So week 1 is nearly over and I suppose I should give a summary of where I’ve been and what I’ve done.
I started off Monday night leaving LA at around 5 pm by the time I got everything sorted with Charlotte and the DMV.
From San Gabriel I bypassed downtown LA and headed straight south out to Long Beach.
Then up the coastline via Santa Monica, where I nipped in to check out the famed pier at night. Clearly much better without tourists, despite the cold. Stumbled across a Zoltar machine where I couldn’t resist getting my fortune told. Who could, after all?
From there onto the world famous Malibu, where I happened to find my hospitality doppelganger in V’s restaurant and bar. It seems that despite all my talk of Costa Rica bars, someone else cottoned on to the marketing brilliance in the name and established MY place here in the heart of Caliornia wealth. Can’t say I blame them tbh. Should have imposed the royal “V” tax, but given it was late and I still had a ways to drive, I graciously forgave that particular debt. I made sure to get a business card to follow up in the near future though.
Ended up as far as Santa Barbara around midnight, in dire need of a sleep. Despite the much touted anti sleeping in cars regulations, I managed to fined a cool spot down by the coast in a car park at Shoreline park. A good first night’s rest in Charlotte’s arms before waking up nearly at dawn and watching the sun come up.
Not a lot of ground covered but I did start late
Day 2 continued the coast theme – following Highway 1 (the famed Pacific Coast highway) along the CA coast.
Dawdling up the road, including a stop to a load of laundry, I end up at Shell Beach, a small community right on the coast.
Parking Charlotte in a nearby street, I popped into Shell Beach Brewhouse for dinner and a welcome beer. Ended up chatting to a few locals, having a couple of pints before heading off to sleep around 9.
Again I woke to a beautiful California sunrise, before heading out to find a proper shower. Truck stop up the road, $10 and a long hot shower brings a freshness to the day.
Track up to Morro Bay and find this huge rock sticking out of the water. Sort of an Uluru of the sea I suppose.
Next stop is a little old ramshackle shack – the Hearst’s old place. It would do at a pinch I suppose…
Surprisingly for the times and despite convention, Wasteful Willie was a champion of equality – if you get to these parts, take the time to take the tour and learn about one of the world’s first feminist “billionaires”* (*adjusted dollars). You will not be disappointed, in fact you might look at the Hearst family a little differently!
As sunset approaches, its a quick spin up to the Lion seals hangout – I know I snore but these guys fart, croak, groan and simply grumble in ways that would cause human mats to reach for the kitchen knives! Still they do provide some cute moments as the sun fades. Plus they make me look literally svelte by comparison!
Just before hitting the Big Sur stretch, I get to pull over into a turnout directly above the ocean. The night sky is amazing, I catch sight of a few meteor/shooting stars and slip to sleep listening to that beautiful sound of surf waves breaking on the shore!
Cali put on yet another beautiful sunrise – almost as if it’s doing it’s utmost best to validate my reasons for travelling. After such a peaceful night, it doesn’t take much to again bring me to kneel to the beauty of the Cali coast.
After wallowing in the pure beauty of nature, it’s time to head off to breakfast – nearest town is Clint Eastwood’s Carmel -and based on yelp recommendations I try Katy’s place. The food is fantastic – truffle eggs Benedict and a hot spiced cider are a deserved treat after a couple of days of eating nothing before lunch.
Sated, the next stop is the famed 17 mile drive in Monterey that runs past Spyglass Hill, Cypress Point and Pebble Beach golf clubs. I get to have a quick wander around Pebble Beach – oh for a hit on the famed course, but a min 2 night stay at the lodge at $200 per night is a luxury I can’t justify.
Pop into the pro shop and try to blag an old iron (so I can practice some swing drills) – to my surprise the pro is happy to help out but only has a putter. I can’t in good conscience accept it given the premise of my request – Oh well, would have been nice to have a trophy from PB.
Back along the coast road, I make it into Santa Cruz, popping into Abbey’s Cafe for a break and some email catchup. Santa Cruz doesnt seem to friendly to overnight campers, the few allowed spots are taken by RVs so I’m forced to head on up the road at night to try and find another turnout like I did near Big Sur
I keep passing them on the Coast side (for South bound traffic) – the problem is seeing them early enough to indicate, brake and turn. Or alternatively finding a place to turn around
None of those happen so I end up all the way at Half Moon bay before I can stop.
This time the turn out is right near Cameron’s Inn, so I can park the car and stop for a beer. Driving a car full time is, as expected, causing problems with having a beer at nights!
Cameron’s is fairly full – and surprisingly I’m not the only Aussie. A couple of gents from Qld are over for business (agriculture) and are there catching up with a Cali mate before heading into Fresno the next day. I get to meet them because they are looking for guinea pigs to test a hot chili sauce they bought in San Fran – the hottest “effin” thing in the entire shop according to one.
I’m up for a taste – given as a toothpick dipped into a small vial that smells strongly of chili and slightly of smokey bbq.
It’s hot, but not ridiculously so – the burn takes a while to come on, but it never gets to the point of being unbearable.
Not so for the 2 Qld boys – one of them has to get a glass of milk after erupting into hiccups, whilst the other starts welling up and sweating like a bugger. Nt doing Qld prud here tbh. The locals try it – agree it has a kick, but it’s not the hottest thing around.
A couple of hrs later the boys leave, I catch the last quarter of the Warriors v Clippers game (What a finish) and head out to the car for sleep.
Friday brings another early start – sleeping in a van means that I’m up every day not long after the sun comes up, and its the final leg into San Fran
I’m there by around 11, then head off to do the tourist things – Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, Cable Cars, driving down Lombard street. On the second cable car trip I manage to get the prized spot standing at the front of the car. I start taking a video on my phone only for the battery to run out halfway through the trip. Bugger I think, still if you want about 8 mins of “bird’s eye” video I’ve got it
Alcatraz is sold out – no tickets available for another 2 weeks so I’ll have to circle back for that. Ok so planning ahead might have some advantages!
Now I’m just about to head over to Oakland for an Off the grid food festival – catch you up with the next set of adventures soon.
