Letters from the Lighthouse: Travel Edition: Rest Day

Have I mentioned yet that I love the pace here on the Central Coast of California? Morro Bay is delightful, easy-going, friendly, and the old downtown/waterfront area is very quaint.

There are two lighthouses within a very short distance from here - one south, one north - but my lighthouse book led me to believe that they were both inaccessible. Not so. You can visit both but you have to do so with a tour. By the time I contacted the lighthouses last night it was too late. They both have very limited days and times to visit and they were either sold out or after I plan on leaving the area. Bummer. Here are the lighthouses I would have seen if I could have. Next time.

Point San Luis Lighthouse

Piedras Blancas Lighthouse

But it's okay because I had a nice, restful, peaceful day. I had to get some laundry done, so while I was doing that, I walked around the historic downtown Morro Bay area and especially loved the Beads by the Bay with a secret garden behind the store, and Sweet Offerings.

While my clothes were drying, I bought a half dozen little chocolate candies and some red velvet fudge, all handmade in this little shop, and sat outside in the shade at a little café table, reading and eating my chocolate. What a sweet moment!

Laundry done I decided to do a little exploring in San Luis Obispo, which is about 15 miles south of here. I knew there was a mission in that town, so off I went. Finding the mission wasn't too difficult - right in the heart of the old town area. It was so quiet and calming. I walked around the mission and forgot about the outside world.

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa

Really cute little fountain in the front courtyard

Father Junipero Serra - Franciscan Friar who founded the first nine missions in California.

The sanctuary

Beautiful flowers in the mission gardens

Mission bells - Joy, Glory, Sorrow

Mary

Grapes growing on the overhead arbor

Saint Francis of Assisi

Mission wishing well

It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon. I drove back to Morro Bay to have dinner on the waterfront again, this time at The Great American Fish Market. Had some yummy fish 'n chips and pink lemonade, and, of course, a wonderful view.

After dinner I drove over to the other side of Morro Rock, took my beach chair and a blanket down to the beach and watched the surfers and the sunset. Beautiful and peaceful.