Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, & Pinnacles Nat’l Monument (7/17, 7/22, 7/25, 7/26)
Saturday, 7/17:
Hit up Monterey w/Router. Him and his dad dropped me off downtown Carmel and I walked around for a few hours checking out the shops, art galleries (love Godard and Walfrido!), grabbed some fish & chips at A.W. Shucks Oyster & Cocktail Bar, and lounged at the beach. They picked me up and we went to one wine tasting room for a quick stop. Since all the other wineries were closed, we headed to Bernardus Lounge. I got a Muscado (my favorite wine these days) and Booker’s Bourbon on the rocks (my latest trend with whiskey). Afterward, we dropped off his dad at a restaurant to meet his friends and we headed back the bay area. It was a really nice, fun, and quick get away from the bay.
Sunday, 7/18:
Met up and hung out with Yosemite #1 downtown SF. We grabbed lunch and drinks at Palomino’s, hung around Yerba Buena gardens for music and dancing and caught the Cyrus movie in the evening. Afterward, we headed to the Mission to meet up with his Oakland friends for dinner at a Thai restaurant. After dinner we walked across the street to Kilowatt, grabbed drinks, played pool, and chatted up the night! Headed back home on the last BART. ‘Twas a fun Sunday night!
Tuesday, 7/20:
Short 6.5 mile hike at Sweeney Ridge trail with Yosemite #2 then to BF’s birthday dinner in Oakland and drinks thereafter. ‘Twas a mellow but fun, in-good-company night. 
Thursday, 7/22:
Hit up Pinnacles National Monument with Yosemite #2. Hiked the High Peaks – Bear Gulch loop. This took us from 10-5 or so. We stopped quite frequently as it was nearly 100 degrees, 1,400 elevation gain and 6.7 miles. Got lots of sun. 
The caves were cool, literally — and it’s fairly family friendly with rails and steps the whole way through.
Sunday, 7/25:
Hit up Big Sur with Yosemite #2 and hiked the Valley View and Pfeiffer Falls trails at 450 ft elevation gain and 2.4 miles. It was a short, easy and relaxing hike. Thereafter, we visited the Mcway Falls which is a waterfall that hits the beach. It was neat, but there were so many people there. 
Y#2 said he wanted to climb down to the beach. I said I’m afraid of heights! Grabbed dinner at Little Napoli Bistro Italiano in Carmel. Wouldn’t really recommend it, but decent atmosphere nonetheless. Headed to our lodging in Salinas (Courtyard Marriott) and relaxed for the rest of the evening.
Monday, 7/26:
Hit up Pinnacles again and hiked Old Pinnacles Trail to Balconies Cave (6.3 miles). It was a slow paced, easy hike with minimal elevation gain. The caves were much more fascinating than the Bear Gulch, for the sole fact that there are no railings or steps (non-family friendly). Also, traversing through them without a guide and just a flashlight makes anyone feel like an explorer! We took some photos along the Balconies Cliffs trail and caught sight of some rock climbers. It was fascinating to watch! We left the park around 5 and returned to the bay area.
