Point Lobos

The Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is another gem on the Pacific Coast that is near Hollister. It's only 48 miles away, just to the south of Carmel-by-the Sea off of Highway One. I suggest you turn off all your electronics when you visit the reserve so you can truly have a relaxing experience. Everything is magical, from watching the ocean waves to viewing the wildlife to seeing the different shapes of trees and rocks.

Point Lobos is the general name for the natural reserve and two adjoining marine protected areas. It's short for Punta de los Lobos Mariños, or the Point of the Sea Wolves. The sea wolves refer to the rocks off this point. Hmmm.

For more info about the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, check out these links:

• Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
• Point Lobos Foundation
• Point Lobos State Reserve (Yelp)

The theme for this week, March 4 to March 10, on Take 25 to Hollister is the Pacific Coast. 

Moss Landing

It's about 28 miles from Hollister to Moss Landing, a small harbor village off Highway One. You know you're there when you see the menacing looking power plant across the highway from the village. When I was a kid, the brother told me it was the M & M factory, which I believed for the longest of times. Whenever I see the plant, I still like to pretend that I believe M & M candies are being made in it.

Moss Landing is a cool place to hang out. You can walk along the beach. Check out the antique shops. Eat at yummy restaurants. Fish. Bird watch. Go up a little ways and hike or kayak the Elkhorn Slough. And a lot more. One caution: It can be a long wait to turn left from Highway One into Moss Landing. Also, if you turn left onto the highway from Moss Landing.

For more info about Moss Landing, check out these links.

• Moss Landing (Pelican Network Guide)
• Moss Landing Chamber of Commerce
• Moss Landing Harbor District
• Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
• Moss Landing Power Plant
• Elkhorn Slough.org

The theme for this week, March 4 to March 10, on Take 25 to Hollister is the Pacific Coast. 

Santa Cruz Beaches

The Monterey Bay  includes the coastline of both Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. Monterey is the southern end, while Santa Cruz is the northern end. Usually, we think of the south as being warmer than the north. But, when it comes to beaches in this region, nope. The beaches of Santa Cruz county are warmer, once the fog moves out. 

There are more than 20 public beaches on the Santa Cruz county coastline, which stretches from Watsonville (south) to Davenport (north).  Public access is also available to beaches which involves passing through private property, such as the Seascape Beach Resort in Aptos.

For more info about Santa Cruz beaches, check out these links:

• Beaches (Santa Cruz County)
• Santa Cruz Parks, Open Space & Nature Preserves
• Parks & Beaches (Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks) 

 

You can view hillsides of Pampas Grass when you walk the public access trail
to the beach at the Seascape Beach Resort.

March 4 to March 10 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: The Pacific Coast

Año Nuevo State Reserve

Have you ever seen northern elephant seals up close? Want to?

There are a few places along the Pacific Coast where northern elephant seals gather on the beach throughout the year. One such place is the Año Nuevo State Reserve, which is part of the California State Parks system. It's about 65 miles northwest of Hollister, or about 20 miles north of Santa Cruz on Highway 1.

From December to March, reserve visitors can only view the northern elephant seals on guided walks. During this period, the mammals mate, give birth, and wean their pups that later head to sea in April. In the spring and summer, the elephant seals return to Año Nuevo to molt.

For more information about the park and elephant seals, check out these links:

• Año Nuevo State Reserve
• Año Nuevo State Reserve (Every Trail)
• Elephant Seals (California State Parks)
• "Elephant Seal Tracking Reveals Hidden Lives of Deep-Diving Animals" by Tim Stephens (UC Santa Cruz Newscenter)

March 4 to March 10 theme for Take 25 to Hollister:The Pacific Coast

Creative Escapes

Local artist  Shannon Grissom opens her studio in downtown Hollister every Thursday afternoon for Creative Escapes. For a flat admission fee and a fee per project, children and grownups are welcome to use her art supplies . . .

to draw. . .

to paint . . .

 to paint. . .

to paint . . .

or to make collages, masks, or greeting cards

Last Thursday, a bunch of friends and I spent a few fun hours in Shannon's studio. None of us really had an idea what we wanted to do other than to play with art. Although game about the adventure, a few of us were wary about the whole idea. I, for instance, have been chipping away at my fear of art ever since my first grade teacher told me, "Susie, draw your cows on the ground."  An afternoon with Shannon put a lot of my apprehension in the trash bag.  If you'd like to see what I ended up creating, you can view it here at Don't Be a Hippie.

For more about Shannon and her Creative Escapes, check out these sites:

• Shannon Grissom—Artist, Author, Television Host, Producer, and Songwriter
• Shannon Grissom (Facebook)
• "Creative Escapes" with Shannon