Driving Highway 1 - 2

After a huge breakfast at Margie's diner we left San Luis Obispo for San Jose on the highway 1.
Supposedly the coast between San Simeon and Carmel is breath taking.
San Simeon is famous for 2 things: the Hearst Castle and its beach where elephant seals bask in the sun.
We skipped the castle for 3 reasons:
1) Hearst Castle is the most visited place in California after Disneyland during the summer
2) the castle is a pastiche of historic architectural styles that its owner admired in his travels around Europe (and when you come from Europe that's a scary thought)
3) There was already some fog on the hills and therefore the view from up there would be very limited (i.e. not worth the entrance ticket).
We did not skip the elephant seals. Once you arrive by the beach you can see them already in the distance. A complete herd of elephant seals, sleeping on the beach.

 When you get closer you can see that they are indeed nicely sleeping in the sun (lucky animals).

A few of them would go for a swim...

... but the majority lies down and enjoys the sun.

 So cute you could want to take one home with you, but the volunteers from Friends of the Elephant Seals around would not let you. They would also advise you to come back around Valentine's day. Apparently in February elephant seals are very active (maybe something to do with mating season).

Unfortunately for us the sea fog became worse and worse as we were driving north and we could not see anything of the coast line.

Whenever we were going up-hill we could get over the fog and see a bit of the sun. Sadly, the sea was still under the fog, nowhere to be found.
Every now and then the fog would vanish a bit and we could see the water down there.

I have to admit this coast line has potential to be great, especially under bright sun, it's just a pity I didn't get to see it. I guess I'll have to come back another time.