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Published: September 13th 2007
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My long awaited Around The World journey began with a destination quite close to home. Simon flew in from Sydney and met me in LA to embark on a 10-day road trip up Highway 1. I have to admit that having lived in both Northern and Southern California for a combined total of 15 years I was unterly unprepared to be so impressed by the unbelievable landscape and breathtaking vistas one encounters while traveling along Highway 1. I had done bits and pieces throughout my childhood but never the whole stretch and all I can say is that if you actually have the extra hours to spare do not miss this trip!
Our trip began in San Diego where we were able to meet up with numerous friends from different periods in our lives. We spent three days there and although I could walk everyone through our itinerary I think it can really be summed up in three little words - Margaritas, Goldschlager (ouch!) & Beer. You fill in the blanks. God knows none of us can!
Next Stop - Santa Barbara. We made the obligatory stop in Santa Monica for lunch before driving through Malibu. Now, here is
where I will suggest you look at a map a little more closely than we did when doing this drive. I stupudly assumed that Highway 1 actually runs the length of the California coast as it is advertized to do. This however we discovered is not quite accurate. There are difinitive points throughout the trip when you are diverted onto other roads or highways. Please do yourself a favor and actually READ A MAP before you suddenly find yourself on an unmarked country road in the middle of cow manure-filled roads with nothing more than instinct and if you're lucky, a couple farmers to get you back to the coast where the highway magically just reappears. 10 days of doing this still did not get us any closer to understanding the rhyme and reason for these gaps in the highway.
Santa Barbara was short and sweet with a 1-night stop there. It's a fantastic little seaside town with beautiful rolling hills that provide a picturesque backdrop to the deep blue ocean and a nice alternative the memories I have of SB from college which were basically limited to the image of the bottom of a liquor bottle. I will
take pause to suggest our B&B if you are considering a trip there in the near future. We stayed at the Orchid Inn www.orchidinnatsb.com. It's absolutely adorable. Don't miss the wine and cheese in the evenings and delish brekkie each morning.
Next up was Carmel. The road between Santa Barbara and Carmel was breath taking. If you don't have time to drive Highway 1 the whole way, at least do this stretch. Ahhh, Carmel! If you haven't been, go. It is quite literally the most perfect town I have ever been to. We sadly only had one night but it was enough to know that there will be numerous future vacations there. And of course when you tire of strolling the picture perfect village streets or white sand beaches you can head up the road to Pebble Beach for a world class round of golf. I genuinely feared Simon was going to wet his pants from the excitement of the pro shop alone. I have yet to really understand this sentiment for a golf course, but I suppose ladies it would be on par to sitting front row at the Christian Dior show in Paris...next to Posh and Katie
Holmes...with preshow backstage passes...on second thought, i still don't think we could achieve the level of awe a golfer can at PB.
Moving right along. The following night we stayed at a place called Costanoa, www.costanoa.com. Situated on the hillside to the east of Highway 1, the simple, yet comfortable accommodations come complete with ocean views and beautiful hiking trails leading to even more breathtaking vistas. It's about 22 miles north of Santa Cruz and 24 miles sounth of Half Moon Bay. We did not cross paths with a single other person on the trails which gives you an idea of how secluded it is. Thanks for the recommendation, Weez!
The following afternoon we said goodbye to our blessed Highway 1 and headed inland toward Napa. I don't need to tell anyone what to do in Napa. You go there to eat good food and drink even better wine. We did plenty of both and both agreed that the one MUST is a dinner at Auberge du Soleil. Make a reservation for the terrace and be sure to get there in time for the sunset. And once again, be sure to CONSULT A MAP before heading there. We
Carmel Beach
Carmel was hazy with fog which made for an eerie morning on the beach. stupidly got our directions at the last of 4 wineries on our wine tour and clearly it affected our ability to find our destination as we weaved in and out of hills, watching the sun disappear on the other side, unable to figure out where we had made the wrong turn. Even minus the sunset we both agreed it was one of the best culinary experiences of our life. If you can't stomach the cost at least go for a drink and take in the unreal view.
Last stop was San Fran - aka, home. Although utterly exhausted from our whirlwind tour, we managed to tootle around the city and take in some of the more famous sights and sounds of the foggy city. After submitting him to a BBQ with 25 of my family members I regretibly put Si on a plane back to Oz and prepared for my next stop - HAWAII.
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Elizabeth
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HAPPY TRAILS
Hi T- So happy to hear all about the journey. Sounds fantastic in every way. I am thrilled to be able to see you here in Maui. Lucky me!! So happy you have the days/months/years to go and explore the world. The world is waiting to greet your lovely smile and happy spirit. All good things for you on your happy trails... Much ALOHA, Elizabeth