trinidad | HELLO CALIFORNIA (part 3)

my favorite stop on our California trip was a little tourist town on the coast- Trinidad. the little white lighthouse stood on top of the cliff at the edge of town overlooking the bay where dozens of fishing boats lay. and the distant sound of the waves collided with the cries of the gulls.

we stopped for breakfast at a little restaurant on the pier. while we were waiting on our food, the little restaurant was constantly filled with people going in and out. everybody seemed to know each other... the lady who worked at the little fishing hut came in and ordered the "regular". people dropped into chat with the waitress and talk about "Megan who just got engaged". An older couple sat in the back booth talking quietly while the man drank his black coffee and the lady sipped her strawberry malt with "extra whipped cream, please".

the main street cut along the little beach cottages with their faces pointed towards the sea. each one representing the ocean vibe by the array of hanging mobiles with starfish and seashells in the window, a metal anchor nailed above the garage door, and the nautical striped blue curtains that hung in the window, and the surfboard shaped sign that read "welcome" swaying on the porch.

along the tourist part of town, there were a handful of little shops- each declaring that it had the world's best ice cream or burger. three shops especially caught my eye because of the puns in the names. Windan Sea, Sea Around Us, and the third shop was the Trinidad Trading Company. Each shop was filled to the brim (not joking there, they were stuffed) with various trinkets. Windan Sea was completely beach themed, loads of seashells, mini pirate ships, paintings of the ocean, hanging mobiles, and other souvenirs. The Trinidad Trading Company was filled with darling scarves, books, adorable mugs, and mini figurines. Bunting hung across the entry way, and the entire shop smelled of candles.

it seemed like one those towns, that the kids always dream of getting out of; but when they do leave they come back and realize how important it was.

   trinidad, you were quite lovely.

   xx. marcia