Elephant Seals, San Simeon, Moonstone Beach

Elephant Seals at San Simeon. Not enough zoom on my camera for any close-ups.

These pictures were taken on a very cold, rainy, dreary day at Moonstone Beach in Cambria, and though we were chilly, we had a great time in this beautiful area. Wish the sun had been shining though, so my pictures would have shown up a little better.

I cannot remember what kind of birds these were. There were hundreds of them.

Cambria California

Sun trying to peek through in nearby Cayucos.

PHOTOS taken during the winter along California’s Central Coast

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San Simeon, CA. Moonstone Beach Cambria, CA. Cayucos, CA.

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Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay, California

I thought I had already posted these photos from last year of my visit to Monterey, but cannot find them. My photo blog is for my own memories as well as for sharing, so I am posting them again (or for the first time) to make sure I have them.

Candy Store!

I really do not like to have my photo taken, but I am trying to put up a few for my family’s memories. This photo of my hubby and I was taken by a 10 year old friend whom we were with.

When we arrived at Monterey Bay the sun was starting to go down. I have no idea how to take pictures in that kind of lighting, so I fiddled with the few settings on my point-and-shoot camera but they turned out worse than just leaving it at automatic. I had to boost the pictures a bit in my default photo editor in order to see them, as they were too dark and dull.

Regardless, the last of the sunlight on the boats and the water was very pretty. I wish I could have captured it better, but this is the best I could do. I like it anyway.

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Wagons on the Rooftop

AJ Spurs Steak House Restaurant in Buellton CA has a great old western decor both inside and out.

While my husband and I waited a few minutes for our guests to arrive, I pulled out my phone and took a few pictures of the wagons on the rooftop and wagon wheel benches.

I almost backed up into some cacti (not shown) while moving far enough into the parking lot to take a roof photo.

Very rustic, countrified setting!

Thank goodness for camera-phones! I would have been wishing I had brought my point and shoot camera with me.

If I had been able to take inside photos (the interior is dark and I was not sure if it would be appropriate) you would have seen images of bison (or buffalo?) and bear, along with other wild creatures and decor. Maybe next time….

p.s.

If you are vegan or offended by the idea of killing animals, I apologize. I am Not a hunter, nor a fan of killing animals, and yet I do like a good burger now and then. Also, this is just such a unique atmosphere and ambiance. But young children might get freaked out by the life sized giant animals when you walk inside. Interesting place though and good food!

What is it? Looks Like Cousin It To Me!

Had my point and shoot camera on farthest zoom so this is not very clear, but it appeared to be a dead plant or bush that looked like a little man-creature (maybe 3 feet tall).

Source: Google search for Cousin It.

As a kid I watched The Addams Family tv series, and Cousin It was an odd little character. Seeing that mysterious and uniquely shaped dead bush that I photographed, made me think of Cousin It. Interesting yes?

Location of plant: Unnamed local park in Solvang California.

Santa Barbara CA

We live about an hour away, and yet we rarely get to the beach in Santa Barbara CA.

Flashback Memory: February 2011. The weather was perfect that day!

Tiny Barber Shop in Morro Bay

MIKES BARBER SHOP in MORRO BAY California. This tiny little building in muted colors looks like a blast from the past. The only color is the red, white and blue barber pole, which still spins. We were walking the streets in Morro Bay after seeing the Farmer’s Market, and happened to turn down a side street where we saw this cute little barber shop.

LOTTO WINNER: Friends who were with us told how the former owner of this barber shop won the $133 Million dollar lotto in 2010. I researched it when we got back home and found this article.

Old Town Niles California

Drove through the old town of Niles, California the other day (where Charlie Chaplin made some of his silent films). Did not stop except to take a picture of the old train car.

Colorful Sunny Fields Park in Solvang: Structures

SOLVANG in Danish means “Sunny Fields” and so this park in the charming little Danish-style village of Solvang California is aptly named Sunny Fields Park. This park has a great big playground full of smooth wooden castle tower playstructures with lots of nooks and crannies to explore, windmill walkthroughs, water mister for hot days, viking ship to climb on, swings, slides, theater cut-outs and more. Ages 3 and up.

There is also a separate section of the playground for smaller children from 2-5 with parent supervision. This section has an adorable little gingerbread house to play in.

At the park you will also find a baseball field, a huge lawn area, picnic tables (some are covered), and clean restrooms. This is not your ho-hum plastic and metal playground!

Location Address:

• Alamo Pintado Rd.
• Solvang, CA 93463
• Santa Ynez Valley
• Santa Barbara County
• Phone: (805) 688-7529

All photos taken by Tricia on my old Casio point and shoot camera.

Copyright (c) 2012 TriciasThings.wordpress.com

Quaint Entrance to Solvang CA Parking Lot

Solvang California is only around 3 square miles (population a little over 5,000) and though it is very small, it is packed with places to take pictures. I was driving home from a birthday party and for the first time noticed this trellised entrance to the city’s Municipal Center parking lot. It is on a side street I have been on many times, but never paid attention to it.

This is the WALKING entrance, you can’t drive through it!

I just took about 100 photos of another part of the town, so I will be going through those and picking out some of my favorites for future posts, soon.

Horse Trolley in Solvang

Traffic in the Danish village of SOLVANG CALIFORNIA consists of pedestrians, surrey bicycles, horse trolleys, cars and cyclists. One must keep alert because there is a lot going on at once, and it is fun to observe it all! At a stop sign I not only sat behind this trolley, but when they took off again I got to enjoy the sound of the horses hooves clopping along the street. This is everyday life in the tourist town of Solvang.

This horse-driven trolley is a replica of 1800′s Danish streetcars.

Photo: Taken on my iPhone, cropped and brightened up a bit with some color saturation in picassa (since I do not have or know how to use photoshop).

Ad on back of trolley for Olsens Danish Bakery: I have tried their eclairs, cream puffs and napoleons and they are delicious!

Update: Found the horse and trolley on a side street “after hours” here: