Carmel by the sea

Labor Day weekend.  Oh what to do?  Any spot with a scenic view in a 100 mile radius of San Francisco was bound to be abuzz with locals and visitors alike.  Water views are everyone's fave but we bit the bullet and went south.  Quite a ways.  To Carmel.

Its a seaside resort like town with a few thousand inhabitants.  In the 1980s Clint Eastwood was mayor.  It still attracts the glitterati from the larger bay area.  Monterey to its north provides an extension of the wealthy enclaves with a beach front drive labeled one of the most scenic.  The cost to ride the 17 miles is $11.  The rich have a way of keeping the riff raff out.

We chose to simply eat on the way there and hang by the beach for a spell.  Our route took us past the farming communities of Morgan Hill and Gilroy.  In the latter we stopped at a Taqueria where they only speak Espanol.  The fare was presented with pictures so it was easy to order.  Food was delish.

Shrimp and Fish tacos along with a Chill Relleno, the latter is a Spanish dish meaning stuffed chilli.  Here is what it looked like when I remembered to take a picture... hey I was famished..

We drove to a local park overlooking a hill and ate in the shade of a giant oak tree.  Fun.  Then drove some more south to hit the ocean and coasted along route 1 till we were in Carmel.  Gingerbread homes as if from a story book, some converted into candy shops or gift-a-vaganza outlets mix with limestone and slate edifices from years ago..

Quaint artist studios along with stores good for window shopping only dot the main drag called Ocean Ave. that runs to the water's edge.

A grid of streets intersects it east to west with places to eat including a French restaurant with a bakery attached to it.  A friend had recommended it - we chose to eat the dessert.  Chocolate Mousse cake was a hit.

The day went by rather quick and mostly pleasant except for hordes of young adult women who tend to walk three across blocking all sidewalks with no regard for oncoming traffic.  And did I mention the annoying dog lovers and their stupid pets? that cram every corner and run amok along with their cooing fans who want to stop traffic to take pictures with their canines?

It was an overcast day but overall a pleasant experience taking in the vastness of the Pacific which at once makes you realize how little you are.  Add to it the majestic Cypresses that dot the white sand beaches and it is a vista you cannot get enough of.