There’s a kind of freedom that only comes when you’re packed into a car with your best mates, a couple of surfboards and nothing on the agenda but waves, fuel stops, and playlists. This was that trip.
From the golden charm of Santa Barbara to the rugged magic of San Dollar Beach in Big Sur, we chased coastline and caught memories, riding that fine line between surf trip and soul reset.
We kicked things off under the warm Santa Barbara sun—smooth coffee, breakfast burrito, and straight onto Highway 101. With two of my best cross-continent mates, the laughs came easy. We rolled into San Luis Obispo for the night, where the vibe is equal parts college town and cowboy cool.
Early light, light winds, and that prehistoric-looking rock looming in the distance. Morro Bay turned it on for us—clean little peaks, just enough punch, and the kind of crowd that shares waves and smiles in equal measure. Post-surf grinds at High St Deli were non-negotiable.
Somewhere along the way, we passed a roadside meet-up of vintage hot rods—chrome shining under the California sun like a scene from a forgotten 70s film.
The closer you get to Big Sur, the quieter it gets. The road narrows, the cliffs steepen, and suddenly the world feels like it’s been turned down to a low hum. San Dollar greeted us with mist, empty waves, and the kind of solitude that surfers dream about. We paddled out into glassy, untamed perfection—just us, the ocean, and the smell of redwoods wafting off the hills.
We weren’t chasing anything on this trip—just good surf, good food, and better company. And we found it all. There’s something healing about a road trip like this. You leave a little lighter, a little saltier, and a whole lot more grateful.
