At the end of the summer, I traveled to the other side of the country for the very first time. A whole new world, filled with so many unknowns, was in my midst. The golden state of California was unlike anything I have ever seen before. From the uniquely colorful city of San Francisco, to the breathtaking shores of Monterey, the California Coast gave me a feeling unlike any other. As I traveled down the vibrant coastline, I was in awe by the scenic views that greatly contrasted the bland sights of living in Central New York. Stepping away from reality in the East for a while changed the way I looked at everyday life. Witnessing the overall beauty of California’s coast taught me to truly appreciate the little things that life has to offer.
   

When I got off the plane in San Francisco and walked outside into the bright afternoon, I was immediately struck with a strong vibe that this place was very different from my hometown. The blazing sun warmed my pale skin. Tall palm trees lined the highway ahead of me, with peculiar, exotic plants sprouting up beside them. The hills and mountains lining the distant horizon were golden due to lack of rain. Almost everything in my view was something new. When I arrived in downtown San Francisco, the first thing I noticed was the slanted streets we were driving along. Some streets were so steep that stairs were built along the sidewalks to assist passersby. Bright red trolley cars, filled with rowdy tourists, chugged up and down the streets with ease. Along the city’s rugged terrain, sat thousands of brightly painted buildings and houses. Each house seemed to be uniquely painted, adding its own flavor to the mix of other peculiar looking houses. The cheery attitude of the locals matched the vibrant colors of the city surrounding them. Love and happiness exuded from every corner. The words “Love is love” were plastered on buildings left and right. Stone sculptures were chiseled into the shape of hearts and placed in the local parks to represent the love and togetherness of the people of San Francisco. Being in the midst of so much beauty and inspiration put a smile on my face. It was the small aspects of San Francisco that left me with such a strong vibe, strengthening my appreciation for all the simple things that brought me joy in life.

Moving away from the bustling city of San Francisco, I headed to a more blissful place on the California Coast. Before I got there, I traveled across the most famous landmark around, The Golden Gate Bridge. I had an image in my head of this massive bright orange structure standing tall in the wake of the city, but the actual sight didn’t build up to this expectation. Dense fog formed along the top of the bridge like a blanket, making it look as if only the bottom portion of the bridge existed. The fog, however, gave it a mystic effect. I drove across the bridge and made my way to Mill Valley. There I ventured down a narrow, winding road to Muir Woods, where I experienced the intense natural beauty of California. I was immediately in awe by the towering Redwood trees that hovered three hundred feet above me. Being surrounded by these natural skyscrapers made me feel so small. The trees blocked out most of the sunlight, causing unique vegetation to grow sporadically across the forest floor. The clean, fresh air exuding from the breathing trees left me feeling rejuvenated. It was oddly quiet standing in the middle of the dense forest. Not a single animal made itself known to visitors. The empty greenness of the area gave me a feeling of pure serenity, something I rarely take the time to appreciate. I was reminded then to be grateful for the fascinating world I live in.

In my next adventure, I traveled down the coast to see the luring ocean front of California. On my seventeen-mile drive along the coast in Monterey, I was intrigued by the immense natural beauty of the rocky shores. Ginormous rock formations sprouted up from the shallow waters. Waves crashed loudly against their hard surfaces. The blissful sound of the ocean front was music to my ears. At one point on my drive, I saw a group of sea lions sunbathing atop the jagged rocks, sprawling their fat bodies out to dry in the heat. They were as content as could be, relating to how I felt in that very moment. The ocean in Monterey has a special place in my heart for teaching me that the simplicity of nature was something to appreciate everyday.

The endless beauty of California’s Coast, whether it was the atmosphere in San Francisco or its inviting natural landscapes, changed the way I witness the world. I now step outside everyday and observe all the goodness that surrounds me, and I am beyond grateful.