We are now at San Simeon for a two night stay.

On our way here we passed through a volcanic area with cone shaped mountains.


In the late morning we stopped at Morro Bay where the enormous Morro Rock dominates the beach. We parked near these sand dunes and walked for about a mile away from, and then back towards, the rock.


There were very few people along the beach but lots of wading birds, including this sand piper.


The wind came up suddenly from the sea, cooling things down, so we drove to the other side of the rock into Morro Harbour. It is quite an important fishing port in California and we spent a pleasant hour watching the boats come in and out.

We drove on to San Simeon, a small town on the edge of a wildlife protected area. Our room looks straight on to the ocean and coast further north. The small patio outside is very sheltered and we spent the latter part of the afternoon watching the birds and listening to the ocean.

Later we took a stroll down onto the beach and along the coast where we watched several talented surfers.

Before dinner we watched the sunset. The dark shapes are the chimnies of fire pits where people can gather to sit and watch and keep warm as night time and the breeze from the sea soon cool the air.

We have seen two lovely beaches today and spent most of our time by the ocean.