“Driving Down the 101 … CALIFORNIA!”
A very sun kissed [older] woman struts to her parked Range Rover in espadrilles, her bleach blonde hair blown out. So, reality TV is real. But, there is so much more to SoCal than the celebs, Rodeo Drive and clubs. My best friend, Hannah, and I kissed that tourist trap and SPI goodbye and hijacked my mom’s hybrid to drive down the 101 on a California adventure.
DAY 1: “GOOD WILL HUNTING”
Of course, our first day drowned in heavy downpour. But, we’re homebodies, and welcomed a day to relax. Honestly, some of the best days are the dark, rainy ones where you chill on the couch, wrapped in a big blanket with your cup of tea, Oreos and a good movie. It was a necessary day, especially post-exams. And now, I can highly recommend “Good Will Hunting.”
[LA traffic and drivers are THE worst. God forbid it rains.]
DAY 2: SANTA BARBARA
And the rain continued. But we couldn’t vegetate again (in part, due to this blog)! So, we drove north and fortunately, there was the sun. Santa Barbara is super scenic —no wonder UCSB is a top party school. I’d play all day too! We walked the three-plus miles down State Street in downtown. We discovered “So Good Jewelry,” and ended on the pier and beach of Stearns Wharf — a tourist attraction, but nevertheless, very attractive.
[Go to the county courthouse. Take the elevator to the clock tower for a pretty city view!]
DAY 3: THE 101
I love San Diego. But it is three hours south of my family’s LA home. Thanks to Dad, we made an impromptu two-day trip. Southbound, we stopped in Santa Monica. Santa Monica lacks the charm of Santa Barbara. But, its 3rd Street Promenade hosts a farmer’s market every Wednesday and Saturday, and we enjoyed a very LC/Lo-like lunch outside, surrounded by street performers and … the homeless.
[Drive on the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). You’ll hate the drive to Champaign even more.]
Somehow, we ended up in LA gangland, which induced a panic attack, then in LA traffic. So, our plans to kayak in San Diego failed. But, we caught the last of the sun while walking along La Jolla Shores. It was Hannah’s first Pacific Ocean experience. Apparently, we look like we are on a honeymoon in the photos. I beg to differ, but I probably need to take a boyfriend or a dog to La Jolla next time.
DAY 4: SAN DIEGO
Although we awoke to Elizabeth Taylor’s death, we were in San Diego, so all was well. We started early at Torrey Pines, hiking the Beach Trail. It was calming, yet exhilarating and refreshing. And it was GORGEOUS!!! With its ocean view and red rock, it was definitely the best find. We were just genuinely happy!
[Go hike, bike or kayak. It’s a cheap adrenaline rush you won’t regret!]
We may have missed the LA photo ops, but we’re so glad we did! It was the perfect spring break — no plans, no worries — typical SoCal.