Second last of the driving days, so up fairly early & on the road by 9am. Weather still overcast, but no rain so was good driving conditions. The major attraction in Santa Barbara istheir "Mission" (Spanish Church)- Some history: When the Spanish came to a suitable location for a town, they built the "Presidio" (Fort), the Mission" (Church) & then the Village, in that order, so the Mission is considered very important.
The Mission of Santa Barbara was built in 1786 by Padre Junipero Serra & is nicknamed "Queen Of The Missions" & that she is. About the Missions - There are 21 that start in San Diego (Cambria) & go all the way north to Monterey & are a days ride apart. Thhey are linked by "The Royal Road - Modern US Highway 101" - A vivid reminder of the history of this turbulant, multi-cultural country.
Out of Santa Barbara we turned the car south & headed towards Los Angeles to pick up Cousin Wendy who was flying in today (so 4 in the car). As we came into greater LA we pased through famous suburbs like "Huntington Beach" & "Laguna Beach" - Lots of beautiful people & cars.
Picked up Wendy & made our way to San Diego, passing through Orange County (The OC), that giant slab of spoilt suburbia wedged between LA & San Diego - Malls & beaches - the panacea to all problems in this part of the world.
Actually getting into SD should have been easy, but with no map it wasn't, so after many wrong turns onto incorrect Freeways, we eventually found our way thanks to the assistance of a local, arriving @ our hotel, the very, very impressive "US Grant" around 5pm.
The US Grant is a SD landmark in luxury since 1910 (potentially the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in, although my bed @ home is pretty damn good). Met up with Mat & Jules who also drove down from Santa Barbara today & went out for dinner in the beautifully restored "Gaslamp District" on the once notorious 5th Ave, for a very enjoyable meal @ "La Festa" (Mexican) - Slept very well that night.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment