. He managed his many business interests from the Castle while his guests enjoyed horseback riding, swimming, tennis, the gardens, and each other. His only requirements were that the guests take meals in the dining room and attend the in-house theater in the evening.
Hearst Castle - not a very good picture, but you can get a sense of the scale of the place. This is only a small portion of the main house and there were several guest houses and wings to the main house.
This is a picture of the dining room where everyone met for meals. The whole house was built around art he acquired after WWI when many of the old castles and churches in Europe were selling centuries old treasures at auction to raise money for rebuilding their communities. As a child he had visited Europe with his mother on a year and a half "Grand Tour" and had developed a keen interest in the architecture and art treasures of Europe. When he had the opportunity, he acquired these many treasures and hired an architect to incorporate them into a home filled with items most people can only see in museums - painted ceilings 200 years old, centuries old tapestries from Belgium, carved walnut choir stalls from old churches used as wood paneling, not for their extra seating capacity. It is definitely a "must see" if you are ever in the area. there are several different tours that you can take and you could easily spend 2 days just doing tours of different portions of the complex.
Portion of the indoor Art Deco swimming pool at Hearst Castle. The walls, ceiling and bottom of the pool were royal blue, gold and yellow and white mosaic. In the middle top of the photo is the diving platform. Absolutely out of this world beautiful.
North end of the indoor pool showing more of the intricate mosaic work and one of many marble sculptures that grace the pool area, the outdoor gardens and the interior of the home. Amazing.
We spent the night in Cambria with HCCA members, Pat and Jay Burbank. Jay is a talented artist in glass and wood with examples of his work throughout the house and gardens. He is also a talented cook and dinner was w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l!! They had
invited Shirley and Jeff who were old car friends and Jeff is a professional jazz musician and it was a lively evening that we thoroughly enjoyed. Lunch was in Grover Beach with HCCA members Robin and Michelle Onsoien and Evergreen B & B members Sue and Paul Thole. After lunch we went to Robin's Restoration Shop where we saw several early Brass and Nickle era cars and more modern sportscars. Many thanks to the Thole's and to the Onsoien's for good company and an interesting stop. As it turned out, Robin Onsoien has done work for one of Joe's customers. Small world - west coast and east coast craftsmen working on the same car.
Today we continued south through agricultural fields growing lots and lots of strawberries and broccoli on our way to Santa Maria where we stayed at the Historic Santa Maria Inn built in 1917. Our hosts at this old historic inn where movie greats Clark Gable and the business magnate, William Randolph Hearst among other celebrated men and women, were Judy and Hardy Hearn who are also HCCA members and have a number of old classic cars. They were so very gracious as they shared with us their lovely old inn and told us of its history and their adventures with the old car hobby and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and prominent racing legends. We so appreciated their hospitality and enjoyed getting to know them.
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