OXNARD to SALINAS – California Dreamin’
Friday – following the trend – today is another slow start and after our leisurely hot buffet (which makes a nice change) breakfast in the Club Room upstairs.
The room is all bedecked out in a Wild West theme and after return helpings of sustenance we are ready to continue the journey.It is only a short drive to our first stop Santa Barbara. Unfortunately the weather today starts off showery but, ever the optimists, we are hoping for fine weather as we travel North along the coast.
Being near the ocean is always a good idea and doubley especially good (pardon the grammar) if it is the Pacific because I know that this ocean is also breaking along the coastline of my home in Australia, many thousands of miles away.
The mists have rolled in but it is not cold – only a little damp under foot but that’s OK and undeterred we press on. We park the car and getting out I take a deep breath of salty ocean air. It’s just the best feeling.
Along the walk there are little shops and a Maritime Museum – some are very old wooden buildings and of course they have taken on the smell and character of the ocean.
On our way along the wharf to the breakwater we discover a statue of a young boy riding a seahorse. This statue was donated to Santa Barbara by their Sister City – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Continuing on our way and by the looks of things there has been one doozy of a storm out to sea last night as the beach to our right, Leadbetter Beach, is strewn with loads of seaweed.
Kylie and I have donned our jackets and all three of us continue our leisurely walk along the marina to the end of the breakwater and even here seaweed is strewn along the path.
The tide and waves must have been really huge because the wall along the breakwater is about 10 feet high!
At the end of the breakwater is a Memorial to all those souls lost at sea. It is a very sombre place made more so because of the grey weather but as we pause for a moment’s reflection some brainless female twit starts up a loud conversation on her mobile phone.
Why she had to do it here of all places is beyond me.
Nevertheless we grit our teeth and I continue taking photos and video while trying to get away from her voice. At the end of the breakwater there is a sand bar that – on a nice day – you can walk right out to the channel. Unfortunately today is not the day – so maybe another item will be added to the ‘Macarthur’ list.
As I am cavorting around K & T find themselves a most unique seat so that they can rest and enjoy the sounds and smell of the ocean. It’s great isn’t it?
Even though we have not rushed it is a long walk back to the car and it has started to sprinkle a bit so we head off. On the way back Kylie points out the yellow yacht ‘Taxi Dancer’. She says this is the yacht belonging to Rick Springfield. I take video but no still photos.
When we get back to the little shops we of course buy the obligatory souvenirs and we also have a quick look in the Maritime Museum.
Back in the car and heading north we try and lift our spirits and the weather by playing selected songs of the Beach Boys. As we are crooning ‘California Girls’ at the top of our voices the mist and grey clouds disappear and the morning begins to improve with blue skies and a hint of Summer.
Things are looking up and the coastline is developing into a beautiful blue ocean. We would really love to stop at some beach – but parking is at a premium. However we do find a spot – Pismo Beach – just south of San Louis Obispo.
After stating ‘I want to walk along at least one California beach’, we park the car and then discover that we don’t have to walk over sand hills to the water – we have to climb down a rather long set of stairs. We get half way down – and Kylie calls it a day. She is going no further – because we have to walk back up don’t we.
Being adventurous the walk down the stairs continues and I finally get some California sand between my toes. Maybe it’s because I really wanted to walk along Malibu that there is a sense of nothing here. Even humming a few bars of ‘Gidget’ – don’t ask – just don’t ask – I realise that even though it’s a lovely beach, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not where I wanted to be.
The houses around the cliffs seem to be holiday units or holiday hostels and it just doesn’t seem to have any character sorry to say. Kylie is still sitting half way on the stairs with arms folded so it’s time to go back as we still have a couple of places yet to see today. The walk back up the stairs is very tiring and I am glad to collapse back into the car.
Continuing on we visit the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa.
HISTORY LESSON : In the 1700’s the Spanish Empire stretched around the globe when England and Russia became interested in Upper California, the Spanish Government looked for a way to establish itself more firmly in America – and hence the mission system was the answer to establishing outposts without great expense.
This mission was founded on September 1, 1772 and named for Saint Louis, Bishop of Toulouse, France. With the help of the local Chumash Indians, temporary buildings were erected. For more interesting facts please take the time to visit their website where you can also take a Virtual Tour.
It is such a pretty place with lots of shady nooks to be at peace with everything and well worthy of your time when in the area.
When we put this adventure together we had umm’d and ahhh’d about travelling either up the Coast Road or travelling inland. We choose the Coast Road – firstly for the spectacular scenery – secondly to be near the ocean and thirdly Hearst Castle. The afternoon is getting on and we want to try and make Hearst Castle before it is too late.
We have no idea of the visiting times so we keep our fingers crossed that it will still be open but when we get there we find that the last bus to the Castle has left about 5 minutes before we arrive. Bugger! Kylie is not impressed to say the least.
When arriving at the place you have to park your car down the hill and get the tour bus up to the castle. But it is not meant to be for us today. That is a shame as this place was built by William Randolph Hearst, a most noted figure whose influences extended well into publishing and politics. It is also the residence where Mr Hearst lived with popular Hollywood actress Marion Davies.
It was also here that they entertained the cream of Hollywood Royalty – not to mention some real royalty when they had the chance.
Returning to our car, Kylie says she is driving and as the storm clouds gather and the thunder and lightning rage above her head as in the comics – Tyler does not argue and I climb quietly into the back seat. Thus begins the remainder of our Coast Road drive – otherwise known as the Highway to Hell.
If I had the AC/DC song on my ipod I would have played it for sure! No-one is game to speak for fear that she may propel us over the edge and into the Pacific!
It is a very quiet drive – we do not stop until I meekly say ‘can we stop and get a photo of the coastline please?’ The car comes to a screeching halt and I jump out in case she changes her mind.
Every part of my being is thinking that she is going to drive off and leave me here – but no, she waits calmly but still with a look of thunder.
There are loads of kelp beds close to shore but I do not see any creatures from the deep. We make another stop down the highway and that is it. As the road is not one would call a major 6 lane highway – see photo on the right I don’t mention Big Sur where we all wanted to stop.
In fact I don’t mention anything else.
T & I grip our seat belts and hang on. I am glad we had a chance to visit the Mission – we need all the help we can get!
Hopefully we will reach Salinas soon where I can jump into the safety of my bed and pull the blankets over my head! We only have a few days left of our journey and I think that tempers are starting to wear a bit thin. It is such a big trip and all the driving even being split between K & T is starting to take its toll.
I chickened out in the driving department when we left St Helens and discovered how frightening it was that all the traffic was driving on the wrong side of the road!
This is our hotel for the night – Best Western Salinas Monterey. Looks flash doesn’t it? After checking in we decide to have some dinner at the eating establishment across the car park – Margies Diner – whose motto is ‘In the Mood? Try Real Food!’
Everyone is still on the quiet side but we manage to get through dinner. I order a Grilled Chicken Burger that comes with a choice of soup, salad, potatoes or onion rings. I opt for the salad.
After we have had our fill of food – we head back to get some well earned rest in our comfy room.
Tomorrow is Monterey – hopefully the storms will have cleared and the skies will be fine!
Highlight of the day: walking by the ocean in the rain at Santa Barbara