Point Lobos

Every third Friday of the month, my wife gets a day off from work (called Happy Friday). On July's Happy Friday, With our daughter away at summer camp for a month, we decided to head out for a short day trip to Point Lobos State Reserve.

We arrived at 10 a.m., but the parking lot was already full, so we found a spot on the nearby street and walked into the park. The day began with clear skies, but soon, the morning fog (I'm not sure if it has a name like Karl) rolled in, giving the entire area a mystical atmosphere like we were in the game Mist. The mist clung to the cliffs and trees, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere that made it even more special. The hour-and-a-half stroll along the coastline, with waves crashing against the rocks and the fog drifting in and out, felt like stepping in and out from another world. It was peaceful, beautiful, and a perfect escape from the usual daily routine.

One of my wife’s colleagues recommended a restaurant for lunch: Pacific’s Edge, which has quickly become one of my favorite spots in the Big Sur Area. Located inside the Highlands Inn, the restaurant offers a stunning coastline view. The combination of great food and the breathtaking scenery created an atmosphere of pure relaxation.

After lunch, we headed to Carmel Beach. As usual, parking in Carmel is always a challenge. We ended up street parking several blocks away and walked to the beach. The Friday beach was full of people soaking up the sun. Something that caught my attention was a group of girls playing Suikawari— a traditional Japanese watermelon-splitting game. It was my first time seeing it in real life, not even during my visits to Japan (only some in anime scenes).

The sun was warm but not too harsh, creating the perfect heat balance. We relaxed on the warm sand while the cool sea breeze kept us refreshed. It was a wonderful way to spend the afternoon, enjoying the simple pleasure of the beach.

We made a stop in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea on our way back home, where we indulged in some delicious gelato and picked up a pizza for dinner. It was the perfect way to wrap up a relaxing summer day off.