Another Californian Odyssey (June/July 2014)
Jul 22nd, 2014, 08:45 AM
#22
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Am really enjoying your trip! I live in San Francisco and I elected to watch the fireworks this year on TV too - cold, foggy fireworks just aren't right. BTW, when I was in Australia many years ago, I sometimes had to ask people to spell what they were saying - I just could not understand the way some words were pronounced, but if they spelled them I finally got it. I felt like an idiot.
Jul 22nd, 2014, 09:07 AM
#23
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Peter-Jayne, Really enjoying your report! We're Midwesterners who are sort of Californians at heart. We usually visit some part of this state each year, having just returned from a week at Lake Tahoe. Last year we were on the coast, loving Big Sur and the stretch to San Francisco, one of our many visits to these areas. Unfortunately, we often do not routinely post TRs after our US trips, but we're following all of your travels with interest. We'll stay tuned for more.
Jul 27th, 2014, 12:52 AM
#24
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Saturday July 5 - San Francisco / Santa Cruz
We are leaving San Francisco today and deliberately having a more relaxed cruise down the coast to LA. This morning we had a leisurely breakfast at a local cafe, packed up and collected our van from its storage. We decided to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito which was a very enjoyable drive despite the traffic. Sausalito seems such a beautiful relaxed place and I don't know if it was just today but the fog seemed to magically lift as we crossed the bridge.
After a coffee and the obligatory bridge photos we hit the road and travelled down Highway 1 to Santa Cruz. It is a beautiful stretch of coastline and despite the intermittent fog was a great drive. It was a little slow with lots of traffic and some road work so ended up being about 4 hours drive to Santa Cruz.
We had a fantastic home in Santa Cruz we got through Airbnb - a couple of blocks back from the beach (the south end of Santa Cruz). Allyson was a really friendly landlord and has a beautiful and comfortable home. When we arrived we hit the beach which was beautiful and a few degrees warmer the SF although still quite cool in the water. We managed to see a few dolphins and seals cavorting in the bay.
Back in the house we picked up some supplies and had a BBQ dinner. It was really nice to have a home cooked meal after so much eating out.
The only slight mishap was that Jayne realised she had left her purse in SF! We rand the Hilton and the purse had been found. Although we could have it sent to us I was a bit worried it wouldn't catch us given we're on the move. So Caitlin and I took a drive back to SF - on the highway this time so it wasn't too bad - a couple of hours each way.
We are leaving San Francisco today and deliberately having a more relaxed cruise down the coast to LA. This morning we had a leisurely breakfast at a local cafe, packed up and collected our van from its storage. We decided to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito which was a very enjoyable drive despite the traffic. Sausalito seems such a beautiful relaxed place and I don't know if it was just today but the fog seemed to magically lift as we crossed the bridge.
After a coffee and the obligatory bridge photos we hit the road and travelled down Highway 1 to Santa Cruz. It is a beautiful stretch of coastline and despite the intermittent fog was a great drive. It was a little slow with lots of traffic and some road work so ended up being about 4 hours drive to Santa Cruz.
We had a fantastic home in Santa Cruz we got through Airbnb - a couple of blocks back from the beach (the south end of Santa Cruz). Allyson was a really friendly landlord and has a beautiful and comfortable home. When we arrived we hit the beach which was beautiful and a few degrees warmer the SF although still quite cool in the water. We managed to see a few dolphins and seals cavorting in the bay.
Back in the house we picked up some supplies and had a BBQ dinner. It was really nice to have a home cooked meal after so much eating out.
The only slight mishap was that Jayne realised she had left her purse in SF! We rand the Hilton and the purse had been found. Although we could have it sent to us I was a bit worried it wouldn't catch us given we're on the move. So Caitlin and I took a drive back to SF - on the highway this time so it wasn't too bad - a couple of hours each way.
Jul 27th, 2014, 06:55 PM
#26
PeterJayne: There is a thread going from an Aussie who is very uneasy about driving in CA.
If you have a chance, maybe you could post your perspective about the issue and give some pointers . . .
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...anciscousa.cfm
If you have a chance, maybe you could post your perspective about the issue and give some pointers . . .
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...anciscousa.cfm
Jul 28th, 2014, 09:34 PM
#27
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Sunday July 6 - Santa Cruz
Very relaxing day today. Laid on the beach, read, watched some TV and wandered around Santa Cruz. Lefovers for dinner. I think you need one of these days on a long trip.
Monday July 7 - Santa Cruz / Pismo Beach
I cooked pancakes for breakfast this morning and after straightening up the house we departed for our next stop Pismo beach. We had intended to follow Highway 1 but the fog had closed in and it didn't look like we'd see much so we opted for the faster 101. We had a stop in San Luis Obispo to check out the town in particular the (in)famous Bubblegum Alley which is a small laneway that everyone has taken to sticking their used bubblegum on the walls of. We added our contribution and took some photos of this intriquing but pretty gross attraction.
Before heading to our accommodation we stopped for lunch at In and Out Burgers which was somthing the kids had been wanting to try the whole trip. I thought it was very nice - basic but simple and heathyish. It was refreshing in a country where you are swamped by choices and decisions to go somewhere that had two types of burgers and one type of fries - and that's it (other than the drinks which had a few more choices).
Our accommodation was booked through airbnb but was a standard resort - the Cliffs Resort, Pismo Beach. However we got a great room for a family of siz - one very large room with a Queen bed for Jayne and I, bunk beds with an additional trundle and a sofa bed. So all the kids got there own bed and we were all in one room which I think was a first. These was a nice walk along the cliffs to a couple of pretty beaches north and south of our resort and we took advantage of the pool and gym. That evening we started playing that word game where each of us has to recite all the previous items alphabetically and add our own ("Adam from Argentina has a Aardvark, etc). Halfway through we realised we weren't going to make anywhere for dinner so we ordered in pizza and had a great night together in the room.
Very relaxing day today. Laid on the beach, read, watched some TV and wandered around Santa Cruz. Lefovers for dinner. I think you need one of these days on a long trip.
Monday July 7 - Santa Cruz / Pismo Beach
I cooked pancakes for breakfast this morning and after straightening up the house we departed for our next stop Pismo beach. We had intended to follow Highway 1 but the fog had closed in and it didn't look like we'd see much so we opted for the faster 101. We had a stop in San Luis Obispo to check out the town in particular the (in)famous Bubblegum Alley which is a small laneway that everyone has taken to sticking their used bubblegum on the walls of. We added our contribution and took some photos of this intriquing but pretty gross attraction.
Before heading to our accommodation we stopped for lunch at In and Out Burgers which was somthing the kids had been wanting to try the whole trip. I thought it was very nice - basic but simple and heathyish. It was refreshing in a country where you are swamped by choices and decisions to go somewhere that had two types of burgers and one type of fries - and that's it (other than the drinks which had a few more choices).
Our accommodation was booked through airbnb but was a standard resort - the Cliffs Resort, Pismo Beach. However we got a great room for a family of siz - one very large room with a Queen bed for Jayne and I, bunk beds with an additional trundle and a sofa bed. So all the kids got there own bed and we were all in one room which I think was a first. These was a nice walk along the cliffs to a couple of pretty beaches north and south of our resort and we took advantage of the pool and gym. That evening we started playing that word game where each of us has to recite all the previous items alphabetically and add our own ("Adam from Argentina has a Aardvark, etc). Halfway through we realised we weren't going to make anywhere for dinner so we ordered in pizza and had a great night together in the room.
Aug 1st, 2014, 03:11 AM
#34
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We quite liked Dana. I thought the rooms were a little dated and small but the resort was very nice and the restaurants, etc were good. It was a little isolated so you definitely need a car.
Aug 1st, 2014, 03:42 AM
#35
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Tuesday July 8 Pismo Beach / LA
Today we had a leisurely start (a habit of late). We had a nice breakfast at a hippy cafe in Pismo beach then continued down the coast beach to Santa Barbara. I really like this wtown and we had a nice walk around the town and a much appreciated ice cream. One interesting observation after Santa Barbara was the long line of RVs parked along highway 1. I cant recall exactly where this was but there was a phenomonal number of vehicles parked along one of the many beaches.
We stopped for lunch back in Santa Monica at an Italian restaurant in the Third St Promenade. This is a really nice part of Santa Monica. Afterwards we headed down to our hotel for the night. Given we had early flights we decided to stay at a hotel near the airport (and our rental car return). After checking in to the Wingate by Wyndham just near the airport we picked up some dinner and I dropped the van back ay Alamo - who generously dropped me back at our hotel (only a couple of km so I was prepared to walk).
We have really enjoyed our time in the US. I'll try to post a report on Mexico and Cuba when I get some time. Oh and those licence plates - we missed out on 7 (Rhode Is, Hawaii, Kansas, Vermont, Iowa, Arkansas and Alabama) although we did pick up 3 Canadian provinces and 2 Mexican states. aybe we'll get the other next time.
Wednesday July 9 - LA / New Horizons
Early start and off to the airport in our hotel shuttle at 6am. Jayne, Bailey, Caitlin and Niamh off to Hawaii with American Airlines. Liam an I off to Mexico (a little later) with Delta. Liam and I had the advantage of flying business class (albeit on frequent flyer points - the only flights we could get) but at least we got to enjoy some breakfast and wifi in the Delta lounge. Thanks to everyone at Fodors who followed our trip and hopefully we can make another one soon.
Today we had a leisurely start (a habit of late). We had a nice breakfast at a hippy cafe in Pismo beach then continued down the coast beach to Santa Barbara. I really like this wtown and we had a nice walk around the town and a much appreciated ice cream. One interesting observation after Santa Barbara was the long line of RVs parked along highway 1. I cant recall exactly where this was but there was a phenomonal number of vehicles parked along one of the many beaches.
We stopped for lunch back in Santa Monica at an Italian restaurant in the Third St Promenade. This is a really nice part of Santa Monica. Afterwards we headed down to our hotel for the night. Given we had early flights we decided to stay at a hotel near the airport (and our rental car return). After checking in to the Wingate by Wyndham just near the airport we picked up some dinner and I dropped the van back ay Alamo - who generously dropped me back at our hotel (only a couple of km so I was prepared to walk).
We have really enjoyed our time in the US. I'll try to post a report on Mexico and Cuba when I get some time. Oh and those licence plates - we missed out on 7 (Rhode Is, Hawaii, Kansas, Vermont, Iowa, Arkansas and Alabama) although we did pick up 3 Canadian provinces and 2 Mexican states. aybe we'll get the other next time.
Wednesday July 9 - LA / New Horizons
Early start and off to the airport in our hotel shuttle at 6am. Jayne, Bailey, Caitlin and Niamh off to Hawaii with American Airlines. Liam an I off to Mexico (a little later) with Delta. Liam and I had the advantage of flying business class (albeit on frequent flyer points - the only flights we could get) but at least we got to enjoy some breakfast and wifi in the Delta lounge. Thanks to everyone at Fodors who followed our trip and hopefully we can make another one soon.
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