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Polaroid of the Week: Huntington Beach, California's Coastal Gem

Polaroid of the Week: Huntington Beach, California s Coastal GemI often forget just how much I love California. My last visit to Santa Monica last spring was recent, yet I'd already overlooked why every trip here leaves me thrilled.

While I avoid driving in L.A.'s chaotic highways and traffic, cruising the coast is pure joy. The highlight of my current stay: a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) into Orange County. I once drove the full PCH from San Francisco to San Diego in 2010—one of my all-time favorite U.S. road trips—and reliving a stretch last week was exhilarating.

Back then, newly blogging, I lacked the 'blogger mindset': no hunting scenic stops for photos, charming shops, or cafes to recommend, nor snapping endless shots (you never know when 50 seagull photos might come in handy).

Worst of all, I pocketed my full SD card without backing up—then lost it, erasing hundreds of L.A. and PCH photos. That's why our Top Five Stops Along the Pacific Coast Highway from L.A. to Laguna Beach article lacks images, save a subpar iPhone snap of Venice Beach.

This trip, I recaptured those lost shots with a far superior camera (check our PCH drive photos—you'll see why the old ones make me cringe). Now, I can finally update that guide with fresh pics and add hidden gems like Huntington Beach, a standout stop last week. How we overlooked it initially baffles me.

Towns along the route have evolved—new coffee shops, breweries, restaurants—but Southern California's breathtaking natural beauty endures. The Pacific drive reaffirmed my affection for this coast.

Have you visited California? What's your favorite spot?


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