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Published: March 1st 2011
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Before I begin on the trips that we have already been on whilst being in California, I thought I would start with the one we have just been on, bit backwards I know, but when did I ever do things the right way round! 😊 (Sorry it's another long one and the photos are a bit out of sync with the text, but I can't change their position, sorry)
Monday 21st Feb was Presidents Day, a bank holiday, so as we had a long weekend we decided to make the most of it and go on a little road trip. We started on Friday evening after Martin finished work I picked him up and we headed off. The weather was awful, it had been raining heavy all week. We arrived in Carmel in good time though. The hotel was nice and just what we needed for our stop over, it was out of town but there was a great little shopping area at the back of the hotel with a a lovely Italian restaurant, so we were happy.
Next morning after a hearty breakfast we packed the car up and headed off for our 1st long drive, about 200
Post Ranch Inn Restaurant
Great views and service, I bet the views are 100 times better when the sun is out :-) miles. (we had already been to Carmel in June, so we literally used it as a stop off for the night) The weather was still miserable the rain came and went throughout the day, but we weren't going to let that spoil our fun, so we headed on to Route 1.
Route 1 has to have some of the most beautiful landscape I have ever seen, the weather didn't do it justice, but every corner you turn there's another stunning view.
When the rain occasionally stopped we would jump out a take a pic or two! otherwise Martin drove onwards round the winding road. We had been recommended a few places to stop on the route down, unfortunately we didn't get a chance to do them all, but one we did managed to stop at was the Post Ranch Inn, we drove up the long drive past deer grazing, to the top, where you then walk up some steps to reach the restaurant that has uninterrupted view of the coast. There is also accommodation there which can cost as much as £1300.00 a night! They are pretty special though. So we stopped here and had a light bite
Elephant Seals
There were 100s of them all along the beach and enjoyed what we could see of the view! Website if you're interested in having a peak.
As we headed further down Route one I noticed a few seals on the beach, so we decide to pull over the next chance we can to see if there are anymore and what a surprise we get, where we pull up is a special area designated for Elephant seals and as this is the time of year were they come on shore, there were hundreds of them all down the beach and what a noise they make! Was amazing to see them all there.
Next stop on the trip was to see Hearst Castle at San Simeon, what a strange but fascinating place, it's situated miles up on the Enchanted hill overlooking the coast. We did an experience tour to get an overview of the castle and it's grounds, there are 5 different types of tours to choose from! This place was once used as a holiday hotspot for celebrities and famous guests specifically invited by Mr Hearst! Website if you are interested knowing more
After getting a little lost (we were trying to stay on Route Hearst Castle
The main building 1, but afterwards realised you can't you have to go on Route 101 for a short while!) we eventually ended up in Buellton at the Pea Soup Andersen's Inn, which was lovely and right next door to the 'Famous' Pea Soup Andersen's Restaurant, so of course we had to have dinner there and yes Martin did have the Pea Soup (I even tried some!!) If you want to know more about Pea Soup Andersen this is the website
The next morning we headed into Solvang to have a look round. Solvang is a Danish village in Santa Barbara County, very picturesque, quite strange to see Danish windmills in the US though!
From here we drove on down to towards Santa Barbara, we drove past some amazing inland views, of large lakes and snow capped mountains. We even saw a Turkey Vulture (though didn't realise it at the time!) huge bird and quite ugly!
Once we got to Santa Barbara we stopped at the Marina to have a look and have some lunch. We couldn't believe the change in the weather, it was now beautiful clear blue sky, so we sat outside ate our lunch and watched Solvang
Danish town in California! the world go by.
After being fed and watered we continued on the last part of our journey for that day, destination LA! After having said 'There's no way i'm driving into LA, I'll drive most the way and you can take over' what happens, there I am pulling off the freeway into LA! Ahhhhhh! Was the most traffic we had seen on the whole road trip! Actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and I parked us up safe and sound on Rodeo drive. Money is the only way to describe that place, whilst we were there we saw a Ferrari parked up, a Lamborghini and Aston Martin pull up together at some traffic lights! Very nice! As well as lots of Beverly Hills wannabes! OMG! After having a walk round we drove to our hotel (Martin driving this time! 😊 )
Our Hotel was at Marina Del Rey, near Venice Beach. That evening we went for a nice meal at a Restaurant called the Warehouse, was a very unusual place, actually looks like a warehouse from the outside, the inside is made up of old barrels, crates, lumber etc. Another 'Famous' restaurant that
had photos on the wall of all the famous visitors.
The next day, our final day of the road trip, we went down to Venice beach, had breakfast (umm pancakes! 😊) then walked down the beach to Santa Monica pier, past Muscle beach, no serious posing going on that day though! Walked to the end of Santa Monica Pier ( or should it be boardwalk!) I'd never realised that Santa Monica Pier is the end or start of Route 66, you learn something everyday. We then walked up to 3rd Street Promenade, a recommendation from Tonia and David (Thanks) Apparently this is the new place to be seen in LA, though we didn't see anyone famous 😞 It has got some really cool topiary dinosaur fountains on it though, (that pic are for you T&D)
We then headed back to the car and drove up to Hollywood boulevard, had to have a look whilst we were there! It was packed, unfortunately they were starting to set up for the Oscars, so there was scaffolding and seating going up everywhere. We still got to walk around see some stars ( the ones in the pavement only though!) Saw Johnny
Deeps 😱 and the recent Oscar winner Colin Firths (outside an English Pub, where else!) We also got to see the hand and foot prints outside the Chinese Theatre, including the Star Wars cHaracters! and of course we saw the Hollywood sign!
By this point we decided we really need to make a move as we had the 5 - 6 hour drive ahead of us, we decided to take it in turns, Martin doing the first half. It was busy getting out of LA, but once out it was a really easy drive home, think Martin got the best part, he had the fun of driving over the mountain range and back down into the Central valley, think we got to nearly 4 thousand feet up, it was pretty high as there was snow on the side of the hills we were driving past! Then as you head over and back down, you see the central valley and the road stretching out straight in front of you for miles, that's the bit I got to do! We stopped about half way to get some food, petrol and swap over. It was a tiring drive home, back we made
Rodeo Drive
Had to be a Ferrari in the picture! it back late evening.
It was a very busy few days but it was definitely worth while. Another great trip.
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