A Sister's Get-Away to the Coast!

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. ​  But, all opinions expressed are my own. ​

     No one reminded me that yesterday was Sister's Day!  I found out late in the evening!  It was one of my sister's wedding anniversary.  So, in honor of those two things, I thought I would re-post this popular account of our sister's retreat last year.  I've been hoping that we could do another on this year, but with the pandemic going on, I don't know if it will happen.  As I reviewed this post, it makes me hope it happens even more! 

     I have 4 wonderful sisters.  I love them all dearly and one thing I have wanted to do for a long time is go a sister's get-away with them.  Unfortunately, one of our sisters passed away unexpectedly a few years ago.  Since that time we have all felt a longing to hang onto each other a little more tightly.  So, when my sister Carol's children gave her a get-away trip with her sisters for her birthday, it was the perfect way to get us started at taking time to be with each other! THANKS CAROL'S KIDS!  
     The plans for this trip all came about very quickly, so it required some quick planning and organizing on all our parts to make it happen.  Our youngest sister wasn't able to make it happen this time and we really missed having her on the trip with us. But, the three of us that did go had so much fun that we have promised her that we will plan another trip a little farther in advance so that she can make arrangements in time. 
     Our trip was to a coastal town in California called Cayucos.  Our hotel was right on the beach!  It was amazing!  Since I live in Arizona, that meant a plane flight for me.  Here is how I made it happen as inexpensively as possible:

The Plane Flight:

•  As soon as I knew that I had people to watch my granddaughter while I was gone, (My husband and my Son-in-law), I got online and made my plane reservation.  I have learned from experience that the earlier you make the reservation, the more likely you are to get a good price!  I used Travelocity to search for the best prices and ended up flying on American Airlines. I paid $217 for a round trip fare from Phoenix to Fresno.  Just before I left, I looked again and flights were over $400.  I also purchased the cancellation insurance for $19, just in case.
• On most airlines, including American, you are charged for checked luggage.  Southwest doesn't charge for your first bag, but they don't fly into Fresno, CA, where I was going.  You may take a fairly large carry-on plus a personal item for free.  Since I was going to be gone for 5 days, I packed clothes and what I needed into my carry on duffel bag and took a purse.  You can take a very roomy purse if necessary.  If your carry-on is pretty big, when you are at the gate, American offers valet service at the end of the ramp before you get on the plane and will take your bag for you there and return it when you exit the plane in the same area.  This saved me from having to stuff my heavy duffel into the overhead compartment.  The wait to get it back is much shorter than going to collect it from baggage claim. 

      We stayed at the Shoreline Inn in Cayucos.  The sliding back door of our room opened up to this gorgeous view of the ocean.  When they say shoreline, they mean it!  We were right on the beach and it was wonderful! 

This photo is from Shoreline's Website. If you click on it you will go to their page where you can book a room! They have many beautiful pictures of the hotel and the surrounding area.

My sisters and I outside of our room on the grassy area before the beach!

    The first day that we were there, the weather was beautiful and we saw a large pod of dolphins!  The water was like glass, with only tiny, near to the shore waves and it was easy to see the dolphins jumping and swimming and enjoying themselves.  It was amazing!  Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me, so you will just have to trust me that it was a fantastic sight! 
      While we were there, we drove to neighboring areas of Morro Bay, Pismo Beach and Cambria.  The views were beautiful and we ate some wonderful seafood at various restaurants.  I was in heaven, eating salmon and shrimp! 

Anyone who has been to Morro Bay will recognize that big rock, or as you will hear on Finding Dory, "The Jewel of the Pacific!" lol.

A great place to eat in the adorable town of Cambria.

My salmon sandwich! I took a bite before I remembered to take a picture. So Good!

I love watching the shorebirds poking their beaks in for food. We even saw some red headed and faced vultures scavenging on the shore as well.

     As you can see in the picture above, on our 3rd day, the fog came in and the waves started getting higher, too. I found quite a few shells that were in perfect condition and this funny little picture in the sand, naturally formed by seaweed. 

     My sisters and I had a great time staying up late laughing, crying and talking.  It was a wonderful trip and I highly recommend to everyone that you take some time to spend with your sisters, or daughters or close friends.  It was a great way to relax, recharge and reconnect.  I can hardly wait to do it again! 

     Speaking of sisters, last year my sister gave us each this necklace to celebrate our sisterhood!  You can order similar ones at this website. 

     To read more about gifts that give twice, go to this post.