Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Tuesday, May 19th was the highlight of our family getaway with Dan’s family, as we explored our main destination of the trip — Big Sur! We got to go to Point Lobos, Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, and Pfeiffer Beach. Dan and I had gone to Big Sur three years ago and we fell in love with the gorgeous sights there, especially the waterfall at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. We have been talking about coming back to see Big Sur for a while now, so we were thrilled to be able to return, and to get to show our girls the sights there, too.

Our first stop in the morning was Whaler’s Cove at Point Lobos. It was pretty cloudy and overcast in the morning (typical of Northern California), which only intensified the unsettling aura of the cove.

Whaler's Cove at Point Lobos
Whaler’s Cove at Point Lobos… where fishermen used to bring in whales they hunted at the turn of the century.

 

Whaler's Cove at Point Lobos
The place looked a bit of ominous… maybe it reminded me too much of a show we watched recently, The Killing

 

Whaler's Cove at Point Lobos
Sea lions beaching at the foot of the cliffs.

 

Whaler's Cabin at Whaler's Cove in Point Lobos
A small cabin built by Chinese fishermen from that era still remains and is now a cultural history museum.

 

With the whale bones by Whaler's Cabin
With the whale bones by Whaler’s Cabin

 

Whaler's Cabin at Whaler's Cove in Point Lobos
Huge whale bones

 

Mio & Mirei at Point Lobos
I liked the inscription on this bench: “Tell them how special they are.”

 

We then took a walk around the cliffs of Point Lobos, and took in some of the prettier sights there. It was my first time at Point Lobos, but I observed that it has a very rugged beauty to it.

Point Lobos
Point Lobos

 

The Allens at Point Lobos

 

The Allens at Point Lobos
The Allens at Point Lobos

 

With the grandparents Point Lobos
With the grandparents Point Lobos

 

Mio and I at Point Lobos

 

Point Lobos
Look at the color of that water!

 

Picnic lunch at Point Lobos
Enjoying a picnic lunch at Point Lobos

 

Picnic lunch at Point Lobos

 

Picnic lunch at Point Lobos

 

After eating lunch, we drove over to my favorite part of Big Sur — Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park! It was a bit of a drive from Point Lobos, but it gave the weather time to clear up, and by the time we arrived, the sun was completely out, making for a gorgeous day to see one of California’s most scenic locations.

Auntie Hyo holding Mirei
Auntie Hyo holding Mirei as we make our way to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

 

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
The Allens at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

 

Our family at Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP
Our family at Big Sur’s Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

 


 

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Happy we could come back here after three years!

 

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park at Big Sur
Gorgeous view of the waterfall… this is my favorite view in California.

 

The girls at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
The girls taking a break on the bench

 

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Beautiful Pacific waters crashing onto the shore…

 

Us with Mirei at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
With our little Mirei, almost 16 months old at the time.

 

Our last stop in Big Sur was Pfeiffer Beach, which looks like a beautiful beach set straight from a movie, with light shining through the Keyhole Arch rock formations and almost purple-looking sand.

Mio with Auntie Jackie at Pfeiffer Beach
Stunning Pfeiffer Beach

 

Jackie and Mio at Pfeiffer Beach
Mio walking with Auntie Jackie at Pfeiffer Beach

 

Mio and Auntie Jackie at Pfeiffer Beach

 

Mirei with Uncle Ted at Pfeiffer Beach
Mirei with Uncle Ted

 

The girls got to play in the sand with the beach toys that Grandma thoughtfully brought along for them.


 


 

The Allens at Pfeiffer Beach
Big Sur is so gorgeous! It was wonderful to be able to come back here with the whole Allen family, including our sweet girls.