Monterey, CA Sea Lions & Scenery

On the 17th May 2025, my parents and I took a trip to Monterey, CA and Pacific Grove, CA. We visited Coast Guard Pier, Monterey State Historic Park, Presidio of Monterey, Lovers Point Park, and more. I took photos on my phone and on my Olympus mirrorless camera, and the photos are split into 2 posts. I hope you enjoy viewing my photos!

High Resolution Photos: If you want to see high resolution photos of any of the photos you see here, use the following links. If you wish to purchase prints of any of the photos, please contact me here. To view my best Monterey, CA photos, use this link. To view my best sea lion photos, use this link. To see all of my photos from this trip, use this link.

Parts: Cellphone Photos | Olympus Photos

This blog post has the Olympus photos I took. The photos are from several locations in Monterey, CA. Photos are from San Carlos Beach, Coast Guard Pier, and Monterey Bay Coastal Trail.

Message from the Photographer: I know these photos are posted incredibly late, unfortunately Long COVID is now destabilizing my condition quite rapidly. I have not been feeling very good for the past month.

We parked at Presidio of Monterey and walked a loop around the coastal wharf areas. I first checked out the museum at the presidio, and also the Sloat Monument (no photos). After that we walked over to San Carlos Beach and Coast Guard Pier.

A scenery photo of San Carlos Beach, Monterey Bay (right), scuba divers, people, clouds, and buildings.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 36° 36' 34" N 121° 53' 42" W

A black and white process of the photo above.

A photo of a sea lion, rocks, and Monterey Bay shot at Coast Guard Pier at Monterey Marina.

A black and white process of the photo above.

A photo of a sea lion, rocks, and Monterey Bay shot at Coast Guard Pier at Monterey Marina.

A photo of sleeping sea lions, rocks, and Monterey Bay shot at Coast Guard Pier at Monterey Marina.

A photo of sea lions, rocks, and Monterey Bay shot at Coast Guard Pier at Monterey Marina.

A photo of sea lions, rocks, and Monterey Bay shot at Coast Guard Pier at Monterey Marina.

A photo of a sleeping sea lion and Monterey Bay shot at Boat Launch Ramp at Monterey Marina.

A black and white process of the photo above.

A photo of a sleeping sea lion and rocks shot at Boat Launch Ramp at Monterey Marina.

A black and white process of the photo above.

A photo of a sea lion and rocks shot at Boat Launch Ramp at Monterey Marina.

A black and white process of the photo above.

A photo of a sea lion, rocks, and Monterey Bay (top left) shot at Boat Launch Ramp at Monterey Marina.

A black and white process of the photo above.

A scenery photo of boats, yachts, clouds, Monterey Bay, and mountains. The photo was shot at Boat Launch Ramp at Monterey Marina.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 36° 36' 33" N 121° 53' 36" W

A black and white process of the photo above.

A scenery photo of Coast Guard Pier, yachts, boats, clouds, Monterey Bay, and mountains. The photo was shot at Boat Launch Ramp at Monterey Marina.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 36° 36' 32" N 121° 53' 36" W

Afterwards, we went for a walk along Monterey Bay Coastal Trail.

A scenery photo of Monterey Marina, yachts, boats, Coast Guard Pier, Monterey Bay, clouds, and rocks (bottom left). The photo was shot at Sister City Park.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 36° 36' 28" N 121° 53' 39" W

A scenery photo of boats, yachts, Old Fisherman's Wharf (right), Municipal Wharf II (center), Monterey Bay, clouds, mountains, and rocks (bottom). The photo was shot on Monterey Bay Coastal Trail.

Approximate GPS location (type into Google): 36° 36' 23" N 121° 53' 40" W

A black and white process of the photo above.

Unfortunately soon after this, the kit lens broke on my Olympus mirrorless camera, so the rest of the photos from this trip were shot on my cellphone. You can view the cellphone photos in my other blog post.

This is all the photos for today. I hope you have enjoyed viewing the photos! Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

Parts: Cellphone Photos | Olympus Photos

Copyright Warning: These photos are some of my best and most popular works of art. Unauthorized usage and reproductions are strictly prohibited. Please contact me here to purchase prints and negotiate photo licenses.

Monterey Rock & Rod Festival (21 June 2025) - Cellphone Photos

On the 21st June 2025, my parents and I went to Sand City, CA to see a Ford vehicle at a Ford dealership. Unfortunately once we got there, we found out it was already sold. We headed for Monterey, which was when we came across the ongoing Monterey Rock & Rod Festival at Custom House Plaza. I took photos with my cellphone. I hope you enjoy viewing my photos!

Please note, while I do like seeing vintage vehicles, I am not a vintage vehicle geek, and neither do I know much about it, so the photos aren't going to be labeled in any detail unfortunately. 

Message from the Photographer: While I try to post cellphone photos in a timely manner, unfortunately Long COVID is wrecking havoc on my health and energy levels. I have had to stop the experimental medication my doctor gave me due to poor tolerance of the side effects. 

A photo of a vintage white Lincoln vehicle and event goers. The photo was shot at the Monterey Rock & Rod Festival at Custom House Plaza.

A photo of the Heart By Heart band playing at the Monterey Rock & Rod Festival at Custom House Plaza.

A photo of a vintage red Ford pickup truck and event goers. The photo was shot at the Monterey Rock & Rod Festival at Custom House Plaza.

A photo of a vintage red pickup truck and event goers. The photo was shot at the Monterey Rock & Rod Festival at Custom House Plaza.

A photo of a vintage red vehicle and event goers. The photo was shot at the Monterey Rock & Rod Festival at Custom House Plaza.

A photo of a vintage red vehicle and event goers. The photo was shot at the Monterey Rock & Rod Festival at Custom House Plaza.

A photo of a vintage vehicles and event goers. The photo was shot at the Monterey Rock & Rod Festival at Custom House Plaza.

A photo of a vintage vehicles and event goers. The photo was shot at the Monterey Rock & Rod Festival at Custom House Plaza.

A photo of Old Fisherman's Wharf, boats, yachts, mountains, and Monterey Bay.

This is all the photos for today. I hope you have enjoyed viewing the photos! Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

San Gregorio State Beach & El Granada, CA (Cellphone Photos)

Today, on the 17th December 2025, I had to go to Atherton, CA to see a Stanford long COVID specialist. Luckily, this is the week one of my medications is still in effect, so I have a bit more energy. After the doctors appointment, my mom and I decided go to State Route 1 for some fun. We went to San Gregorio State Beach in San Gregorio, CA and El Granada, CA. At the end of this blog post, I also included some photos of the 2 restaurants I ate at. I hope you enjoy viewing my photos!

My mom and I's first stop on State Route 1 is San Gregorio State Beach in San Gregorio, CA.

A scenery photo of San Gregorio Creek, hills, beach (left), and clouds. The photo was shot at San Gregorio State Beach in San Gregorio, CA.

A scenery photo of State Route 1 (San Gregorio Creek Bridge), San Gregorio Creek, Pacific Ocean (in the distance), beach, and clouds. The photo was shot at San Gregorio State Beach in San Gregorio, CA.

A scenery photo of San Gregorio Creek, seagulls (in the distance), Pacific Ocean (in the distance), beach, and clouds. The photo was shot at San Gregorio State Beach in San Gregorio, CA.

A scenery photo of San Gregorio Creek (left), hills, beach, trees, and clouds. The photo was shot at San Gregorio State Beach in San Gregorio, CA.

A scenery photo of Pacific Ocean, beach, and clouds. The photo was shot at San Gregorio State Beach in San Gregorio, CA.

A scenery photo of seagulls, Pacific Ocean, beach, clouds, and mountains. The photo was shot at San Gregorio State Beach in San Gregorio, CA.

A scenery photo of seagulls, Pacific Ocean, beach, clouds, and mountains. The photo was shot at San Gregorio State Beach in San Gregorio, CA.

My mom and I's last stop on State Route 1 was El Granada, CA.

A scenery photo of Pacific Ocean, rocks, clouds, and mountains (in the distance). The photo was shot on California Coastal Trail (near Pillar Point RV Park) in El Granada, CA.

A scenery photo of yachts, Pillar Point Harbor, clouds, and mountains. The photo was shot at Johnson Pier at Pillar Point Harbor in El Granada, CA.

A scenery photo of yachts, Pillar Point Harbor, clouds, and mountains. The photo was shot at Johnson Pier at Pillar Point Harbor in El Granada, CA.

A scenery photo of yachts, Pillar Point Harbor, clouds, and mountains. The photo was shot at Johnson Pier at Pillar Point Harbor in El Granada, CA.

Next up are some of the bonus photos from the restaurants I ate at on my trip. 

My mom and I got up at 6 AM in the morning so I can be on time for my doctors appointment with the Stanford long COVID specialist in Atherton, CA. I didn't eat breakfast before I left. I normally don't get up until past 9 AM, but unfortunately my appointment is at 9 AM. I would have scheduled a later appointment, but unfortunately the next available one was in April, and if you have been following me, you know how long COVID is wrecking havoc on my life. After the appointment, my mom and I went to Mexcal Taqueria (3215 Middlefield Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025) for brunch. The food was spicy and awesome!

The chips and salsa I ate at Mexcal Taqueria.

 A photo inside Mexcal Taqueria.

A photo of the veggie burrito I ate at Mexcal Taqueria.

For dinner, I went back to my usual place in Half Moon Bay, CA to order take out, Monsoon Himalayan Cuisine (20 Stone Pine Rd STE B, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019). I love the vegetarian options at this place, and they have plenty! Nothing better than South Asian vegetarian cuisine.

A photo of the decorations in Monsoon Himalayan Cuisine.

A photo inside Monsoon Himalayan Cuisine.

A photo inside Monsoon Himalayan Cuisine.

A photo of the decorations in Monsoon Himalayan Cuisine.

This is all the photos for today. I hope you have enjoyed viewing the photos! Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

Nike Missile Site SF-88L & Sausalito, CA (Cellphone Photos)

On the 7th December 2024, my parents and I took a trip to Nike Missile Site SF-88L at Marin Headlands in Golden Gate National Recreation Area in Marin County CA, and Sausalito, CA. It was very smoggy in the SF Bay Area, so there weren't many photo opportunities. I took photos on my phone and on my Olympus mirrorless camera, and the photos are split into 3 posts. I hope you enjoy viewing my photos!

Parts: 1 | 2 | Cellphone Photos

These are the photos I took with my cellphone. The photos were shot at Nike Missile Site SF-88L and Sausalito, CA. The smog was really heavy so there really wasn't any opportunity for scenery photos. 

We begin our trip with Nike Missile Site SF-88L at Marin Headlands in Golden Gate National Recreation Area in Marin County CA.

The Nike Missile Site SF-88L is open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 12 PM to 3 PM and on the first Saturday of every month, volunteers give tours of the site. Most of the volunteers giving the tours are veterans who have served at this site in the past. This is the first time I've been inside of the site due to the limited time that it is open for.

Before I get into the funny story, if you don't know, on the 5th December 2024, there was a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that shook northern California and the effects of it were felt all the way down to the SF Bay Area. A few minutes after the shaking, everyone's phones went off with a tsunami evacuation warning, which was later cancelled due to the earthquake not being the type that generates tsunamis. One of the volunteers/veterans told a funny story from last Thursday during the earthquake and tsunami warning. Apparently they had a group of visiting cadets from a landlocked area of the US and the cadets have never seen the ocean before. They received quite a jolt at the site as it is on the fault line. At first there were some panic amongst the cadets as they never experienced anything like it. A few minutes later everyone's phones went off with the tsunami warning. The veterans told them "We have to evacuate now", but the cadets had other plans. The cadets insisted on hiking up a nearby hill to see the tsunami coming in. The veterans had no choice but to let them do that. These cadets have never seen the ocean, and apparently thought the fog and smog were the waves. They posted photos and videos to the internet saying they got to witness a tsunami and an earthquake. Some higher up military officials apparently saw it and started calling the NPS and the volunteers being like "Are you crazy? Why didn't you all evacuate? You let them watch the tsunami?" The volunteers had to explain the cadets didn't listen to them and that the tsunami never came.

A photo of missiles at Nike Missile Site SF-88L in Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

A photo of missiles at Nike Missile Site SF-88L in Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

A photo of a missile computer at Nike Missile Site SF-88L in Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

A photo of missiles at Nike Missile Site SF-88L in Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

A photo of missiles at Nike Missile Site SF-88L in Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

We spent the last half our trip walking around Sausalito, CA. There really weren't any photo opportunities here due to how heavy the smog was. The only San Francisco you can see from Sausalito was just a very faint outline of the skyscrapers. 

A sunset and smog scenery photo of clouds and yachts at Sausalito Yacht Harbor in Sausalito, CA. In the background in the center is Mt. Tamalpais.

A sunset and smog scenery photo of clouds, yachts at Sausalito Yacht Harbor, and Sausalito, CA.

A sunset and smog scenery photo of clouds, San Francisco (in the distance on the left), San Francisco Bay (left), Scoma's of Sausalito & The Trident (left), sidewalk (center), Bridgeway (right), and buildings (right) taken in Sausalito, CA.

This is all the photos for today. I hope you have enjoyed viewing the photos! Please don't forget to share the blog post with your friends and family members! Also, if you want to get notifications when I post up more photos, "Like" us on Facebook or follow me on Instagram. These links can also be found on the top of the right sidebar.

Parts: 1 | 2 | Cellphone Photos