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We got up early today with the plan to visit the northern part of Big Sur and then back up to Carmel-by-the-Sea. For breakfast we finished off the last two gluten free cinnamon muffins we had bought yesterday at Trader Joe's.
The road around Carmel was very busy, but once past it was open road on route 1. The drive was quite twisty but compared to Italy or Greece or Devon it's pretty relaxed. Wide road, good signage and considerate fellow road users. However, as I was warned earlier in the thread, as the driver you can't really take everything in. Here are some photos taken by my daughter. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...56e6a6fea0.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8115cec27f.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...47db432713.jpg Construction work on Bixby Bridge. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...535baa58fb.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...182070d321.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a8f4372aed.jpg Point Sur lighthouse. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3c80e7be16.jpg Rocks. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...63c1a1ba17.jpg More rocks. And a couple I took. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fe5f8df022.jpg Bixby Bridge from afar. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...844ce317c4.jpg The horse. |
At a certain point we had to make a choice. Either drive on to Nepenthe, with no assurance of a decent gluten free experience, or go back and look for somewhere to lunch in Carmel. We decided to turn back but without any decent mobile data coverage, my daughter struggled to find a suitable restaurant. As soon as we got to the outskirts of Carmel, the road suddenly got busy again. Maybe it had to do with the Big Sur Running Marathon that is happening this Sunday. Then my daughter found a gluten free café in Monterey and we decided to skip Carmel altogether. A shame but as I mentioned above, we perhaps should have planned two nights here.
Anyway, Nece's Bakery and Café turned out to be a delight. They had cake and scones and all sorts. My daughter had a bacon jalapeño jack scone and I had a ham and cheese roll. Oh and a slice of cake to share. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f153d6dbbd.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a534bf5935.jpg Mmm bacon. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d5b11026e6.jpg Not a normal roll, more like a croissant. Cake was a fabulous multilayer affair. With still two hours to our next hotel we hit the road again. Freeway 101 down through King City and Paso Robles to San Luis Obispo. We are staying at a Courtyard this time, it's a little ways out of town but seems nice enough. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...fb8b4686db.jpg Bit gloomy. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...67f1573780.jpg Let me turn some lights on. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9b165d7087.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...46b09e8978.jpg Marvellous view. |
I truly enjoy reading travel reports from those going through my native state. Thank you for sharing.
The Mexican restaurant you two have found in San Francisco looks very tasty and a place I would enjoy. I’m in Solvang just 1 hour South where you are staying in San Luis Obispo. |
Originally Posted by syvjeff
(Post 37049300)
I truly enjoy reading travel reports from those going through my native state. Thank you for sharing.
The Mexican restaurant you two have found in San Francisco looks very tasty and a place I would enjoy. I’m in Solvang just 1 hour South where you are staying in San Luis Obispo. We will be driving past you tomorrow afternoon. Although you are a fair way off from hwy 1, this car is so noisy I'm sure you will hear us :D |
Having settled in, we looked at the options for dinner. I preferred Ebony, an Ethiopian restaurant but I was overruled by young lady who wanted chicken tenders and fries. The Old Slo BBQ Co would be the venue. It's not exactly fine dining but they have good credentials for gluten free food, with a separate fryer for coeliacs. All their sauces are GF as well.
First we had a little walk around town. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...dcfe9f8fc7.jpg Modern art museum. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d78582b2f6.jpg Something about books? https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...329908d45f.jpg School. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b7c4177c6f.jpg Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...956073f49f.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6ff3bc6692.jpg Bear and child. Paula Zima. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...49da06ec7c.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8f97b06f8d.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...053279c0b8.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1b15a033ee.jpg Forgot to look at the plaque. |
Overall I quite enjoyed San Luis Obispo. It is very walkable and plenty of things to see and do. Unfortunately we didn't have much time. It did have the highest number of GF friendly eateries in a small area. My daughter was happy with the chicken tenders but I do regret not going to the Ethiopian place.
This morning we were up bright and early again. The Courtyard breakfast area was actually a Starbucks. My daughter wasn't hungry so she only had an iced macciatto. I chose a breakfast burrito which was tasty but it's mostly potato. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c5556e1e15.jpg I removed about half of them and tried to roll it all up again. |
We loaded up the stallion and drove north on highway 1. A pleasant drive with mostly two lanes. We were headed to San Simeon and Hearst Castle.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2f3e8e023e.jpg From here you get an armband and take a bus to the top. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ca3009d3f1.jpg Into the clouds. Once upstairs, you must stay with your assigned group. We had chosen the grand rooms tour and a very animated Kimberley was our guide. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ff9a0ecd7c.jpg Team Kimberley. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...128f4661b0.jpg Pool with genuine Roman columns. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...73a3444b57.jpg Beautiful gardens. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...49e918c5b7.jpg One of the three villas and the castle. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...eda938575f.jpg 3900 year old Egyptian votive display. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b62491029d.jpg 58 bedrooms apparently, but that's a different tour. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6d5dbed34a.jpg Dining hall. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...99eac5b7da.jpg Man cave. However, it is said that Randolph was happy for the ladies to join in for billiards. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5d3bb9f20c.jpg Single most expensive item. Fifteenth century tapestry. One hundred thousand of your 1938 dollars. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...414f56cd5d.jpg Fancy a dip? It was absolutely fascinating. As someone who has mostly viewed historical artefacts in their original location. (And no, I've never been to the British Museum.) I felt this was a patchwork. But I absolutely understood that Hearst was gathering things of beauty that he admired. The tapestries; wooden ceiling beams from Spanish monasteries; tables from the Italian renaissance; Egyptian, Greek and Roman columns and filigrees. And so many Christian symbolistic details - on the walls, the ceilings. I was on the one hand impressed, on the other, disappointed. |
On the way back down south we stopped at Morro Bay.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...32329a4085.jpg Actually I thought the rock looks better seen from the north side of the beach, but I turned off too late and parked at the wharf. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8f15eb2495.jpg Then we drove to Pismo because my daughter wanted to get some gifts for friends at Hot Topic. On the road down through Lompoc it was sunny so we put the top of the convertible down. Was fun for about 20 minutes before it became too chilly. Finally arriving in Santa Barbara, we are staying at the Avania Inn. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ea1a3a888c.jpg Not a bad room for the price. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c203db3e0c.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7bddd9951e.jpg Another Californian city, another dedicated gluten-free restaurant. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...150117ba89.jpg Very friendly guy taking orders. Everything is gluten free, as long as you order tacos. Choose a filling: maciza, asada, adobada, fajitas del pollo, vegetables, and plenty more. Our dishes were ready in seconds. |
Originally Posted by WiSK
(Post 37047715)
We were still a bit peckish, so checking FindMeGlutenFree app we visited Nacho Bizness.
I am enjoying this TR as it is a perfect combination of food photos and the rest 🙃 |
Really enjoying this thread, brings back some great memories of my own PCH wanderings!
Thanks for mentioning the GF dining app, sounds better than filtering on trip advisor which has been my go-to combined with checking the resto's website. I apologize for chiming in here since the question was a while ago in a different thread - how about wiskher for your wife and wiskette for your daughter as FT titles? |
I’ve fallen way behind on everyone else’s shenanigans this week! Great report, looks like you’re both having an amazing time! It’s breakfast time here and that bacon jalapeño from a few posts back has me seriously jealous and hungry
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As mentioned we were staying at the Avania Inn. There are many of these motel style places around the same area. In terms of location they are great: near the highway, near the ocean. I say that out of ignorance because I have no idea of downtown Santa Barbara.
In the morning there was complimentary breakfast. But only like 8 tables between all the guests. We had to sit in the lobby area. My daughter had the GF cereal and I had a modest (paper) plate. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...397b239a39.jpg At least the hot sauce made it palatable. Then we had a stroll to the beach. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cdc62020d1.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7393b94b8b.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4e30f100c4.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e351662602.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...027026fc21.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7877be66b3.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a97c20b69c.jpg More of these motel / inns. Then we passed a 7-eleven and I bought myself an Italian Sub for later. We checked out and it was sunny enough to put the top down. On this section it's quite tricky to follow the PCH as the 101 overlaps it in many places, yet the signage and the navigation apps aren't entirely helpful to stay on course. Eventually we got to Malibu county and stopped to see El Matador beach. We only went about halfway down because I'm old and unfit. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...96c34644da.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c9dcea9f6a.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...783f01cbec.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...db9b8427c0.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...18f0cbafaa.jpg The next issue was that the PCH is closed through the Palisades. We paused at Malibu Village mall for 20 minutes. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e0c7efc593.jpg What is this I can't even https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ba32782d7c.jpg Then a navigation mistake. Normally the PCH would bring us to Santa Monica in half an hour. I thought it would be nice to drive the Mulholland Highway. It's twisty and turny and reminds somewhat of northern Italy. However it meant our journey extended over two hours. As we joined the 101 it was somehow rush hour as six lanes of traffic slowed to a crawl. The 405 wasn't much better but finally we reached the Courtyard Santa Monica. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...bbf40518d4.jpg Terrible view of the courtyard. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b50812cd0f.jpg But clean and relatively modern. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...9b5202170d.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...970721aa01.jpg Now we're off to see the pier and find somewhere to eat. |
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f3be6a139d.jpg
The end of route 66. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ff355da38d.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d9628ca9c4.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7004b75e97.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...605e0708f9.jpg The Misfit bar and restaurant. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...99c0133d99.jpg Very yum hummus. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d1755c998c.jpg Chicken sandwich with toast. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...76ab81a065.jpg Smash burger with toast. Pickled cucumber was great. We arrived toward the end of happy hour, so there were plenty of jovial patrons in the bar area. Service was very understanding of coeliac requirements. Food was great even if the presentation wasn't. The recommended IPA was just the thing. On the way back we stopped in Ghirardelli's for a bag of chocolates. As we approached the hotel, we were almost involved in an RTC. Two lanes on both sides, with the outside lanes both on green but waiting to turn. Inside lanes seemingly empty. Normally in the US, you wait until your light is red to turn across traffic, but you are allowed to go earlier if you see no one is coming. On our side, a lady in a Tesla was in the otherwise empty inside lane, she had a green light, so absolutely justified in speeding past the waiting cars in the outside lane. On the other side, car waiting to turn didn't/couldn't see Tesla and started to turn. Tesla smashed right into them. Glad we didn't get hit, collision right next to us. Could have ended badly with all the pedestrians around. What surprised me was how quickly three police cars, a fire truck and an ambulance arrived. Seemed like no one was seriously injured thankfully. Now back at hotel. One more sleep before return journey starts. |
WiSK , if you're big on chocolate and have time before you have to turn the car in, try to make a stop at See's Candies. They have many California locations; there's one in Santa Monica:
https://chocolateshops.sees.com/ca/s...ca_1ca032.html The one closest to LAX is on La Cienega: https://chocolateshops.sees.com/ca/l...ca_1ca001.html Free samples at the See's full-service stores. :D (See's also has a kiosk in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, but the selection there will be more limited than what's on offer at the "regular" stores.) |
For future reference or for anyone fascinated by the Hearst Castle, it's worth knowing that just a couple of miles north of the Castle visitor center and parking lot, there's a very large elephant seal colony right off the highway. It can be a bit aromatic, but it's always an educational and entertaining experience.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...987805486a.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...384b7d8728.jpg |
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