Franklin Point
We set off for the coast before the sun was up. There is something so satisfying to be on the road while most people are still sound asleep in their beds. This is the way to avoid the crowds and to get great photographs.
Our route is via Highway 17 over the Santa Cruz mountains. At this time in the morning, the mountains are dark with just the occasional light shining. The lighter sky behind shows the huge bulk of the ridge. This is the time to enjoy Highway 17. During the weekday commutes, this is not an easy route to travel but at 6.15 on a Sunday morning it’s like playing hooky from school.
As we reach the summit, there is a bit of fog. The coast may be shrouded in fog but that’s the risk you take at this time of the year. We always come prepared with sweatshirts and jackets. Fortunately the coast is clear of fog today but who knows what is will be like further north.
We skirt around Santa Cruz and head north on Highway 1. Normally we have breakfast at the 24
hour diner on the outskirts of Santa Cruz but today we will stop in Pescadero at Duartes Tavern.
Our first destination though is Franklin Point. Not many people know where this is and it is difficult to stumble across. There are no signposts but, once found, it is a place we have visited often.
[Click on the image for a larger version]
We drive through the Mission District of Santa Cruz but there are not many people around even though it is beginning to get light. No lights shine in any of the houses. Soon we are out of town and driving past small farms and we catch our first sight of the ocean. Today the water is very calm as there is no wind.
Just before Davenport we pass a fire engine on the left, next to a burnt out car. Someone was unlucky. Strangely enough, we pass a second fire engine and burnt out car to the right of us a few miles further on. I guess the two events are connected and suspicious. There are a lot of campers, VW vans and small RVs at the side of the road where presumably people are camping out but the two burnt vehicles we passed were sedans.
As we continue on our journey, the only human activity we see are early morning surfers getting into their wet suits at the side of the road. They are as mad as we are!
We drive past several interesting places on the way – the Wilder Ranch State Park, Coastways, Ano Nuevo State Reaserve, but we will save them for another day.
Nearly there. Look out for the first set of pedestrian crossings signs. On the left hand side of the road by the second crossing sign there are half a dozen mail boxes but take special notice of the one on the far left. It is the smallest mail box I have ever seen. What on earth could fit inside it?
We pass Costanoa on the right. This is the perfect place to spend a romantic weekend. Watch out for the second set of pedestrian crossing signs and a 10′ tree stump and small parking strip on the left hand side.
Franklin Point is part of the Ano Nuevo State Reserve. Just next to the tree stump is the start of
Franklin Point Trail. The park opens at 8 am but here there is nothing to stop you walking along the half mile trail to the ocean. It is an easy trek, though there are a couple of small uphill sections.
[Click on the image for a larger version]
It is so peaceful. The only sounds to be heard are the distant surf and bird song. The way is sandy and there are many twists and turns but you know you are getting closer. There have been times when we have not been able to get through because the path has been flooded but that only happens in the winter. Today there are no problems.
The beach is completely empty but that is nothing unusual. There are two surfers already in the water waiting for some action. Up on the bluff I can see my ultimate goal – a bench with a million dollar view. But first I have to trek across the beach and be distracted by the sight, sounds and smells. There is always something different to divert me. At high tide it is a challenge to negotiate round the rocks, though there is a path across the top of the bluff. Today though it’s tiny crustaceans which stop me in my tracks. I have never seen the likes of them before. I spot one and stop to watch but soon I realize that there are lots of them either staying completely still, scurrying along or leaping into the air. Sometimes they disappear down holes in the sand. Tom and I both came to the conclusion that they are performing some mating ritual.
Eventually I reach the bench and spend the first 15 minutes just soaking in the view and the atmosphere. Utter bliss, especially today with the lack of wind. To the south is Ano Nuevo with its island; to the north is Pigeon Point lighthouse and to the right is the beach. Today there are a lots of brown pelicans. They appear suddenly and quietly in small groups from the south, glide over my head and swoop down to the water where they skim inches above the surface and head north.
Beyond the bench is a trail leading down to the headland where we occasionally seen sea anglers, though we have the place to ourselves today. We spend an hour at our favorite spot before hunger forces us to make our way back to the car.
We drive north to Pescadero and turn right for the two mile drive into Pescedero town. First stop Duartes Tavern for breakfast – see Breakfast Log – before we do a tour of the town- see Neighborhoods.
At 10.30 we start to make our way back home. We leave before any of the shops open. Instead of making our way back to Highway 1 and up to Half Moon Bay and over the mountains on Highway 92, we decide to take another route. Starting north on Stage Road we cross the bridge and turn right on North Street, passing another small church, several houses, a school and the Goat Farm and then turn left on Pescadero Road. Phipps Country Farm is on the right. This is a funkey little place and well worth stopping at.
The road starts to climb and the scenery changes from farm land to woodlands to redwood forests. We pass Memorial Park and Sam McDonald Park, but no time to stop today. Our route takes us through La Honda and up to Skyline Boulevard. There are certainly more people around on two wheels today than four. We pass scores of cyclists freewheeling down the mountain and some struggling up and outside Alice’s Restaurant on Skyline there are rows upon shining rows of motor bikes.
Eventually we arrive on Sand Hill Road and soon we are on 280 and nearly home. What a glorious day and once again we’ve avoided the crowds.
August 26 2007 07:01 pm | Special Places
Lizzy on 21 Oct 2007 at 1:56 pm #
The Franklin Point photograph is awesome, I hadn’t noticed the lighthouse in the distance until I enlarged the picture. Could look at this photo for hours……..