🦎🌞 ⛲️ 🌿 🏜️🪞
It’s good to be back in the 805!
For me, California is synonymous with nostalgia. My childhood was spent here on the tan, shrubby hills off of the Central Coast. For 5 years my family was stationed here at Vandenberg Air Force Base, offering us plenty of time to make California our home. These were formative years. From the ages of 7 to 12 I spent my days chasing blue bellied lizards, biking to the Shopette on base with friends, and braving the freezing cold waters of the Pacific Ocean til my toes turned blue! Now at the age of 19, my family pilgrimaged back to relive 5 years of core memories in 5 days.
Unfortunately, our journey down memory lane was briefly clouded by a mystery illness which knocked my brother and I out for half of our already short trip. We spent the first two days confined to our TLF (or Temporary Lodging Facility for those unfamiliar with the lingo that come with the life of being a military brat). It felt fitting. We spent a lot of time in these TLFs through our cross country moves, so there really was no better way to be transported back to our childhood than to be curled up here eating sugary cereal and watching cartoons.
Once we had recovered, we were free to explore through the fog ridden base, visiting places which were no longer filled with people, but with memories. We biked to the Commissary, to the Gazebo on Aspen Loop, and to the “village” we had created behind our church where we used to play with other children after Mass.
Our first venture outside the gates of Vandenberg was to trade our imaginary village for the nearby real-life village of Solvang. The flag of Denmark lines the streets, a windmill marks one end of town, and there’s even a museum honoring fairytale author Hans Christian Anderson! Solvang enhances the local Hispanic culture of California with a unique Danish flair. One of California’s 21 missions, Santa Ynez, is located within walking distance of Solvang’s downtown which gives visitors the opportunity to experience a blend of local history and culture. Enjoy wine tastings at some of the Central Coast’s renowned vineyards, then delight in the freshness of an authentic Danish pastry from a Solvang bakery. Solvang is the perfect spot to unwind in the hills of coastal California.
The one place I absolutely could not miss visiting was my beloved Hearst Castle. My love for Hearst Castle is anchored in my childhood desire of becoming an architect. While that dream has changed, I still hold a profound devotion to the unrivaled beauty of this estate. With artifacts from all times and places, Hearst Castle showcases the wonders of the world in one location. Ancient Greek pottery sits in an English Tudor style library, Roman sculptures lie just outside of the medieval themed dining room, and the Spanish inspired mansion contains many more artifacts from Asia to Africa and all around the globe. And the guests who frequented Hearst Castle were of equal notability. Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, and Hedy Lamarr are just a few of the historic figures of Old Hollywood who graced the estate with their grandeur. Visiting Hearst Castle today involves meeting some current stars of the scene. Hearst Castle sits atop an enchanted hill overlooking local elephant seals lounging on the beaches of San Simeon below. As an ode to the zoo which was included on the original property of Hearst Castle, no visit to this glamorous estate is complete without saying hello to these creatures below.
And as Vandenberg’s ode to us, we were lucky enough to witness a rocket launch. Not everyone can say their dad sent satellites into orbit or especially that they got to witness him launch a rocket on their birthday, so this was such a special occasion to be able to experience again. My family journeyed to The Boathouse, an old Coast Guard estate which has since been abandoned and turned into an event space for many of my family and family friends’ get togethers, to witness the event. It was every bit as foggy as California could be and every bit as cosmic as I remember.
The beauty and charm of this trip comes from my own timeless experiences, which aren’t easily replicated. Yes, Santa Maria tri tip was every bit as flavorful as I remember but I wasn’t enjoying it with family at the park. Seeing my old elementary school was sentimental, but my friends weren’t running on the playground and now I’m taller than most of my teachers. But the rich culture, deep history, and iconic landmarks still make California’s Central Coast a dreamy destination and I cannot wait to visit again and make new memories of my own.
Leave a comment