Lo siento to all you LA fans whose bubble I’m about to burst. 

Our first stop was Newport Beach, and the bad LA vibe was quick to set in. The sand was a yellow mustard color, and the boardwalk was filled with repetitive tourism junk – not exactly a unique feel. 

While the water was warm, there were so many parking lots that ran right up to the beach, A and I decided it wasn’t going to be the best spot to enjoy the scenery. We loaded back into the truck, and decided to check out downtown LA, putting the beach on hold until north of the city.

Unfortunately for us, LA wasn’t so pretty either. In fact, it’s rather ugly. As we drove throughout the town and its surrounding suburbs, endless decay, construction and pollution filled the view. Even as we headed down Sunset strip and passed by the Hollywood sign, it was pretty disappointing. Postcards must honestly take their pictures elsewhere or do a damn good Photoshop job. 

All and all, I didn’t really want to get out and do any further exploring.  Similar to the rest of the major towns we’ve passed through, LA seems to be built on ultra consumerism and wealth, which doesn’t add to its beauty.

We quickly headed north, and California was quick to redeem itself. The stretch of coast along the mostly untouched highway # 1, between Santa Barbara and San Fran, is breathtaking. So we took the afternoon at a leisurely pace, weaving in and out of golden wheat fields and the cliff-lined coast. The drive proved the “So Cal” stereotype doesn’t permeate all areas– I even decided that I could consider living somewhere along the coast of the Pacific Ocean.

In Ventura, we stopped for a great BBQ chicken pizza and a quick oil change. Later on we stopped outside the Hearst mansion. Unfortunately, the tours had finished from the day, but even from half mile away, you could tell the house was spectacular.

Our last stop for the evening was to see a giant pack of elephant seals – quite the sight to behold. We both agreed they looked like giant slugs that snort and burp and fight with each other. They certainly don’t move with grace (at least outside the water) and they smell something awful, and yet you cant help but be amused by them and laugh at their ridiculous antics.

As we now have finished watching the sunset on our last leg of the drive, it was fun to realize we had traveled from coast to coast, and did it in a way we were proud of – back roads, real people, and honest times. And to think – we still have to get back to Colorado.