I know YOU know what I mean
when I tell you that I have been so swamped that I really truly have not had a minute to digest the fact…
THE extremely exciting fact that we are leaving for California today!!!!
My bags are packed…I am kind of ready to go…I am a tad sad to leave my Charlie dog and my little Miss Muffin puppy but they are going to be in good hands with our neighbor house sitting.
I put a note of Facebook the other day…soliciting ideas for California sight-seeing and the kids mapped out a route…and finally I am beginning to feel like it is happening!!!
We will start in Los Angeles and then slowly make our way up the state…ending the trip (and celebrating my Birthday!) in San Francisco! I plan to give you a run down of our days adventures…complete with photos!
…..as I was packing..and RE packing and then doing the “Don’t take so much packing!” and “then just take it all anyway knowing you will wear 1/2 of what I take” packing…it struck me how there was NO debating which shoes would be going…yes I have some cute dressy slides and such but I guarantee that I will LIVE in these…
AND THESE FIT FLOPS
This is the story of how I came to be a ‘FIT FLOPS” BELIEVER.
A few years ago, I was in NYC with the family. It was also the week of my Birthday and one of my gifts to myself was a new pair of shoes…I wore the shoes all day one day and they cut my feet up so bad, that I literally threw them in a trash can (and watched from a café restaurant as someone fished them out). My feet were a mess and the next day, I walked ….well limped REALLY, into shoe store on Madison Avenue and saw these funny looking things and tried them on
…OMG I felt like my feet had died and gone to FEET Heaven.
I wore them right out of the store
………and for the remainder of the summer! No blisters, No fatigue…just comfy walking and I never looked back.
I do not work for Fit Flops but I might buy stock in them! They are so great..I have packed two pair for LA. When it comes to my feet, and walking around all day seeing sights..I honestly am more concerned with comfort that looks…but these have actually grown on me…I just checked the website and they have a bunch on sale!!!
If you have some big walking to do…check them out!
Please send me any California suggestions you might have we will be there 10 whole days!!!
you are truly missing the best part of California…San Diego!! I would skip Hearst Castle and spend that time in San Diego but am sure you will have a wonderful time.
not to worry, we have two days in San Diego planned!!1
On your way up the coast from LA (take 101 or HWY 1, don’t take I-5. There is NOTHING nice to see on I-5), check out Santa Barbara. If you haven’t been before, it is gorgeous California-Spanish at it’s best. The courthouse & gardens are breathtaking. Have a picnic lunch at the park on the Mesa, with a fun playground and awesome views of the beach & channel. Definitely stop for ice cream on the pier before you go.
Solvang is a cute historic town that is a must-stop as well. It’s pretty well signed on the 101 route from SB to Buellton. From 101 north, take SR246 east to Solvang for a fun, kitschy day-trip!
I love spending time in Arroyo Grande & Grover Beach and to go antiquing and thrifting. There are so many shops! Pismo Dunes is also fun – rent a dune buggy and get a little crazy for the day! If you just want to stop and stretch, get off the 101 at Shell Beach and head over to Dinosaur Caves Park. My boys LOVE this park, and the walking trail has some pretty incredible views. Watch the kelp beds – you’ll see otters floating around, dive-bombing pelicans, and the odd sea lion. If you’re really lucky, you may see some whale spray in the distance – humpbacks are migrating along the coast right now.
When you get to San Luis Obispo, you have a choice…stay on HWY 1 north (with absolutely breathtaking scenery and numerous places to stop (fill up in SLO first though!) or take the faster 101 north. HWY 1 will take you through Morro Bay, Cayucous, Cambria & Hearst Castle/San Simeon. I adore the Castle, and have taken every tour. If you have the opportunity, stay the night in Cambria and take the Sunset Tour at the Castle. Docents dress in period attire, and you feel like a guest at one of the famed Hearst/Davies parties. It’s awesome (though any tour is!). (For a special treat, the lighthouse is open for tours on Tuesday mornings. You have to get up early and meet the docent at the old hotel on HWY1, but it’s worth it! Last year my husband and I went, and we were even able to see a pod of migrating whales)
Be advised – from San Simeon north, the 1 is twisty-turny, parts are under construction, and it is narrow! Personally, I’d take 1 any day. Definitely stop off at Ragged Point (there is a hotel, restraunt and snack bar there). If you’ve got the fortitude, hike the mile down the cliffs to the beach – it is absolutely amazing! Or, just stroll through the area on one of the walking paths – again, amazing vistas! Gorda would be the next ‘town’ to stop at, but be aware! They close the town at 5 pm! (Literally – they string a chain across the turn-off)
After that would be Big Sur – lots of little places to stop along the road. Camping and cabins abound, but usually sell out very quickly.
Carmel & Monterey are wonderful. But everybody knows that! My favorite places – the aquarium and the tide pools. Tons of parks, walking & biking trails, shopping. It’s all there.
There’s not much of note on HWY 1 between Monterey and Santa Cruz – lots and lots of farmland. Santa Cruz is fun, with the beach and boardwalk. It does get VERY crowded in summer though! You can skiip SC altogether and not miss much. There is lots of scenery on the 1 between SC and The Bay, but nowhere really to stop. You’d be better off heading east back to the 101 and heading into the Bay that way.
I’m sure you know that, once you get to SF, the best way to get around is BART, walking, Bus, walking. The aquarium is nice, but for a really awesome time, head to the Exploratorium at Pier 15. This is my absolute favorite place in all of SF (though I have not been to the new Pier 15 location). It’s all totally hands-on science, tinkering & FUN. http://www.eploratorium.edu
Tired yet? LOL. I live in CA, and these are some of my favorite places. I’ll add Disney to that, but it’s soooo spendy! I’ve never been to Universal Studios, but I hear it’s great. When Piggy is bigger we will go.
Have a GREAT time!
Try and eat at Betelnut in San Fran. You won’t be disappointed!