Traffic

Today we would be driving from Santa Barbara to San Diego, just skirting LA on the way. We breakfasted in the Hotel Milos lovely bistro overlooking the beach, and it was warm! 73 at 9am. Yay! The dresses, shorts and sun hat all made and appearance, and because we didn't need to check out till 12 we had a stroll. We walked along the beach dipping our toes, Ian even lost the shirt. Then along sterns wharf (here piers are called wharfs) to look at the little shops. 

We really liked Santa Barbara, it was so quaint and peaceful. We checked out then visited the courthouse where you could just wander around and climb the tower to see a panoramic view. 

Leaving good old Santa Barbara we headed south on 1 towards LA. We had identified a beach as a stop off, but it became more and more difficult to park, and the road got busier and busier. We came through Malibu and did some big house spotting, then Santa Monica, where we had a toilet stop in a portaloo by the side of the road. Then we hit the highway to hell. I405. It had 8 lanes of traffic moving at 15-20 mph, if at all. Everyone wanted to change lanes, people were shooting across from one side to the other. And there was nothing to see. Eventually we took an exit and stopped at a highway Taco Bell, our meal of the day. It was cheap, $12.58. Then we went next door to Starbucks before driving through one of LAs less salubrious districts to hit the coast road again. We were still going slowish due to constant traffic lights, but it was pretty. Around 8.15 we stopped for the loo again in Laguna beach, just in time for sunset. And wow, it made everything else worthwhile. 

Photos don't do it justice really. Also, we noticed that the tramps in Laguna beach are a cut above the tramps in San Francisco, with lots more possessions. 

We finally arrived in San Diego around 9.30pm, after a horrendous drive. A quick shower and bed was all we had time for. 

Hotel watch

I had booked the porta vista through the telegraph website with the proviso that we pay $20 for Vicky when we got there, but when I mentioned this the receptionist waved the fee.  The room was quite big, no robes, no slippers, but a coffee machine and little kitchette. When we went down for breakfast we only had two vouchers, we offered to pay but the waitress waved the fee! The breakfast room also had a  lovely outside bar. 

For great customer service all round 8/10

song for the day

The road to hell - Chris Rea