Darrell and I stumbled across Point Lobos State Natrual Reserve on our way south to another spot along the California coast. A section of highway one had been closed due to landslide damage and there was no way to access Pfeiffer Beach which we'd really been looking forward to seeing. So we turned around and headed north again, catching the sign for the reserve. It was 6PM when we stopped, and it closed at 7PM, but we decided to pay the $10 entrance fee and walk around for an hour. 

It turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip. Maybe it was the time of day; the setting sun working it's golden hour magic, the ocean so clear and so blue, the wildlife, the flora, everything about this  stretch of coastline was incredible. I wish we'd had more time here and when we head toward the West Coast in the future this is going to be one of our stops for sure.

An hour before closing there were still a fair amount of people but it wasn't too bad and we had it to ourselves for a few moments here and there. There is a lot of wild life; sea lions, harbor seals, all kinds of birds, and when the season is right you can see whales migrating. There are also great tide pools when you catch the low tide. 

I sat on the pebble beach, watching the water come in, trying to catch the perfect crash of waves against the rocks, and enjoyed being alone and close to the sea. There's nothing like it, and while I love mountains and I'm in awe when dwarfed and surrounded, being close to the ocean is something entirely different. And in this beautiful location it was a perfect moment.