San Francisco to San Diego
Hello!
Sorry for the lack of updates, we havent been having much luck with net access lately. Even when we have stayed somewhere that's had it it's been sporadic. I dunno if it's my computer, the technology in general or what. But anyway.
So, where was I up to. Last time I posted we were just leaving for our road trip. Well! what a trip it was. I've done more driving in the last few days than I ever care to again. The first part out of San Francisco was fine, it was once we hit LA etc. it started getting a bit stressful.
We started out from San Francisco headed for Monterey. This took us through Palo Alto (the most expensive real estate on earth) and silicon valley. When we arrived in Monterey we had a bit of a look around Fisherman's Wharf (there seems to be a Fisherman's Wharf in every coastal californian town), had some lunch, and decided we had better organise somewhere to stay that night. We had originally planned to just kind of drive off into the sunset, see where we end up and just stay there. As it turns out, it's lucky we didnt do that. There really isnt much between Monterey and Pismo beach, about 100 odd miles to the south. The one place there is to stop is Big Sur, which is a bit of a forresty type affair. The only accomodation there is of the expensive resort variety. So, out of desperation, that's what we decided on. So that afternoon we set off from Monterey to Big Sur. The drive was amazing, the scenery was so beautiful. You might notice in the photos a vague haze. This seems to be everyhere in coastal California. It looks like pollution, but it's actually a sea mist or anything, and is responsible for the famous San Francisco fog. I guess people around here get used to it after a while.
Anyway, so we stayed in this resort in Big Sur, which was very nice, but expensive. The next morning we took a bit of a hike to a waterfall. We noted the sign that warned about the danger of mountain lions that, and I quote, "seem to be particularly drawn" to young children.
We set off the next morning for Santa Barbara. The drive was, once again, spectacular. We stopped a couple of times along the way to see some sea otters, and most of the world's population of seals which all seem to live on one beach. Tt was breeding season, which meant that there were a few fisty cuffs. Well, actually they didnt use their fists because they don't really have any. Instead they did this sort of combined headbutt / bite. All of the male seals were covered in wounds and scars, it was ridiculous. One of the seals reminded me of the character 'Begby' from the movie Trainspotting, because he was just punching on with anyone who looked at him.
We also stopped at a place called Hearst Castle, which is quite literally a castle. Actually, it's more like a palace. We didnt actually get to see the castle up close because you can't drive your car up there. There are guided tours, but we were on a tight schedule. Anyway, this place was just some rich guys house, but it's in the hands of the State Parks now, and is open to visitors.
our next stop was Santa Barbara which was a beautiful little town with lots of rich people and thus lots of nice shops and restaurants. The hostel we stayed in doesnt seem to have benefited from the money in the area though, as it was slightly shabby.
'
The next morning we took a quick look around Santa Barbara, which has a nice beach and a pier (which all Californian towns seem to have as well) then set off for LA. The scenery got a bit less picturesque, but no less beachey. Southern California is all beaches. We cruised through Ventura (working class, for you OC fans out there, think 'Chino'), Malibu, Santa Monica, and Pacific Palisades before stopping in Venice Beach(home of Baywatch) for a bit of a look around. It was a little bit freaky to be honest. A whole bunch of weird people. We decided to leave before the sun set and it got even freakier.
At this point a mild panic set in as the road that we were on was bumper to bumper and we had to get to the other side of LA where we were staying. So we decided to skip the other beaches (like Huntington etc.) and get on a freeway. This turned out to be a good plan, and we discovered the 'car pool lane' which was a sweetest thing ever. As far as we could tell, so long as you have 2 or more people in the car anyone can use it. So, whilst the rest of the traffic was still crawling, we were cruising along at 65mph. In 20 minutes we were on the other side of LA in Newport Beach where we spent the night.
Now, those of you who watch the OC will know that this is where the show is set. Some of the external shots are filmed here too, although a lot of it is filmed at Rodondo beach which is a bit to the north. We shopped at Fashion Island (favoured by Marissa and Summer), we brooded on Marissa's lifeguard tower, we took some pictures of the ferris wheel where Marissa and Ryan shared their first kiss, and we took a drive up to where the Cohen's house is. Unfortunately the house is in a gated community so we couldnt get up close. The local visitors center has cashed in on the show a bit and offers 'OC' tour maps, and also has hand prints of some of the stars and producers of the show.
Newport is actually quite a nice town. I still think Aussie beaches beat Californian ones though.
After Newport we headed for San Diego. Turns out San Diego is quite a large city. So that was last night. Today we went to the zoo, which was pretty sweet, cos we both love a zoo, and tomorrow we set off for Vegas. We are staying at the Stratosphere Hotel, so named for it's giant centre point-esque tower. The tower has a roller coaster at the top apparently. To be honest, we're both looking forward to just chilling out in the hotel a bit in Vegas. We need a holiday from our holiday. All the getting up early, driving, and staying in a different place each night has taken it's toll.
Anyway, that's it for now. Our net connection here is sporadic, so I don't know if I'll be able to upload many / any photos, so you might have to wait until vegas. I also need to spend some quality time labeling them.
Anyway, I hope you're all doing well and missing us terribly. Your lives should be empty without us.
Sorry for the lack of updates, we havent been having much luck with net access lately. Even when we have stayed somewhere that's had it it's been sporadic. I dunno if it's my computer, the technology in general or what. But anyway.
So, where was I up to. Last time I posted we were just leaving for our road trip. Well! what a trip it was. I've done more driving in the last few days than I ever care to again. The first part out of San Francisco was fine, it was once we hit LA etc. it started getting a bit stressful.
We started out from San Francisco headed for Monterey. This took us through Palo Alto (the most expensive real estate on earth) and silicon valley. When we arrived in Monterey we had a bit of a look around Fisherman's Wharf (there seems to be a Fisherman's Wharf in every coastal californian town), had some lunch, and decided we had better organise somewhere to stay that night. We had originally planned to just kind of drive off into the sunset, see where we end up and just stay there. As it turns out, it's lucky we didnt do that. There really isnt much between Monterey and Pismo beach, about 100 odd miles to the south. The one place there is to stop is Big Sur, which is a bit of a forresty type affair. The only accomodation there is of the expensive resort variety. So, out of desperation, that's what we decided on. So that afternoon we set off from Monterey to Big Sur. The drive was amazing, the scenery was so beautiful. You might notice in the photos a vague haze. This seems to be everyhere in coastal California. It looks like pollution, but it's actually a sea mist or anything, and is responsible for the famous San Francisco fog. I guess people around here get used to it after a while.
Anyway, so we stayed in this resort in Big Sur, which was very nice, but expensive. The next morning we took a bit of a hike to a waterfall. We noted the sign that warned about the danger of mountain lions that, and I quote, "seem to be particularly drawn" to young children.
We set off the next morning for Santa Barbara. The drive was, once again, spectacular. We stopped a couple of times along the way to see some sea otters, and most of the world's population of seals which all seem to live on one beach. Tt was breeding season, which meant that there were a few fisty cuffs. Well, actually they didnt use their fists because they don't really have any. Instead they did this sort of combined headbutt / bite. All of the male seals were covered in wounds and scars, it was ridiculous. One of the seals reminded me of the character 'Begby' from the movie Trainspotting, because he was just punching on with anyone who looked at him.
We also stopped at a place called Hearst Castle, which is quite literally a castle. Actually, it's more like a palace. We didnt actually get to see the castle up close because you can't drive your car up there. There are guided tours, but we were on a tight schedule. Anyway, this place was just some rich guys house, but it's in the hands of the State Parks now, and is open to visitors.
our next stop was Santa Barbara which was a beautiful little town with lots of rich people and thus lots of nice shops and restaurants. The hostel we stayed in doesnt seem to have benefited from the money in the area though, as it was slightly shabby.
'
The next morning we took a quick look around Santa Barbara, which has a nice beach and a pier (which all Californian towns seem to have as well) then set off for LA. The scenery got a bit less picturesque, but no less beachey. Southern California is all beaches. We cruised through Ventura (working class, for you OC fans out there, think 'Chino'), Malibu, Santa Monica, and Pacific Palisades before stopping in Venice Beach(home of Baywatch) for a bit of a look around. It was a little bit freaky to be honest. A whole bunch of weird people. We decided to leave before the sun set and it got even freakier.
At this point a mild panic set in as the road that we were on was bumper to bumper and we had to get to the other side of LA where we were staying. So we decided to skip the other beaches (like Huntington etc.) and get on a freeway. This turned out to be a good plan, and we discovered the 'car pool lane' which was a sweetest thing ever. As far as we could tell, so long as you have 2 or more people in the car anyone can use it. So, whilst the rest of the traffic was still crawling, we were cruising along at 65mph. In 20 minutes we were on the other side of LA in Newport Beach where we spent the night.
Now, those of you who watch the OC will know that this is where the show is set. Some of the external shots are filmed here too, although a lot of it is filmed at Rodondo beach which is a bit to the north. We shopped at Fashion Island (favoured by Marissa and Summer), we brooded on Marissa's lifeguard tower, we took some pictures of the ferris wheel where Marissa and Ryan shared their first kiss, and we took a drive up to where the Cohen's house is. Unfortunately the house is in a gated community so we couldnt get up close. The local visitors center has cashed in on the show a bit and offers 'OC' tour maps, and also has hand prints of some of the stars and producers of the show.
Newport is actually quite a nice town. I still think Aussie beaches beat Californian ones though.
After Newport we headed for San Diego. Turns out San Diego is quite a large city. So that was last night. Today we went to the zoo, which was pretty sweet, cos we both love a zoo, and tomorrow we set off for Vegas. We are staying at the Stratosphere Hotel, so named for it's giant centre point-esque tower. The tower has a roller coaster at the top apparently. To be honest, we're both looking forward to just chilling out in the hotel a bit in Vegas. We need a holiday from our holiday. All the getting up early, driving, and staying in a different place each night has taken it's toll.
Anyway, that's it for now. Our net connection here is sporadic, so I don't know if I'll be able to upload many / any photos, so you might have to wait until vegas. I also need to spend some quality time labeling them.
Anyway, I hope you're all doing well and missing us terribly. Your lives should be empty without us.