It never captured our fancy until the day weather intervened.
Every time we take a day trip to Big Sur, there’s this beach just before Point Lobos that seems ordinary yet often has lots of people in it. Didn’t understand the appeal till…
Supposed to be a great weather weekend, so we drove towards our Off The Grid Summer spot towards Big Sur. As we entered Moss Landing, no Sun in sight. My heart sunk. I had to decide whether to turn back to Santa Cruz where it was sunny or drive further and hope the Sun is shining bright somewhere in that direction.
Full Sun at Sand City. Our mood immediately skyrocketed.
By Carmel-by-the-Sea, Sun gone again. Heart sunk for the second time. We can’t gamble our Family Day anymore as it was getting late, 4 P.M. late. So, we decided to stop to the nearest beach that has full Sun and trust everything to fate.
From the road, Monastery Beach doesn’t look scenic at all, but it’s only when you enter it’s world do you see what truly draws people here.
It’s magic and solitude, wonder and happiness, all wrap in one perfect adventure.
Monastery Beach is happy Sun and peaceful blues, mystic grey fog and playful shape shifting clouds in a spellbinding masquerade ball from sky, land and sea.
Enchanting on one side from Sunrise to Sunset. Dramatic on the other where the mountain silhouettes transition from clear to fading, almost like how we feel when saying goodbye but our hearts are not yet ready to leave and let go.
Breathtaking. Moving. Inspiring. Nostalgic.
Eerie East, a massive fog rose suddenly and quickly from the sea swallowing everything in its path, people and houses included. Everything and everyone seemed like they just vanished into thin air, my wife inside our tent included.
After 2 hours of cooking and eating, my son and I took a hike and explored what lies beyond the old Cypress Trees and chiseled rocks. I love food but I love adventure more, and my feet was getting itchy restless.
Ethereal and unexpected, Monastery Beach was giving us panoramic views like we’ve never seen before and moments we haven’t experienced from the other beaches we’d been.
Impressive. Humbled. We were fortunate to witness a precious glimpse of creation that is both powerful and divine.
As the Sun started to go down, we tried to capture as fast as we could the remaining golden moments of the day.
On the way back to our tent, an intense rush of contentment, joy and gratitude.
We don’t have to plan too much to experience something beautiful and surreal. We just embrace spontaneity and allow it to do what it does best.
Trust that fate, even weather will intervene and take us places beyond our wildest imagination.
Incredible ethereal and unexpected surprises happen when we let go and let God.
This Man's Journey 
This look like a real paradise! Stunning pictures!
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Thanks . When it wants to, it allows the visitor enter a realm like no other. We’re just in luck to be there when it was glowing close to sunset. Last time pass by it was too gloomy and foggy and hardly any people. Thanks.
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Amazing
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Thanks.
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WLcm
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Plz follow me
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Just did. Thanks
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wlcm
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🙏
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Beautiful flowers 🌹 🌸 🌺
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Thanks
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These pictures are ethereal 💙
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Thanks
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Beautiful pictures!
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Thanks
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Marvellous!
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Thanks
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Literally it’s amazing
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Thanks. I thought so too when I saw it. Photos really don’t sum up what I was seeing in person.
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Absolutely spectacular and fascinating! I understood why Big Sur is considered so beautiful!
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Just one of the many nature wonder that awaits. Thanks.
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Pingback: Monastery Beach, Ethereal and Unexpected – Dieu dirige toujours
Beautiful.
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Thanks
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So … so lovely pictures:) Amazing places to discover, too:)
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Thanks. It’s one of those beaches that calls you back again and again because every visit is a happy moment like no other.
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This looks like a lovely beach. Glad you found a slice of sunshine and were able to watch the sun set. The scenery looks spectacular!
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Thanks. It’s amazing how the Sun affects how our day, moments and mood will turn out to be. So far, I was only able to explore the right side of the beach and hiking trail from Carmel, & I bet another wonder will unveil on its left side from next to Point Lobos.
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Pretty photos!! 😍
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Thanks
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What a beautiful place to be, wished I had known about it before. I just got back from a most heavenly trip up to the coast to Big Sur and Carmel. And Thank you to one of your former posts I went hiking to Garrapata State Park it was the most gorgeous hike I have done on my trip. Thank you ever for your recommendation. BTW, did you ever do the hike to Salmon Creek waterfalls?
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I’m glad you did. Honestly, Garappata state park is a much better experience than more popular Mcway Falls which though beautiful is more just to take pictures because visitors can’t really get close to experience it unlike Garappata. Haven’t been to Salmon Creek Waterfalls yet but will try too. Mostly work this Summer for me as we’re short staff and day off is either rest or just day trips. Thanks for sharing your adventure, it’s nice to know someone too experience the magic in our favorite nature destination. Take care.
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Thank you for responding, as soon as I have more time I publish my images from my trip, I don’t know if you are a follower of mine.
Oh, have you been at the River Inn, where you can sit in the river on those chairs? That is so much fun. Well take care until some other time.
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Yes, been to River Inn. It’s is so much fun and very relaxing. I hope to go back. Usually just been taking day trips but I hope to one day stay overnight and just enjoy the abundant nature around it. Take care.
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Have you been at the Elfin Forest in Morrow Bay?
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No. My friends keep telling me to check Morrow Bay. Perhaps soon. Thanks.
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You will like it, the entire Morrow Bay is really beautiful,
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Will check it out hopeful before Summer ends. Thanks.
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Wow! Gorgeous photos. Looks like you had a nice trip. Love how the fog rolled in, made everything more magical 💖
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We did. I’m grateful for the moment. Thanks 🙏
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There’s perhaps no other state that captures the essence of a carefree, sun-kissed lifestyle than California, and its beaches are a big part of the appeal. Thanks for sharing such wonderful photos 🙂 Aiva
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Thanks Aiva. My co-worker just came back from Florida & showed me her beautiful Sun Tan but she said, “Water is warm but California still has the most beautiful beaches with its cliffs and mountains.” The Pandemic Travel caution made me see and discover even more what California has to offer. I actually feel spoiled when it comes to beaches selection. It’s not just about where but where it’s most scenic within 1-1 1/2 distance N, S, E, W.
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Totally beautiful! And the fog just added a little mystic beauty 💙💙
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Thanks. Fog are fascinating. They are most visible in Summer which is surprising because I always thought they happen when it’s cold during Winter. Northern California coast is very temperamental in just minute to hours. From Happy Sunny to Sad, scary Zero viability. Bring ready for anything and just have adventure whatever has been our mindset when we do day trips because not expecting anything gives us more reasons to be grateful and joyful what great things happens.
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And that is a fantastic attitude!
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Thanks
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That is quite the breathtaking scenery you have. The way the sun lit that purple flower is beautiful. And the water must’ve been so calming to look at! I love that your family pitch a tent and have a portable grill handy with you. Now that’s how you really enjoy life!
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I’m so lucky and pampered , got 2 chef now. Son is into cooking lately and he did all the grilling at the beach. I haven’t stayed put to eat for 2 hours long before but I did at this place. It’s was relaxing and so filling. When we don’t expect much and just surrender to adventure, truly an even more surprising revelation of moments and experiences. Thanks Ab. Have a great weekend. It’s Adventure time again. Regards to your family.
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Wow! Absolutely amazing!
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Thanks i
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Beautiful! Just like in life, the sunshine comes and goes. But the good outweighs the bad! Blessings.
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I’d like to believe too that the good outweighs the bad. That is hope and strength to keep trying , living, giving, doing . God bless. 🙏 Thanks
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A little bad weather can make the scene so much more beautiful. Nicely done. Thanks for sharing. Alln
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True. Thanks.
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Looks amazing!
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Thanks . Been passing this beach for 5 years and never knew how beautiful it was till the day Weather said, “stop and see this.”
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Beautiful day and beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing. Mel
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Thanks.
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Wow, these are such gorgeous photos. I love your words! God bless you 💞
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Thanks. God does reveals himself through the Beauty and Magnificence of his Creations. Just blessed to witness it all. It’s Hope really that things will be ok.
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Just love the colors and perspectives!
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Thanks
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Wow! Breathtaking!
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Thanks
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