Day 1

Traveling to California


Jeremiah and I wake up at 3:00am on June 19, 2022 — Father’s Day, because of course, why not celebrate by being awake before the sun? The night before, we had packed like responsible adults (well… mostly), so now it’s just a matter of getting dressed, brushing our teeth, and devouring the last muffins from Milly’s, a local coffee shop. With our home locked up tighter than Fort Knox, we wait at the end of the driveway for our Lyft, which arrives promptly at 3:30am. Our driver, Tyro, rolls up in a shiny new Tesla and casually mentions he’s a Dubstep DJ. Naturally, we follow him on Instagram immediately (@ItsTyroMusic) because this is the sort of magical, slightly surreal adventure that feels straight out of a novel.


At Denver International Airport, our master plan of checking just one suitcase crumbles under the weight of reality — and a very heavy suitcase — so we end up checking both. The security line snakes halfway down baggage claim like a slithering, passive-aggressive dragon, and I swear it’s the longest I’ve ever seen. Yet somehow, we arrive at Terminal C just in time to board. The flight is half-full, leaving us a row to ourselves, which we turn into an impromptu Cribbage tournament: three games, I win one, Jeremiah wins two, and he is crowned the winner.

A passenger looks out an airplane window during flight.

Landing in California


Landing in San Jose, we’re greeted by my mom, Lisa, who practically sprints into our arms for hugs at baggage claim. My dad, Jonah, waits outside. The four of us drive to their house in Campbell to unload most of our luggage before venturing out to Capitola for breakfast.

Capitola


Avenue Café beckons, and we indulge. Afterwards, we wander downtown and stop at Mr. Toot’s for coffee. Naturally, I pause along the way to photograph everything that catches my eye: raised railroad tracks draped in greenery, palm leaves like fanfares, and a row of painted houses that seem to have sprung straight from a painter’s dream.

Wooden beams and green foliage create a natural architectural pattern.
White stucco archway entrance with wrought iron gate and terracotta steps.
A charming stone pathway lined with white picket fences leads through lush greenery and tall trees.
Sunlight streaming through tropical palm fronds creating a natural pattern.
A colorful hillside garden with vibrant foliage and hidden structures peeking through the trees.
Row of vibrant pastel-colored beach houses along the California coast.
Sunlit garden pergola covered with climbing vines and wooden slats.
Green vines climb up an old wooden trestle against bright blue sky.

Natural Bridges State Park


Our next stop is Natural Bridges State Park, where we set up camp on the beach. The water is so cold it makes Jeremiah reconsider every life choice that led him here, while I wade in the sea with my camera, blissfully ignoring the shivers. We explore tide pools, spotting anemones and crabs as if we’ve stumbled into a miniature fantasy world where the sea murmurs its secrets to us.

Purple sea anemone among yellow rocks and black mussels in a tide pool.
Group of cormorants gathered on rocky coastal cliffs, their dark feathers contrasting against the stone.
Cluster of mussels clinging to rocks at low tide along the coastline.
Rocky tide pool with crashing waves and blue ocean in the background on a sunny day.
Natural Bridge Rock at Santa Cruz beach with waves crashing against its dramatic stone arch formation.
A pelican perched on top of a weathered coastal rock formation against blue sky.
Abstract pattern of lichen and mineral deposits creating a natural design on weathered stone.
Seabirds perched on a rocky cliff formation against a bright blue sky.
Dramatic ocean wave splashing against moss-covered rocks with water spray in the air.
Ocean waves crash near Natural Bridge Rock formation at Santa Cruz beach.

Santa Cruz


Santa Cruz calls next. First, we stop at Mythic Games — though the name suggests epic quests and magical battles, the store disappoints with a meager game selection. Still, we find Azul: Queen’s Garden. Bookshop Santa Cruz is mostly new books, but that’s no matter — next door, Comicopolis redeems the day with shelves stacked in glorious chaos, and we snag The Tea Dragon Society and Autumn Harvest. At The Hat Company, I cannot resist a giant straw sunhat and a green sunhat, because one must protect oneself from the Californian sun with flair. Finally, Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting provides perfectly blended drinks — an elixir for mere mortals and travelers alike.

Aptos


The beach at Santa Cruz proves too crowded for our tastes, so we journey a little further to Rio Del Mar in Aptos. Seashell hunting becomes a noble quest, Jeremiah indulges, and Jonah tests his brand-new metal detector like an intrepid adventurer. Before we leave, an otter appears far offshore — elusive, mischievous, and entirely magical.

Red sailboat on bright blue ocean waters under clear sky.
Sandy beach stretching along the Pacific coast with waves rolling in.

End of the Day


Back at the parent's house, dinner is a warm, comforting spread of orange chicken, rice, and broccoli. Jeremiah and I reorganize our luggage like seasoned elves packing for an epic journey. With a borrowed car and hearts full of adventure, we hit the road north toward Redwood National Park, arriving at the Comfort Inn in Ukiah just as the day tips into night. Sleep claims me quickly, my dreams filled with towering trees, tide pools, and the smell of the sea.