We are lucky to live in a gorgeous part of the world. We’re surrounded by beaches, forests, mountains, vineyards, lakes, and many other natural wonders.
When we moved back to Santa Barbara at the beginning of last year, I was determined to really ENJOY our surroundings and take full advantage of what the area has to offer.
And then we got busy. With school, work, having a baby. You know, stuff.
So yesterday when I saw a posting on a local news site about something that’s pretty cool and unique to our area, I decided to pack the boys up and go.
Within about 15 minutes we were dressed and on our way to the Coronado Butterfly Preserve, which is just a few miles from our house.
Every year, thousands of Monarch Butterflies winter in the Eucalyptus grove. The dense tree canopy provides them shelter until the weather improves and they can continue their trek South.
The trees are literally covered in butterflies.
It’s a pretty amazing thing to see.
From there, it’s a short walk to the bluffs above the ocean, so I convinced the boys to walk out there.
They weren’t 100% on board with our adventure because it had interrupted a fierce Mario Kart battle, but I wasn’t willing to give in.
The bluffs are amazing, because the scenery is so diverse.
If you look southeast you see this:
And if you turn around and look behind you, you see this:
It’s absolutely gorgeous.
The boys even thought it was pretty cool, and stopped talking about their video games for a bit. Which is really a small miracle.
We headed back to the car eventually, but took a little detour down a path by a creek.
I see many more adventures like this ahead of us.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Absolutely gorgeous!
Beautiful!
I really need to move…
punkinmama´s last [type] ..letting go
I’m so envious of your gorgeous scenery!
I am currently looking at a pasture full of manure. It’s just as lovely as it sounds.
Dre´s last [type] ..The Corner Table
I want to go to there.
Those pics bring back a flood of fond memories for me. My Grandparents lived in Carpenteria just South of SB. And almost every day during our visits we would walk to the eucalyptus groves on the bluffs and look at the seals. It was very cool as a kid to see seals only a short walk from their house!
Heather´s last [type] ..Wasting the Day Away- He has Until 2pm
LOVE Santa Barbs… I’d move there in a heartbeat. That last photo of the boys is what I remember most about SB, the house I stayed at in the mountains was up a street that was lined with trees like that arching over the road. Spectacular!
Denise´s last [type] ..A little snow falling- I picked up a paintbrush- and let go
Gorgeous! I need me some beach. Also, the butterfly thing is cool but almost creepy too. I have issues.
That is so gorgeous! I love butterflies too
Amazing. That is why I live in California. Not that we take advantage all the time, but it’s nice to know it’s there
Jen´s last [type] ..The Sketches on the Wall
Great photos. I need to get my kids out there and see stuff around here too.
Slow Panic´s last [type] ..January So Far
Wow, what a beautiful location. It’s like something out of a movie.
Neeroc´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday – Taffy Lane
So nice! I wanna go there!
AmazingGreis´s last [type] ..Goal setting for 2011…
Absolutely fabulous.
Can I be your neighbor??
PsychMamma´s last [type] ..Noodle Trick
I want to go to there.