Amtrak to California, Part 5: Pinnacles National Park and Pismo Beach

Monterey to Arroyo Grande and Pismo Beach (7 Photos)

 We left Monterey with great reluctance, hoping to return someday, perhaps from the north via San Francisco.  Instead of taking Highway 1 again heading south, we chose the alternate route along Highway 101, essentially a divided, flat highway.  We had plans to picnic and hike at Pinnacles National Park, before heading into San Luis Obispo for the afternoon, and then on to our final motel in Arroyo Grande.  We also had plans to spend the evening at the beach.  All went according to plan, although the temperatures grew hotter and hotter the more we went inland.  We passed the world's largest lettuce growing area, and we recognized most of the brand names as ones we buy year-round back in Canada.  At Pinnacles NP it was 95 degrees F. when we arrived.  It was a very warm hike!

Our hike at Pinnacles National Park led us between the mountains seen ahead.  Once in the canyon we climbed onto high ledges on the lighter coloured left side mountains, returning through a cool, very dark cave on the darker mountains seen on the right.  It was tinder dry here, and hot.  A standby fire engine was parked at the trailhead.

At one point the return trail enters a narrow, twisting cave which also involves some
climbing.  It's not unlike climbing through a birth canal and emerging into the light.
We needed a flashlight, and wish we had bought a second one at the visitor center.
We saw some sleeping bats down there, too.

Two people sit near the entrance to the cave, Pinnacle NP.  It was cool and dark in here, a
welcome respite from the intense light and desert heat beyond.

 After hiking we continued driving south to San Luis Obispo, visited briefly on our northbound journey.  I settled in at SLO Brewery,  while Deb sought out a nearby cafe and then strolled through the lovely downtown.  It was much cooler here, near the ocean.  Later we drove the short distance to our final motel, seen here and below.  I tried an Oatmeal Stout and some IPA at SLO Brewery.

 The impressive lobby of the Best Western Casa Grande Inn, our final resting place, so to speak.  Just across the street was a fun brewery and taproom called Manrock!  I had Follow the Crow IPA!  A very short drive from here was Pismo Beach, where we spent the evening.

 Pismo Beach sunset, California.  It was just as lovely there as the picture!

 The beach and pier of Pismo Beach.  This is a magical area.  We ate dinner at a little place just off the beach, offering craft ale taps and veggie burgers.  The moon was waxing.  It would be full on our second night aboard the eastbound Southwest Chief, and we would see it from the observation car.

To be continued....