Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Woke up to rain.... Apparently hurricane Linda had some rain left over and LA had the most rain overnight for months. Mind you it was warm rain. The TV was full of warnings about rush hour traffic and accidents due to slippery roads. We decided to breakfast and travel later. Found a place two blocks away called ????? Where I had a very healthy granola, fruit and yogurt breakfast and martin had ????.
Both were delicious followed by coffees. When we left the pavements were already drying. Martin wanted to see the LA library. They opened at 10am. Queuing up were all the homeless. Wanting to dry off maybe. They let the homeless in. The library is huge. Went to see an exhibition of social art which explored LA through menus. I thought the menus looked very similar to what we were eating to day. Very Mexican based. We had a chance to fill in our favourite menus in LA and post it for prosperity. Walked around the Paul Getty room but found it old fashioned and stuffy. I thought Exeter library was more vibrant and modern than this.
Returning to the hotel we packed and said farewell to LA. Got the car out of the parking garage having saved loads by parking opposite. $16 a day compared to the hotels $45. Left about 11am. The trip is approx 90 miles and should take a couple of hours. Made way back on the Santa Monica freeway. Thankfully less busy than before. At Santa Monica the freeway turns into the Pacific Highway 1. We headed north towards Malibu. Found Malibu not as high class and varying style of houses lined the roadway and hung over the sea. There seemed to be no centre to Malibu. We drove inland for a bit due to a US missile base that was located on the coast. We stopped on the Pacific highway at point Dume state beach. . This is a promontory on the coast of Malibu. Parking at the far end we saw someone people filming a bridal dress with the girl holding onto a horse. We stopped on the beach and walked up a small Rialto a viewing platform which gave spectacular views all under a clear blue sky. Temperatures were getting hot again. Saw some seals and got back to the car very happy.
We continued driving until Santa Barbara arriving at around 3pm. Santa Barbara has often been referred to as the American Riviera. It has Mediterranean architecture and laid back feel. Santa Barbara has often been referred to as the American RivieraThe houses have ridged red tiles. Found the holiday inn express very quickly and parked up. The hotel room was good. The receptionist told us a farmers market was on from 4 to 7 and Martin also noticed a brewing inn opposite with a micro brewery. We changed and set foot outside and walked about five minutes and located the farmers market setting up. Lovely shops were on both sides. Found a bead shop next to a record shop. Our idea of heaven. The shops were upmarket but not so posh we could not afford anything. Having missed lunch we had an ice cream sundae at a place called Mc Connells. Like sea salt cream and cookies. Chocolate ganache, peanut brittle, marshmallow cream, milk chocolate, cookie pieces and sweet cream ice cream etc etc heaven..all for only $7 dollars each. Very full we walked around the shops and the farmers market. Very like home just more exotic fruits like figs and dates then back to the hotel to rest and recover. Martin popped across the road to get a beer in while I rested. Later on we started to feel Hungary and Martin found a restaurant called paradise cafe on anacapa street. This was a short walk away from the hotel. Had a lovely meal.
- comments