June on the California Coast

The month of June in California typically signals two things; the start of the glorious summertime and "June Gloom" when the marine layer hovers over Southern California. I happen to be a lover of both. While September may be the best month of the year at the beach for those of who are sun worshippers June offers morning fog and overcast that usually "burns off" in the afternoon. After a lifetime of living in SoCal I've grown to love both months but June has a certain charm and I scheduled three coast trips this year. We had originally planned a large family outing to Lassen but, as I write this, the highway through the Park still isn't open due to the massive snow California received last winter. The water is a blessing and, hey, despite missing family and friends, the beach ain't bad!

I started at a longtime favorite-Thornhill Broome Beach near Point Mugu. In the early 1980's I was living in Ventura, CA and attending UC Santa Barbara. On the weekends, to survive, I would work at my father's typesetting shop in Los Alamitos. While taking the 101 to the 405 was much faster I invariably found myself taking "the long way home" along Highway 1 through Santa Monica, Malibu and up to Ventura County. I'd drive by Thornhill Broome and see campers literally right on the beach and think- "one day I'm gonna go there". I have followed through on that thought - many, many times.

The stretch of coast from Port Hueneme to Neptune's Net in Northern Malibu is some of the best in Southern California. There are very few homes and the beach is often desolate and lonely despite its proximity to LA.

Lupe and Banjo joined me for the weekend. In addition, her cousin Mundo and his wife Jenn also joined us on Saturday night for a wonderful outdoor barbecue and bonfire. Prior to their arrival I hiked each day in Sycamore Canyon and near the wetlands just north of Mugu Rock.

After the weekend Lupe went back to finish off the school year and I drove north to windy Gaviota State Park.  I like it there and there may be more photos of that place here on the blog than any other place.  It is almost always ridiculously windy and this trip was no exception.  At one point I looked out the window and saw a dome tent rolling, end over end, directly at me.  It ended up hitting the side of the fiberglass trailer with a thud and then flew over the top and about 50 more yards away where it was finally stopped by a wooden fence.   Those folks left pretty quickly afterward.  

The wind is one of the reasons I like Gaviota so much.  It's in a small bowl along the coast, Kerouac slept here in "The Dharma Bums" and a train trestle is just overhead.  But, the wind howls down through Gaviota Pass and makes camping there, sans an RV, difficult (although I did it for years).  It generally keeps the amateur campers away.  After a few hours of contending with the wind they often, while loudly cursing, get in their car and go.  Can't blame them and gives me a bit more solitude.  

​Rumors abound that it may be closed soon.  I certainly hope not.  It's a treasure. 

Marty, famous Marty, joined me the last night of my stay in Gaviota.  He and I decided to hoist our old carcasses up a nearby peak to see some wind caves that I'd recently heard about.  While it's a short hike it is very steep in places.  We labored up the hills, sweating and mumbling to ourselves, but the destination was worth it. 

I returned home for a few days and then my 16 year old daughter, Lilly, and I drove up to an old favorite of ours Pismo Beach.  Lilly and I have been going to Pismo since she was a tot and we know the drill.  We shop, bowl and head for the pier.  Unfortunately, this year the Pismo Pier is going through a much needed rehabilitation and so it was off limits.   

I brought my camera but didn't really plan on taking any photos.  I wanted to devote my time and energy to "The Lilster".  However, on one of last days we were there Lilly asked if we could go to Margo Dodd park since she'd heard it was pretty cool.  Well, despite the heavy marine layer, it was indeed, "pretty cool".  The rocks were covered with pelicans and it was a joy to discover. 

I know, with Lilly reaching the latter part of her teen years and me getting older, we may not have many more trips with just the two of us.  It was a memorable trip and she is a wonderful traveling companion.  Her old man couldn't love her more if he tried.   Here are some photos of Lilly's day trip suggestion.