California Coast Road Trip: Big Sur • The Blonde Abroad

My drive up California’s famous Pacific Coast Highway was nothing short of breathtaking. My friend, Sara, and I left Los Angeles at the crack of dawn and enjoyed a delicious breakfast and walk along the pier in Santa Barbara.

Our drive north to Big Sur would lead us past the iconic Madonna Inn of San Luis Obispo, the historical landmark mansion, Hearst Castle, and the goofy elephant seals of San Simeon.

I’ve taken this road trip countless times and it never gets old.

We eventually arrived at my favorite turnout on Highway 1 where the beauty of Big Sur literally blew me away. Golden Poppies lined the highway and the blue of the summer sky paled in comparison to the turquoise ocean.

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We frolicked in the flowers and let the cool coastal winds blow through our hair. We would be camping in Big Sur for the night, so we drove further north until we reached Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

Towering redwood trees stretched to the heavens and the smell of campfire filled the air.

We pitched our tent as wild deer crossed confidently through the campsite. It had been a long day of driving, but we weren’t quite ready to settle into our sleeping bags.

Check out the rest of our evening at Esalen Institute!

[fontawesome icon=”heart” circle=”no” size=”large” iconcolor=”#e1518d”]Kiersten’s Look: Dress by Forever 21 | Denim Shirt by Forever 21 | Necklace by Forever 21 | CATORI Boots by Naughty Monkey

[fontawesome icon=”heart” circle=”no” size=”large” iconcolor=”#e1518d”]Sara’s Look: Dress by Free People | Baseball Shirt by Brandy Melville Similar Here | Toro Necklace by Cecily London | HARLI Boots by Naughty Monkey