Santa Monica to Santa Barbara and up the Pacific Coast highway

Malibu pier.
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The Highway 1 or Pacific Coast highway was a drive we were looking forward to. Stopping en route in Malibu just after Santa Monica for a seafront hot chocolate, we drove on, stopping off at Santa Barbara. Along the way, endless cliffs melted away into the turquoise sea.

The most beautiful part was around an area called the Big Sur, which is more a stretch of the road than an area, and with some pretty scenic (and spectacular) drops...

Santa Barbara felt a little older than Santa Monica but was heaving with bars and cafes. On the pier, we found a cute pelican. His buddies were hanging around the yachts.

mmm... nice chocolate in this seafront cafe on the pier!
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[Duncan to Dad] "Why did Gordon ever leave here for Squim?! - stoopid!"

Just outside Santa Barbara, we went Sideways (film reference) in the place where much of the film was made. Californian wines here were very impressive, and the surrounding region was lovely.

Along the Pacific Coast Highway up from Santa Barbara we pulled in to find a beach packed out with sunbathing elephant seals, which were very sweet, as well as those views...