California never really appealed to me. Kinda like I didn’t like Austin when I was in high school. I clearly know they were both awesome, I just wanted to say I didn’t like them since I couldn’t live there. When I used to think of California I thought of Hollywood which still is the most appealing. Who would want a daily reminder that you are poor and can’t drive, eat, shop or even surf where the rich people go? Yeah no thanks for that. Well yes, I’ll eat my words and say that California is one of the most amazing places I have visited and would give my leg to be able to live there one day. I doubt I could really ever leave Austin but if I had to, I would choose Cali in a heart beat. Last May I made my first trip to “The Golden State” for a photography conference. Southern California was just like I imagined and I was loving the weather and the really nice people (didn’t so much see that one coming). I stayed in Newport Beach, rented a beach cruiser and realized that it’s a super surfer, laid-back kind of place with really rich people mixed in there. Love it.
So, I had made it to South Cali and then I had the opportunity to explore the Northern Coast with my good friend Jae and her little girl Sophia and fell even more in love. We rented a car and got to drive on the Pacific Coast Hwy (which scared me to death) and saw jaw-dropping view after another. We were lucky enough to stay in a small beach community of Martin’s Beach just outside of Half Moon Bay (45 min south San Fransisco). Jae’s friends Steve and Lourdes were so gracious in letting us stay in their little piece of heaven. I loved everything about it, but mostly the constant sound of waves that lulled me to sleep each night. I was all set on taking lots and lots of landscape and scenic pictures along with urban stuff in the city, but I love photographing people so Jae and Soph were the stars of this trip! I’m sure they didn’t mind. So here is our road trip across the northern California coast.
Ever since Full House I have always wanted to drive over Golden Gate Bridge! 
don’t judge.
The view of Alcatraz from Pier 39.
Everywhere we turned were dozens of Farmers Markets – I loved it!
Ouch – 5:00 traffic of Golden Gate
This is the adorable cottage we stayed in! It sat on a cliff looking over the ocean.
This was the road to the cottage! So beautiful!
We both really wanted to see big trees – so we said a prayer and went down to Muir Woods – the single most scared I think I have ever been in a car. Poor Jae — I made it ten times worse for her. She was driving and consoling me. I thought I was having a panic attack.
Muir Woods had the most amazing light of the entire trip.
Soph loved it!
look at those eyes.
and those little teeth.
The next day we drove down to Santa Cruz. I loved this town. So laid back and chill – This is the view from West Cliff Drive.
my favorite
A few minutes south of Santa Cruz is Capitola where the colorful little houses are. I am definitely going to be staying in one of those sometime.
another favorite. Sophie touching the Pacific for the first time.
Soph is trying to hide from the wind – it was freeezing down by the water.
The sign to our little private beach!
The rocks at Martin’s Beach. We stayed at the cottage this day and just relaxed. So we had a picnic down on the beach and had a little photo shot.
something about this photo I just love.
I love Cali.
