Today brought the start of our road trip traveling north up the Pacific Highway to San Fransisco.  

Packing up our suitcases and checking out of the Palihouse we say farewell to Santa Monica we head  to the car hire centre at LAX.  

After completing the administration process with little pleasantries we were soon stood in front of a vast array of SUVs of which we had to pick which one we would want to drive for the next week.  With only one important criteria needing to be fulfilled…. Aux in.. It didn’t take long for us to be driving away in a White Jeep Compass..Still a little disappointed that I said no to a convertible.. Chris is a tiny bit placated that a Jeep is quite Californiaesque.

We navigate our way down the busy LA freeway and are happy when we merge on to the open road of Highway 1….with the Pacific Ocean on our left and the Santa Monica mountains on our right…we were in awe of the breathtaking secenery.

Having only had the left over “lard lad” donut for breakfast we search for food in Malibu.. Chris spots a sign for a Beach Cafe and we are soon experiencing the fare of Paradise Cove Beach Cafe.  I opt for Papa Joes Fish Po Boy whilst Chris breaks from the norm with The world Famous Lobster Tacos.  The portions are enormous but we did manage to polish them all off.

After a quick stroll down the beach we head back onto Highway 1.  

Santa Barbra is our next stop..during which Chris gives me a brief history lesson informing me that California used to belong to Mexico and was sold to America in the 1800’s.. Not sure where he got this nugget of information from but after a few moments I say is that why all the place names are Spanish…all I can say its been a really stressful few weeks and my brain has had enough!

A short walk down the Wharf and a quite and expensive ice cream later we are on the the final leg of today’s journey.. To Cambria where our lodgings for the night is the FogCatcher Inn. 

After a quick swim and relax in the spa pool we discuss tea options. Still full from our mega lunch we opt not to follow the dinner recommendations and head to the local supermarket for snacks. We finally settle for some microwave White Castle Burgers..Nacho chips and dips.. Donut holes and a six pack of beer… Not the healthiest of choices but we are on holiday.

Despite the drop in temperature we see the night draw in sat on a bench in the moonlight listening to the waves crash in drinking our California brewed beers.

Tomorrow allows for a lazy start as we have a short drive to our next stop Carmel.