This time last week I was bombing down Route 1, Pacific Coast Highway in my convertible red mustang thinking I was the coolest thing ever, blissfully unaware that I looked like the ultimate tourist. After some hair raising 6 lane freeway negotiating, we started off in Venice Beach in LA staying at the wonderful Venice Beach House with our room catching a glimpse of the sea. Somehow we managed to get a table at the ubercool Gjelina on Abbot Kinney Blvd. Slightly healthier than the lunch we had the Sidewalk Cafe - the best position to people watch on the promenade.
We caught the amazing Herb Ritts exhibition high up at the Getty Museum with the best views over LA. Then it was onto Santa Barbara staying at the homely Bath St B&B. Sea Mist scuppering our beach plans. The long but breathtaking drive through Big Sur, past the huge lazy sea lions, brought us to the magical Carmel-by-the-sea. The beach here was just too difficult to leave, making us late for our date with San Francisco. We made it just in time for our best meal of the trip at Luna Park in the achingly cool Mission district. As for the Golden Gate Bridge, I can't say for sure that it actually exists as even though I supposedly cycled across it, I could only see 5 yards in front of me through the mist. Definitely a reason to go back.
