After a post-Thanksgiving rest and lots of time hanging out, we decided it was time to take a day trip and see the beautiful area we had heard about near Malibu - the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
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| Heading through LA on the way to Santa Monica |
A drive out towards Santa Monica, then up the coast to Malibu led us to Casa Escobar Mexican Restaurant on Malibu Beach. We ate some delicious, authentic Mexican food while gazing at the beach and ocean across the street.
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| The view from the Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu |
At the end of our meal, we discussed hiking options in the area with our waiter, and were advised to go see the "Jim Morrison" caves at the end of the road up Corral Canyon. We don't know why they are called the Jim Morrison caves, and they are really just holes in a large sandstone formation. But the views----!!!!
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| The holes in this sandstone might be the "caves" we were told about |
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| Someone made a rock-lined labyrinth in front of the sandstone |
We followed a graded dirt road for about an hour, taking in one breathtaking view of the ocean after another. We could see islands out in the ocean. One was probably Catalina Island, the other may have been Santa Barbara Island. At the ridge where we were hiking, you could also look to the north, east and west, and see mountains, valleys, houses, and a lake or two. 360-degree views. Really spectacular.
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| Downtown LA as seen from Corral Canyon |
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| Hard to capture all the beauty visible from any given spot...this was the drive up Corral Canyon |
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| An interesting flower on a ground vine |
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