California road trip Day 8 - Day of the Presidental Suite

In Santa Cruz, they had a breakfast bar and plenty of coffee.  Crystal had razor-thin bacon, scrambled eggs with cheese and salsa, and a mini waffle I made her.  Yum!  After we found highway 1, we headed south ignoring Google which constantly tried to get us there faster on the 101.  (I said SCENIC route, Kevin!) 

 
We did an early stop at cannery row before we headed out.

We listened to old California hip-hop as we cruised down the windy road like the nerds we are!  I wish I could describe how happy I felt.  I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to see all of these incredible landscapes and drive this in my car.  Once Crystal figured out sports mode plus, she liked it better too!  By this time, Crystal was more comfortable with the winding roads and she was having fun driving as well. 

This seagull posed for us - we got 20+ pics lol!

Morning Crystal - Still drinking coffee!

I honestly can't decide which part of highway one is my favorite but the Big Sur is always up there. 
I am enamored with the restaurant Nepenthe.  I've stopped there twice on road trips before and both times were just magical! The food, service, and views are just perfect.  I never want to leave!

My Nepenthe :)

Driving down the road with the ocean on my left, cliffs on my right, the sunroof open and the windows down, music blasting and the bass maxed - It was a wonderful afternoon.  We didn't stop to look at the tide pools, but we stopped for the seals.  Crystal has a love/hate relationship with those seals.  Every seal seen must have its picture taken. We can't get too close though.  They might get her ;) 

Crystal: Along our winding path we came across the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery.  Our timing was perfect.  This time of year the young males practice fighting for the upcoming mating season.  No bloodshed, just roughhousing in the waves.  As I was reading the information signs, the barking seals could be heard over the crashing waves.   It was fascinating to watch these giants wiggle up the sand to lay in the sun.

 

When we went around the curve that led to Pismo Beach, Crystal pointed at the pier in the distance.  "Check out that Pier!"  I giggled because I knew that was our final destination.  We drove up to the hotel and handed the keys over to the Valet (No self-park option here!).  We checked in and we were told they upgraded us to the Presidental Suite!  Oh my!  We were given vouchers for 2 glasses of wine and breakfast in their outdoor restaurant overlooking the ocean.   

I will make a note here - We decided we don't mind sharing a big bed (we both take sleep meds and just pass out anyway).   We slumber party it anyway.  This way we qualify for all of the upgrades.  They don't make presidential suites with doubles.  

When the stars align and you have accumulated enough luck in your life you may get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be upgraded to a suite when you check in to a hotel.  Pismo Beach.  

This room.  

Oh my.  

The living room window opened up to the rooftop.  I opened that ALL the way so we could just listen to the ocean while we had our coffees.  The bedroom had a huge whirlpool tub with a window that had wooden shutters so you could open and see the ocean while you were showering.   

It had a huge vanity table with lights along with a large bathroom mirror.  We could listen to the waves crashing from anywhere in the room.  It was very relaxing.  

We dressed, got our free drinks, and walked down the pier to get some sunset pictures before dinner.  

Crystal knew what was going to happen and she came prepared with Benadryl cream just in case!  Crystal and I are great travel partners because we both eat smaller portions so an app and main for us are usually more than we can finish together.  We've been picking things to try and split them this trip.  Tonight was different.  Tonight I was all in.  Tonight we were going to find me some fresh crab legs!  We went to the crab shack and I immediately felt guilty as we walked in.  

The smell of crab and seafood was rather strong and I knew Crystal was allergic, so I asked her to sit in the back corner so she could be not completely surrounded by the shellfish that would kill her.  We explained the situation to the waitress who immediately ruled out 98% of the menu.  

She could have no fried food at all, the oil was used constantly for shrimp and other seafood.  Crystal ended up ordering grilled cod with asparagus.  She asked for her own melted butter and the waitress giggled and said, "I got you!"  I looked at my options.  Potatoes and sausage and corn and oh my all the fillers.  I couldn't eat all that.  

I wanted crab.

I told the waitress I just wanted to order al-a-cart.  Alaskan king crab and Dungeness crab, 3/4 a pound each in this bucket option - I went for it! 

 She returned to our table, handed Crystal her nicely prepared plate, then unceremoniously poured the bucket directly onto the table and handed me many utensils as Crystal looked on in horror and tried to avoid being splashed.  I can't remember the last time I had crab legs and I really enjoyed the experience.  Thanks, Crystal!  

We walked back along the boardwalk on the way to our beautiful hotel.  We took some fun pictures in front of the Pismo beach sign, then went back to our room where Crystal had a long whirlpool bath while I sipped a glass of wine by the balcony listening to the waves.