Surf Fishing in California Eases Winter Blues

We got out of Santa Fe soon after the snow began to fly and just as a bitter cold front blew in.

We were headed for southern California where t-shirts, shorts and sandles could still be worn.

We stayed with friends just outside of Los Angeles and then took a mid-week cruise up the coast to spend a couple of nights in the tiny, hamlet of San Simeon.

It was a trip made all that much better since we bought our tickets during one of Southwest Airlines' sales and then got a very, reasonable rate on a mid-sized, rental car, from Enterprise.

And then along the way we got in a little surf fishing on a classic, warm, sunny, southern California day.

Rolling California style.This American made Dodge Charger sure blew away a lot of Beemers and Benz's on the freeway.

A young Leopard Shark caught on squid bait and then released at Cabrillo Beach.

A rock fish caught and released at Cabrillo Beach.

Scenic Refugio Beach just north of Santa Barbara features grass and palm trees and a great place to stop while cruising the coast.

A Snowy Egret fishes in the tidal pools at Refugio Beach.

A surfer at Refugio Beach on the tail end of a long run.

Most beaches are staffed by lifeguards who put their lives on the line to save others.

A valet on the pier at Santa Barbara prepares to park a classic Cadillac.

Cool cars abound in California.

Heaving a shrimp baited line into the surf on the incoming tide is a good fishing tactic.

An ocean perch, just one of many caught to be eaten by this Los Angeles angler who fishes the coast  a couple times a month while camping out of his van.

Elephant seals come ashore near San Simeon to form huge colonies along the coast where they give birth, breed and rest during the winter months. Here two young bulls play at being bad.

A mother and her pup.

A sleepy bull with a bored member of his harem.

Just a couple of happy tourists who don't want to go home.

Dude, where's the keys?