Vista Point – Benecia, California
(exit Lake Herman Rd from the 680 freeway)
“Do you know the way to San Jose? I forgot my map from Triple A!”
Coming south on our Oregon roadtrip from Winters on the 505 freeway and Highway 80, there was too much traffic going into San Francisco! We should have stopped in Napa & Sonoma wine country, but instead took the 680 freeway towards San Jose. There’s a great Vista Point in Benecia at the Lake Herman Rd exit so we decided to stretch our legs and take in the view.
The View of the Reserve Fleet at the Vista Point – Benecia, California
Benicia is a waterside city in Solano County, California, United States. It served as the state capital for nearly thirteen months from 1853 to 1854. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area along the north bank of the Carquinez Strait, Benicia is just east of Vallejo and across the strait from Martinez.
Connections to Benicia include Interstate 680 from Martinez to the south and Cordelia Junction (Fairfield) to the north, and Interstate 780, Columbus Parkway, and other local roads from Vallejo to the west. Amtrak runs past the city north towards Sacramento, but the nearest train station is in Martinez across the Carquinez Strait. Amtrak and the Union Pacific Railroad cross the strait alongside the Benicia–Martinez Bridge.
CLICK ON ANY SMALL PIC TO SEE A LARGER PIC AND VIEW THE GALLERY!
Vista Point – Benecia, California (From Google Maps)
We hadn’t been to the beach in a long time, and it was a near perfect day for a drive through Topanga Canyon to the Pacific Ocean!
This Blog is under construction! WordPress is being wonky, so I’m going to publish it now before it’s finished… (just in case)
South Seas Apartments – “The Karate Kid” Location!
Our journey to the Pacific Ocean began deep in the San Fernando Valley with a quick stop and photo op at the South Seas Apartments on Saticoy: the location for “The Karate Kid”.
See our previous Blog “The Karate Kid”>
Our next stop was at Cricca’s Italian Deli on Topanga Canyon for one of their famous submarine sandwiches to complete my picnic lunch.
Cricca’s Italian Deli – #1 in LA for Subs!
We made the drive over Topanga Canyon to Pacific Coast Highway, then north to Malibu!
Welcome to the ‘Bu! On Pacific Coast Highway – Malibu, California
Thursday afternoon, so there was easy parking on PCH near Carbon Canyon. Be careful crossing the highway! We parked near the coastal access to Malibu Beach next to David Geffen’s beach house. Open sunrise to sunset for THE PUBLIC, there is a paved and gated walkway from PCH to the beach. No dogs allowed on the beach! (BIG $$$ TICKET)
Coastal Access to Malibu Beach on Pacific Coast Highway
Coastal Access to Malibu Beach on Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu Beach – The Pacific Ocean
Alone on Malibu Beach – Malibu, California
Well, Almost Alone on Malibu Beach – Malibu, California
Malibu Beach – Malibu, California
Still Lunch with a view of David Geffen’s Beach House
Cricca’s Italian Deli’s NY Pastrami Sandwich with a View!
It was a beautiful day! Slightly overcast, but clear skies and not too hot. There was a cool ocean breeze and the sun came out. I forgot my beach chair in the car, but had a towel in my backpack that I spread out on the sand berm to make a place to sit.
We were almost totally alone on the beach with only two other people on the sand when we arrived and then a few people walked past while we enjoyed our lunch.
On the Menu: In addition to the NY Pastrami submarine sandwich we bought at Cricca’s, we packed a picnic lunch that included dill pickles, celery & carrots, tortilla chips, persian cucumbers, an apple and a banana. And we only brought water to drink…
After I finished eating, I took a little time to just sit and enjoy the sound of the ocean, the sea breeze and the calm of the beach. Then I did a little “on location” sketching (made a point to bring the pad and pencils) which I haven’t done in a very long time.
We finished our art project and packed up our stuff. We walked the beach for a little bit and then made our way back to the coastal access walkway. As we were preparing to cross the street, the StarLine open top van pulled up and parked in the middle of Pacific Coast Highway. They were taking pictures of David Geffen’s beach house, so I took a picture of them:
“Take A Picture, It’ll Last Longer!” – StarLine Tours Parked on Pacific Coast Highway
*NOTE*: I periscoped the drive through Topanga Canyon to the Pacific Ocean and then a Walk on Malibu Beach
We stopped at the Top O’Topanga Overlook on the way back from the beach:
Top O’Topanga Overlook – View of the San Fernando Valley
Top O’Topanga Overlook – View of the San Fernando Valley
Top O’Topanga Overlook – View of the San Fernando Valley
Top of Topanga Overlook: enter from Topanga Canyon Drive above the San Fernando Valley. The overlook provides outstanding views of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Santa Susana Mountains, the San Gabriel Mountains and the San Fernando Valley below. The 9 acre site has restroom facilities, interpretive displays, a drinking fountain, benches and picnic areas
Located at 3400 North Topanga Canyon Blvd – Free parking is available
Top O’Topanga Overlook – Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Parkland
The View of the San Fernando Valley from the Top O’Topanga Overlook
The View of the San Fernando Valley from the Top O’Topanga Overlook
NOTE: I periscoped the drive through Topanga Canyon to the Pacific Ocean and then a Walk on Malibu Beach and saved them both to Katch, and later to YouTube (link below)
RIGHT CLICK AND “OPEN IN NEW WINDOW” TO VIEW OUR YOUTUBE PAGE!>
Mount Haleakala Crater – Maui, Hawaii ~10,000 ft. – CLICK TO ENLARGE! (copyright 2010 JoshWillTravel)
Sunrise on Mount Haleakala “The House of the Sun” high above the clouds. This picture can’t do the unbelievable true beauty of Mother Nature and Madame Pele justice, but it’s still a great picture.
Plan your next tropical vacation to the islands of Hawaii.
Hello! Hola! Wilkommen! Bienvenue! Welcome to my travel blog JoshWillTravel!
I’ve named it JoshWillTravel because Josh (that’s me) will travel and blog about it here. Also, as a Travel Professional, it is my hope that by sharing my journeys and experiences you will be inspired to embark on your own travel adventures. This blog is interactive, so please join in the conversation. I welcome your questions, feedback, comments and emails.
Malibu Sunset – Pacific Palisades, California (copyright 2010 JoshWillTravel)
