Solvang, Santa Barbara, Pismo California Road trip

[Stumpy]

Being I have had just about enough of exec life, I woke up Saturday morning and asked the wife to pack a few quick things as we are going on a road trip No plans, no hotels booked just go. She smiled and said OK.

So I headed South along the Cal coast. First stop was a little town called Solvang. Its a Dutch themed town. Interesting little place and my missus thought it was nice. she grabbed up a few pastries and chocolate. I stopped by the brewery and had a beer.












50 miles further south we drove to Santa Barbara. Did not really stay as it is a nice town but we did not stop and take any pics. We had lunch. We decided to head back North to Pismo beach. We found a nice resort over looking the Ocean called the Seacrest. the day was a beauty. Nice breeze off the ocean. We took a walk on the beach towards the pier and downtown Pismo Beach. We stopped at Steamers Bar and Grill and shared a big bowl of Cioppino and a few Margaritas.







My wife really liked the beach walk and the dinner.



This morning we got up at 5:30a and took a walk along the beach. The above view was the morning shot from the room. Crisp and cool.

We headed back to Northern Calif. The missus really liked the impromptu trip albeit a bit pricey but we agreed not everything should be a planned trip.

[ltnt]

Nice break from NorCal JPPR. I Lived in Solvang for 6 months once while on a project for Chevron....Gaviota Plant. Pismo is and was always a nice quiet place. Santa Barbara just a stones throw away...Next week visit Carmel for the weekend.

[Boon Mee]

Good pics JP!

Did you partake of the split pea soup while you were there in Solvang? They're famous for it.

Should have taken a side trip into Isla Vista while you were in the SB area. It would have reminded you of LOS in many ways. Dogs sleeping in the streets. Laid back, man.

[Stumpy]

Did you partake of the split pea soup while you were there in Solvang?

Actually I did not. I had had it before and it was great missus does not care for cream soups.

[Stumpy]

Next week visit Carmel for the weekend.

We did the 17 mile drive when she first came. Had lunch on the Monterey Fisherman's wharf.

Actually on the drive back we had a nice talk I have one nice trip planned a month until we exit. Next month is Yosemite and a trip to Half Dome.

[Exit Strategy]

Thanks, this was nice read. And pics were great too. Good way to spend some time, I find that having some good time increases your productivity at work as well, so actually the cost of checking in to nice hotel at last minute at high rate does not matter

We do similar road trips here in Thailand, like driving along either the eastern or western coast or towards Kanchanaburi mountains or whatever direction according to the mood. I even have special suitcase always ready packed with necessary stuff you might need on such a trip, so we can just grab it and go (or actually after missus chooses her clothes).

Freedom is good.

[ltnt]

Next month is Yosemite and a trip to Half Dome.

That's always a nice journey. Do you plan on camping there? One of my favorite places to camp out and enjoy the natural beauty of Yosemite...

I also love to go up to Lake Tahoe and camp out. Helps if you have access to a boat and can either water ski or do some lake fishing.

I guess you didn't stop in at Bo Dereck's Horse Ranch for a visit in Solvang? Point Conception is also a great outdoors place if you have access beyond the guarded gates...deer, coyotes, rabbits, sea lions and loads of secluded private beaches.

I used to stay in B&B's in Carmel. Great eating out there. Mostly went in the winter to get away from the tourists.

[melvin]

Great pics. Thought Solvang was Danish themed?

[Davis Knowlton]

^Dutch? Danish? JPPR's a yank - all the same...Europe stuff.

[ltnt]

Thought Solvang was Danish themed?

More or less Scandinavian. Loads of wineries around this area. Great bakeries.

[Stumpy]

Do you plan on camping there? One of my favorite places to camp out and enjoy the natural beauty of Yosemite...

Naaah Ltnt. I have camped at Yosemite so many times. Not saying its a bad thing to do when you can but my wife not much of a camper. She loves to hike though. These places are more for the missus and her list of places to see before we leave.

She has like 6, I think they are

Disneyland

Niagara Falls and lower Manhattan

Grand Canyon

We will take a Cruise to either Alaska or Mexico. I've done both already and both are fun in their own way.

Another Vegas weekend, she loves her Penny slots and staying up all night

Bahamas

I find that having some good time increases your productivity at work as well, so actually the cost of checking in to nice hotel at last minute at high rate does not matter

Well decompressing just makes things better, Not all that concerned about productivity. In a start up that is ramping you are visible so you either contribute or you are out....

Freedom is good

Freedom is GREAT!!!!

[helge]

Great pics. Thought Solvang was Danish themed?

It is

Some still master the old tongue too

Looks very 'superficial' to a Dane

[terry57]

Nice pics mate,

America is one god dam beautiful country no doubt about that.

To bad you guys drive on the wrong side of the road, I'd love to rent a car and tour.

Can't get my head around driving on the wrong side though.

The near Head on with the bus in Hawaii ended my road dream.

[Exit Strategy]

Alaska

Is on my list where I would like to have some time. Knowing good and bad sides roughly at least. Flying to Canada first, starting at Vancouver, the southern end and then following coastline (+some places inland) heading north. But this would take time. For some unexplainable reason I want to go to Anchorage.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Exit Strategy Freedom is good Freedom is GREAT!!!!

You said it better.

[Exit Strategy]

To bad you guys drive on the wrong side of the road, I'd love to rent a car and tour.
Can't get my head around driving on the wrong side though.

Don't worry about that mate, it's same as in Cambodia, I've been driving there on the wrong side for ages. You get used to it, just be careful in the beginning and no beer etc. And have full international insurance preferably from AUS to minimize any potential probs...

[Stumpy]

I want to go to Anchorage

I've been to Juno a few times, Beautiful place. Fishing incredible. Air crisp. Couldn't live there.

Never been to Anchorage other than landing and waiting.

[Boon Mee]

Do you plan on camping there? One of my favorite places to camp out and enjoy the natural beauty of Yosemite...

Naaah Ltnt. I have camped at Yosemite so many times. Not saying its a bad thing to do when you can but my wife not much of a camper. She loves to hike though. These places are more for the missus and her list of places to see before we leave.

She has like 6, I think they are

Disneyland

Niagara Falls and lower Manhattan

Grand Canyon

We will take a Cruise to either Alaska or Mexico. I've done both already and both are fun in their own way.

Another Vegas weekend, she loves her Penny slots and staying up all night

Bahamas

Don't forget Cabo San Lucas for a weekend. If you're taking her to Disneyland it's not far from there - Anaheim to the Mexican border + 3 hours if memory serves.

[Stumpy]

If you're taking her to Disneyland it's not far from there - Anaheim to the Mexican border + 3 hours if memory serves.

Going to Cabo is like Disneyland in soooooo many ways.

Prob no Cabo, Likely LaPaz.

[Boon Mee]

If you're taking her to Disneyland it's not far from there - Anaheim to the Mexican border + 3 hours if memory serves.

Going to Cabo is like Disneyland in soooooo many ways.

Prob no Cabo, Likely LaPaz.

For an even more authentic Mexican experience, get down to Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido. Biggest waves on the entire west coast of N. America during the fall.

[halen]

Cabo is one of my favourite destination. I visited there once about a year ago. You must go there and hope you will have good time there as well as i had.