USA Road Trip - Santa Barbara to Las Vegas

Day 11 - Flying down to Vegas

Heading to LAX again, this time to catch a plane to the desert City of Las Vegas. As expected, it was a busy road towards the Airport but we made time for a drive through Hollywood and Beverley Hills en route. We did not plan it at all and just put Sunset Boulevard in the Sat Nav. Some of the side streets were nice and TW jumped out at Hollywood Boulevard and looked at the Walk of Fame symbols built into the pavements. Lots of iconic street names flashed by. We tried to follow a Tour Bus for a while and then headed for the Alamo depot to give back our Malibu. Pretty slick operation, we did not have a chance to say goodbye before it was whisked away.

Crossing the Desert

One transfer bus later we were in the AA Terminal. Flying First Class this time as, with bags in the hold, it was cheaper than Economy. Security was tight and slow again, no not even tissues in your pocket! The Check-In staff said we could go into the Business Lounge but the grump on Lounge Reception said we were not flying far enough. Ugh! Back down to ground. Oh well, at least we had nice comfy seats at the front of the plane with the Chinese high-rollers and, of course, free drinks - hic!
TW took the window seat as we headed across the desert and probably took a few Gb. of pics of sand and desolation.

Las Vegas landing

It was clear skies for the evening landing into Vegas. It has become a big old place.

Our room in NY NY on the 12th Floor

Out on the Town

First stop was Alamo again. We tried for another Malibu (not the drink) but the one the rep gave us had no licence plates and when we said were off to Utah and Arizona she had to give us another? This one was a Silver Hyundai Sonata and TW took the wheel for the short hop to New York - New York, our hotel for the night. Getting in the correct lane for self parking was a bit dicey and the sat nav uttered the F-word or maybe it was TW? To be fair, driving on the Strip is not easy at all. A one night stay in Las Vegas is a bit unusual and, as the Hotel is massive, we had quite a tortuous journey from the car to the room and back again. Must not grumble though. The room was nice and we were soon out on the Town. Bit of a shock though with all the flashing lights and slot machines. We have no idea how to use the machines.  We can only just cope with the Petrol Pumps over here. They are enough of a gamble as you have to pay before you pump.

Our Hotel -New York New York

NY-NY had a load of different Restaurants. We opted for a fairly basic one and had salmon burger and chips with a salad. Our waitress was an Aussie from Queensland who has swapped the Gold Coast for the Desert. Must miss the sea?
Our after Dinner stroll was taken along the Strip, in and out of the Casinos and people watching before heading back to the 12th floor of our comfy New York Skyscraper.

Where we stayed - https://www.newyorknewyork.com/en/hotel.html  Las Vegas

USA Road Trip - Santa Barbara - Tandem Touring

Day 10 - Beside the Sea

In tandem in Santa Barbara

Our Motel was actually quite a distance from the Ocean but there was a bus into the City which was quite entertaining. We did not want to drive anywhere, anymore. Seemed a lot busier than on my last visit nearly 40 years ago. Still lots of smart shops and plenty of bars. Renting a tandem and pedalling along the coast was the highlight of the day. TW was the stoker and had no brakes but she had pedals and we did rather well. We lunched very nicely in a popular seaside cafe much like the ones at home but the waitresses probably had better legs. It was even warm enough to sit on the beach!

Santa Barbara

American buses are great places for people watching and the ride home from town was a classic. My favourite person was fairly large young Lady carrying an enormous Pizza. She was incredibly polite and said things like, you are a very nice man, to a disabled chap who moved aside so she could put her pizza down.

TW went missing on the uphill bike path

In scholarly terms she might have special needs but could teach the grumps a thing or two, bit of a female Forrest Gump. Across from her was a highly strung chap with dyed hair who clutched his bag as though it had a Million Dollars in it and avoided eye contact with everyone. A nervous Lady boarded and tried to make herself small. The driver was great too, so patient with a homeless chap who was trying to get on the wrong bus.
Back to Peppertree, too cold for the pool. Dinner was at a bakery across the street. Chucks again would have been an extravagance.  An odd character in the Bakery marched up and down until the Manager banned him. She received abuse for her trouble.

Mystery plant that TW liked

Santa Barbara Beach

Side Street - like the trees in bloom

USA Road Trip - Cambria to Santa Barbara via Hearst Castle

Day 9 - Hearst Castle and Sea Otters

What a View

Bluebird Inn

Cambria proved to be the perfect overnight staging post. The Bluebird Inn was a great Motel and, because it was in town, there were several Restaurants to choose from within walking distance. We chose Robin's and were not disappointed. The bill was a bit heavy but it rounded off a perfect day.

Nitt Witt Ridge

TW decided she wanted to visit Hearst Castle and the Motel Receptionist was really helpful in getting us booked in for a Tour for later in the day. A good Breakfast and were all set to go. First stop was to Nitt Witt Ridge. An eccentric chap who was a bin man built this house out of junk and maybe inspired shabby chic. I thought it might give us some suggestions for our refurbishment but TW was not impressed, she is a bit John Lewis. Not sure the Nitt Witt was a great neighbour.
It was a useful counterweight to our next target, Hearst Castle. Might seem odd going to visit a Castle in the USA when we have so many at home but this one has proper toilets and a couple of tidy swimming pools.

Hearst Castle

Every Castle should have one

The indoor pool

It was built by media mogul William Randolph Hearst who inspired Citizen Kane, bit of a heavy film in Black and White. The Castle itself is in stunning Technicolor on a fantastic location high in the hills overlooking the Ocean. WRH built it to entertain his celebrity guests and ran his Newspaper empire from here, not sure how he managed 'working from home' without the internet? Anyway he made a lot of money and spent it just as quickly. The place is stuffed with antiquities from Europe and has an Italian look to it. The estate is so big that it needs a fleet of buses to go from the Entrance to the Castle. He kept changing his mind and reworking the place and never quite finished it. Our guided tour was a nice way to spend the morning and we both found it interesting. Glad we stayed at the Bluebird Inn though, it's a bit creepy in the Castle.

Otters at play

Getting Otter - next stop was Morro Bay to see the Sea Otters. These very comical creatures were enjoying a swim near the wharf. They are an endangered species but at least they are not hunted for fur anymore. There are problems with toxins in the water and sharks tend to take a bite out of their numbers.

Morro Rock

Back on the road South through San Luis Obispo. We managed to get a bit lost in town but eventually found our way to Pismo Beach for our late Lunch at the Ventana Grill. Nice outlook and good grub.
Traffic now getting heavy as we moved towards Santa Barbara and it was a great relief when we reached the Peppertree Inn, our pleasant accommodation for the next two nights. Our room was bit dark because of a massive tree by the balcony but otherwise perfect.
There was a Chucks Diner next to the Hotel so that was Dinner sorted. Very busy and noisy on a Friday night. Looked to be mainly smart locals enjoying some relaxation after a busy week. We sat, and ate, at the bar and watched the expert barman ply his trade. The background noise was amazing. Americans talk - a lot!

Where we stayed- http://www.bestwesternpeppertreeinn.com/  Santa Barbara

USA Road Trip - Monterey to Cambria

Day 8- Heading South to Carmel and the Big Sur

Who is looking at who? Elephant stare

This was the best day in the car of the entire trip and perhaps we should have allocated an extra day to this stretch of seaside. We hit the Coast and made our way onto 17 mile drive. There was a 10 Dollar toll to pay but it was worth it. We stopped for coffee at Pebble Beach. It is a Public Course, anyone can play. Well if you have 500 Dollars in your pocket you can. We made do with a look at the practice putting green, that was free. Carmel by the sea beckoned. We did the Tourist thing, a wander on the beach and then a nose around the shops. It was still a bit misty and cool but we enjoyed our time in this very pleasant town.
Our aim was to have Lunch at the Mission Ranch, owned by Clint Eastwood a former Mayor of Carmel. We found it OK but they were only serving Dinner.
Must have a word next time I see him, Go on Clint, Make my Day - open for Lunch (please)!

Tee in the rocks

Tea for two at Pebble Beach

On course

Carmel Beach

Keen Shopper in Carmel

Mission Ranch

Mission Ranch

Their Reception recommended The Hyatt Carmel Highlands so off we toddled.

Lunchtime vista

Great views of the Ocean, even with low cloud, and a nice Lunch with great service. They only have Valet parking by the Hyatt but a kind Lady at a hotel up the road let us park free over lunchtime.

Onward and downward along Highway One. It is a fairly leisurely drive, Americans going South towards LA are somewhere else, on one of the fast track options. It was a stop and start journey as we took in the scenery from the various viewpoints.

Looking back in the mist to Bixby Bridge

Nepenthe Restaurant - Coffee Break

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
an 80ft waterfall hits the beach

A stop at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park was recommended to us. We duly stopped and paid our 10 Dollars. Some bounders parked by the road and avoided the fee. Some foreign tourists ignored the signs that the beach was out-of bounds and were give a citation by the Park Rangers. There were also wiped down as the local vegetation includes poison oak an innocuous looking plant that can cause very nasty allergic reactions.  We had a good chat with one of the Rangers and he told us that some indigenous people are immune. He also told us that the whale we saw off-shore was a Humpback. 

TW takes in the view at JPBSB

Poison Oak

Piedras Blancas Beach

The Elephant Seals are a sight to see. They were nearly hunted to extinction but were saved when we humans found other sources of oil. They first turned up here in the 90's and now about 17,000 call this beach home. Happily not all were on the sand for our visit, they are very, very smelly! Next stop the Bluebird Inn, our excellent Motel. Dinner at Robins Restaurant was lovely.

The sun goes down on a great day

Where we stayed http://www.bluebirdinncambria.com/  Cambria

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USA Road Trip - Monterey or bust

Day 7 Coastal Caper

Seals at Monterey

Back in the Malibu for another long drive down from the Sierra Mountains towards the Pacific Coast. It started as a pleasant easy run on a quiet road flanked by Pine Trees. The forests are sadly being depleted by a combination of a prolonged drought and a dastardly beetle. Anyway, we were soon on the fertile inland plain that runs the length of California. They can grow practically anything here, everything from Almonds to Zucchini. Spot the fruit was a good game to play as we headed down the long straight roads. We took a Lunch break at Hollister which was a little frustrating. Jerry's looked from the outside to be fast food but it was pretty slow and mega portions. A massive Gammon steak turned up after a delay and alongside were Potatoes, Pancakes etc. Hollister was previously only know to me as a sporty tee-shirt brand from Southern California. From today it will be a mega meal destination with very leisurely service. Eventually we traversed the coastal range and reached Monterey. We stopped at the Stagecoach Inn, a Motel in a decent location, not far from the sea. Bags were quickly dumped and we headed for the bike hire shop in Cannery Row.

Back on the bikes

We managed to get an hour in before the shop closed. We pedalled South along beautiful coastline and then were blown back to Cannery Row. We saw seals, birds and nice but not too posh homes. TW reckoned some of the lawns were artificial? Nice colourful plants but the coastal vegetation is not native having been imported from South Africa.

Our Coastal Bike Route

On the Coast

The native stuff was dominated by Poison Oak which is a really unsociable plant that can put you in hospital. Very nice to get some sea air after the long drive. Cannery Row made famous by Steinbeck and Sardines is a bit tripperish today but otherwise Monterey made a nice stop-over. TW insisted on a break at the Ghirardelli Choc Shop. We dined out on the local Fisherman's Wharf. We were a bit late and the meal was a bit underwhelming but we probably chose the wrong place. We could have done with a wagon and horses to get us back to the Stagecoach but instead it was a safe 30 minute wander.

Wagons roll at the Stagecoach

USA Road Trip - Yosemite - Heading for the Hills

Day 5 - On the safe side of the street

Leaving the San Francisco skyline behind

Time to pack up and pick up a hire car - but not before a walk around the City. TW wanted to have a look around Macy's. I planned to sneak a nice coffee and cake but sadly their Cafe opened too late. Off to Alamo  at mid-day to pick up a very tidy Chevrolet Malibu. Hire companies always try and up-sell and we bought additional roadside assistance. Not really sure why the standard roadside assistance does not cover tyre issues? Bit (very) concerned about driving out of the busy, hilly city that is crisscrossed by tram lines in an unfamiliar car on the wrong side of the road. One wrong left turn and we would be dicing with the cable cars and definitely heading for the stars! Our route to the Freeway was planned meticulously and our strategy worked famously. We were soon heading East with the traffic on our carriageway going in the same direction - phew! Only 4 hours to Yosemite National Park. Not a bad drive, we stopped for Lunch at McDonalds in Livingston. It was named after Dr David Livingstone but someone dropped a vowel. Americans do have a habit of doing that. It was in a mostly Agricultural area and many of our fellow guests were speaking Spanish. A nice climb up Highway 140 through Mariposa, an attractive Western looking town. The road was quiet in our direction, our strategy of leaving SF late paid off. Our Motel was just short of the Park in El Portal. The Yosemite View Lodge was pretty pricey for just a standard Motel Room but it had a kitchen area so it was fine for a hastily purchased Spam Pasta and Wine meal. An Irish couple had advised against using the Motel Restaurant as the service was deathly slow. Our room was a bit dark, the Riverside Rooms are better but they cost even more. We were paying for location, and what a location.........

Day 6 - Yosemite National Park

TW in the meadow with Horsetail Falls

Yosemite is stunning and we had a lovely sunny day to see it. A very full day with a wander up to Mirror Lake being a highlight. It was extremely busy with tourists but it did not detract from our day.
They have an optional Park and Shuttle Ride system - we did the decent thing and opted in. The buses were a little bit of a trial, they seem to do multiple figures of eight so there is no such thing as a simple A to B.

Lower Yosemite Falls

 

Bear Necessity - put your food out of reach

Oh, and bears like Tarragon. We had a talk and walk with a very jolly Ranger who meandered verbally and on foot through the bear history and habitat. Humans have a very negative impact on our furry friends. Like the rest of us, the bears like the easy life and a few treats and its vital to keep them away from our foodstuffs and waste. The huge number of campers have to put their food in bear-proof cages and eat their fatty and unhealthy food themselves. A scavenging bear might only last 6 years whereas a bear with a proper varied diet of berries and whatever else satisfies their omnivorous taste buds will last 30. In times past the Rangers used to encourage the bears to come to feeding time but not any more. Stay wild young Bruin! No Burgers.

Small world - some other tourists took this - from Southampton

Mirror Lake

Spot the climber - on El Capitan

Lower Yosemite Falls

Falls and Fools - its a ussie sort of place

 Beats me how people climb on the vertical rock faces like El Capitan. This is a glacial valley and the rock-faces are absolutely vertical, Suitable only for waterfalls and birdies.