California Coast trip

[innerSpaceman]

We will expect a full trip report when possible.

[katiesue]

Here you go - tried to keep it shorter.

Day one-
We headed up through LA to Santa Barbara and had lunch at the ubber swanky McDonalds. Madz was uninterested in stopping at anything along the way so no missions etc. We then kept heading north and stopped in Solvang.

She was not a happy camper but started taking some photos so that kept her busy until we found a candy store. She wanted clogs but I’m not getting her $95 clogs so she settled for Crocs which she wore the whole trip. We then made a quick stop at Andersons in Buellton for some cans of soup, then headed up Highway one to San Simeon. Had dinner and a nice walk on the beach there.

Dinner at the hotel resturant was interesting. They had a sort of psuedo egyptian theme, african masks and a disco ball. And crap overpriced food.

Day two-
We got to Hearst Castle a little early so took the first tour of the day, which was great as it was smaller. We took zillions of photos between us. It was all so amazing. Her favorite was the Neptune pool,

mine was the indoor pool.

Fascinating that both were heated by wood burning boilers originally. The detail work was just amazing.

By the time we came back down the hill the place was just packed so I’m glad we got there early. We were back on the road at 11:30ish.

I made her stop to look at the Elephant Seals, you’d have thought I made her walk over glass barefoot. Then back on the road to Monterey after some short stops. We got to the aquarium around two.

It was really packed but we had a good time checking it all out. Madz got a kids passport that had different stations all over and when you got all the stamps you got a poster. She calls it the jellyfish aquarium as there were many many different jellyfish exhibits.

When we were done there we headed to our hotel in Marina. Dined at the oh so swanky Denny’s. They had a nice indoor Jacuzzi which was nice after a long day in the car.

Day three-
Lounged around at the Jacuzzi again after breakfast and headed north to Santa Cruz. First stop was the Mystery Spot. Madz loved it. She spent the whole time trying to figure it all out.

Then we went and got ice cream at Marriannes. She didn’t like either of my favorites, bubblegum or watermelon, and had vanilla. She did not want to go to the boardwalk at all so we just drove by. She spent the whole day asking when we’d get to my cousin L’s house.

We took Highway One up through San Francisco to the Golden Gate Bridge. I’d never been able to stop and go out on it before so we did that. Well we got about 40 feet out before the whining got louder than the wind.

So into the car, drove over the bridge and then around the bay to my cousin L’s in Livermore.

She’d picked up her other cousin B who’s Madzers age so they had a great time hanging out.

Day four-
We got the girls up and headed to the Bart station to go into the City (this was Madzer’s favorite part of the day).

We got off Bart and had some lunch then walked through the Ferry Building, which is really impressive, to Pier 39. We used to drive around by the Piers a lot when we were kids and they’ve done so much to clean it all up it’s amazing. Did a little shopping and the girls rode the Merry go Round. My Aunt, who works in the city, joined us there. Mousepod called to try and possible meet up before we got onto the boat for Alcatraz at 1:45. Of course my phone wacked out about then and we missed him, but decided to try again after Alcatraz.

Took the boat out to Alcatraz and did the audio tour and watched the film. It was very interesting but the place is literally falling apart everywhere. The girls liked the audio tour. They spent some time photo taking and getting practically blown away on one side of the island. We got in touch with Mousepod on the ferry ride back and met up at the dock. We had promised the girls ice cream so stopped at Ben & Jerry’s. My cousin needed to get home to sign some documents on her re-fi so we were kind of out of time. Luckily Mousepod helped us find the cable car stop, map reading apparently isn’t my Aunt’s forte. Said goodbye to Mousepod and took the cable car to the end and then Bart back to Livermore.


Day five –

We let the girls sleep in a bit then got in the car and headed to Columbia. We went through Oakdale on the way and decided to check and see if there were tours at the Hershey plant. They apparently stopped them in 2001, bummer. But there was a yummy gift shop. Back in the car to Columbia. It’s kind of a big gold mining/tourist trap place but the girls had a great time. Panning for gold was their favorite. They did it for a good two hours. they were sure they were going to strike it rich.

We walked around and saw all the different buildings. Had a little lunch. More gold panning. Then drove back to Livermore.

Day six-

My mom, sister and niece came over as well as my aunt. We just hung out in the backyard and let the kids play all afternoon. Nice relaxing day.

Day seven-
Straight shot, one stop, all the way back down the 5. Madz watched a few movies and listened to some cd’s.

We had a great trip. I’d love to go back and do some of the other tours of Hearst Castle. ISM they didn’t have any other info on the night tours with costumes other than the dates.

Huge thanks to Mousepod for taking the time to meet with us (and it took him two trips to the docks). I think my aunt has a little crush. Sorry we ran out of time to try and meet with Snowflake. I definately need to make a trip without Madz so I can actually do things.

[Not Afraid]

I wonder if I was that whiney when my parents threw me in the car and made me travel? I probably was, but I have great memories now and it instilled in me a love of travel. Here's to Mom's and their infinate amounts of patience! And, to road trips!

[katiesue]

"Mom you're the best mom ever. Well except for the ones on TV."

[Not Afraid]

Awwwww, the little angel!

[innerSpaceman]

Nice pics.


So, um, when's that swanking at San Simeon???

[katiesue]

The basic schedule is Friday and Saturday nights. There were a couple of the days in October that were "special events" so not operating those dates. They go every day the last two weeks of December excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

[Tramspotter]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Nice pics.
So, um, when's that swanking at San Simeon???

I was just there and the tour guide said that they will be having a charity dinner party opening up the grounds early September for some charity and it's something rediculous like 10,000 per plate.

We took the latest Tour and no one was dressed up and it was getting awful cold at the end I think even if they did do some kind of special night tour it would be tapering off now due to weather.

There are like 5 different tours avalible 22 bones each,
We did the recomended novice one.

And even though this is too late advice... if going to Solvang stop off and feed the ostrich's in-between beulton and solvang for 5 bucks it's worth the pictures alone

[katiesue]

Originally Posted by Tramspotter

And even though this is too late advice... if going to Solvang stop off and feed the ostrich's in-between beulton and solvang for 5 bucks it's worth the pictures alone

I so wanted to do that but the kid wouldn't do it. It was beneath her or something.

The website says the evening tour is spring and fall only. Link