Point Dume, Malibu, California

My childhood home and the Pacific ocean were separated only by a scenic drive through the Santa Monica Mountains. Growing up, we always went to the same beach, and frankly, I have to admit that I never really liked the beach. As a little girl, I hated the feeling of the sand stuck to my wet feet and the idea that mysterious creatures were swimming around with me in the sea. The sand was too hot, the water was too cold- I obviously didn't realize what I had right at my finger tips.

I felt that way for a long time, but marrying an "outsider" has been eye opening. With Matt, I've started to view my home state more like a tourist or a visitor. Every time we go home, we try to find some place new that neither of us have experienced before. This time around, we set our sights back on the beach.

My older brother knows the coast well and recommended we check out Point Dume in Malibu, California. This beautiful spot is only a few miles from the beach I grew up going to, and I never knew it existed! We weren't going to sun bathe or wade in the water- We went to enjoy the scenery and the views. This was much more my interpretation of the beach!

Because of all of the rain California has been getting, there were flowers in bloom everywhere and the hills were greener than they have been in years. The weather was perfect, and we even caught a glimpse of a whale and a dozing seal!

By the time the sun set, my dad and older brother had joined us on Point Dume and we all enjoyed the evening together- Mom, Dad, my brother and his family, my baby brother, and the two of us. What a memory. I wish we'd had time to do more of this on this trip, but I'm so glad that there's always next time!