Old Coast Road, part of California Coastal Trail south of Big Sur.

Maybe it's because I've spent all my California years in San Francisco, but when I want to take a vacation in the mountains, the central coast has always been one of the last destinations on my mind.  Mistake!  The mountains between Carmel and San Luis Obispo are plenty epic, but without all the to-and-from traffic that you have to endure with the Sierras.  Not only that, but the mountains are not buried under hundreds of inches of snow this time of the year, which makes the backcountry a little more hospitable. There's plenty of rafting to be had, the nights are not that cold, the beer's cheap, and the mountain biking is suburb.  Plus, you don't have to look at Sacramento to get there.

A good time, no doubt.

The climb out of the Arroyo Seco campground, home to a beautiful river, scenic mountains, rafting, white trash, and hella deer ticks.

Some old bridge I wouldn't recommend walking over if you've ever sat down on a chair and broke it.

Mission San Antonio de Padua

Rocks and wildflowers in Fort Hunter Liggett.

Apparently people in these parts believe in private property or some shit.  In fact, the owner of this particular piece of mountainside bothered to roll up to us in his thirty-thousand dollar SUV to tell us we were “very lucky” we didn't get shot for trespassing.  It was adorable.

Grassy descent into Greenfield.

Feel free to check out all the snaps if you're interested in such things.