Socially Distanced Road Trip: Weekend Central Coast Getaway in Nipomo

 

For Evan's spring break, we decided to pull off our first family overnight getaway in more than a year. After doing research on various possibilities, Maria found a bed and breakfast in the town of Nipomo.  The Kaleidoscope Inn and Gardens is a beautiful, historic Victorian home built in the 1800s and now a venue for weddings and events — or long weekends for guests like us.

What we liked about Nipomo was also its seclusion. It's not a big town, and although close to the 101, not crowded with people. We could walk around and explore, with our masks on, without feeling unsafe.

And what we found was some great nature at Oso Flaco, a park filled with a lake, sand dunes, and a long bridge leading you eventually to the beach and the ocean.

Nipomo is not a dining mecca, but did have some fun places to stop and eat, including the unique The Mayor's Place.

Of course, the B&B was dog-friendly, good enough for Jacks...

Who also enjoyed his view from the front of the surrey we rented in Pismo Beach.

Speaking of Pismo Beach, you can't see it here, but the streets were FILLED with people for spring break. Some masked, some not so much. We rode the other direction, away from them, and quickly left the town after our hour in the surrey was up.

Perhaps the highlight was the impromptu wine and cheese picnic we created in the backyard of the Kaleidoscope, featuring goodies we picked up at Trader Joe's.

A high recommendation. In fact, Maria's brother and his wife wound up here the following week and they, too, approve.

Socially Distanced Road Trip: Spring Break in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

 Two years ago, I took Evan up to the Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks for Spring Break. Last year was a wash, of course, but this year was Nathan's turn. Things were a bit different because of COVID -- certain shops weren't open, and we tried to be as safe and socially distanced as possible. But the nature was still beautiful. And as you'll see below, there was even a fresh overnight snowfall. (We brought up chains just in case, but thankfully the roads are regularly plowed and we didn't need to use them.)

Bonus: Field of wildflowers on the side of the road we found on the drive up.

We stayed at the Montecito-Sequoia Resort, located between the two parks. A wonderful spot, and as a bonus, the meals are included. Normally it's served buffet style, but due to COVID, it's currently handed out cafeteria style. You can eat outdoors or in your room... or now, inside, socially distanced.

Those giant sequoias!

Required visit is both the General Grant and General Sherman trees.

Socially Distanced Road Trip: The Last Surviving Woolworth's Lunch Counter, Found in Bakersfield

On the way to the Sequoias, I told Nathan we were making a quick detour to downtown Bakersfield. I wanted to check out the last remaining Woolworth's lunch counter. Not necessarily to eat there, since I'm still not quite ready to eat at an indoors restaurant. But at least to see it and poke around.

Amazing. The old signage is still up. Woolworth's officially shut down all of its five and dime stores in 1997, although the company exists to this day as Foot Locker. Most Woolworth stores are long gone, but this one in Bakersfield has been repurposed as an antiques store.

 

And here's the diner. Because of the wait, and the aforementioned desire not to eat inside at a restaurant just yet, we were fine with just looking.

This Fun Chicken machine would be fun to have! But way too expensive.