Eating our way down the California coast

A bit of a delay over here, but we're in the thick of SoCal and, in an attempt to blend in, are taking it slow.

But of course, not slow enough. We've seen the whole state in a matter of days. It is big, beautiful, foggy, hot and perfect - not all in that order.

How do you see a city like San Francisco when you have only one day? Extreme sightseeing.

Strap on your fanny packs, buckle those cameras onto your belt, tie a sweatshirt around your neck and head to Fisherman's Wharf. SF's answer to Times Square. It is seething with tourists and we blended in nicely, buying two tickets to the gray line San Francisco trolley tour. Yes, a trolley tour. Two and a half hours of sight-seeing bliss with Richard, our guide. It was great, it was lazy, it was freezing. We saw all the major sights: Presidio, the Golden Gate, all the beautiful houses and multiple neighborhoods.

Fresh off of the trolley and nearly locals we headed to North Beach for some authentic (read: massive) Italian subs. Still chewing the nub of crust from the sandwich we moved right into City Lights Books to see what all the fuss was about. Across the street we had some bubbly at Vesuvio and were bouncing out and into the China Town district just as soon as you could say Alan Ginsberg. Moving on to the Mission district we stopped into Petez Coffee for a personalized cuppa joe and then stepped into this delightful shop owned by former Brooklynites Derek & Lauren called The Curiosity Shoppe (check it out). Dinner was delicous at Ramblas - small plates, strong sangria and crazy good fresh-fried churros and warm chocolate dipping sauce (drool).

Quick to bed and early to rise R and I were back on the road heading down the long, windy and fog-stricken Route 1. Destination: Big Sur Bakery. Late brunch on a Saturday morning, but well worth the slightly nauseating trip - avocado and bacon omelet, white and black bean soup and a chocolate chip cookie that would make you weak in the knees.

Back on the 1 for some digestive scenery. I want to romanticize it, but honestly said picturesque-ness could not have moved along fast enough. Hours passed and we were still hanging on for dear life over death-defying cliffs with indifferent guard rails. I couldn't have been happier to see the highway - sweet, plain, speedy highway.

I won't go into the details of the later half of our trip down the coast of California but let me say this - it takes WAY longer than you think. Besides a quick and heavenly stop in Santa Barbara for some of the most authentic and awesome street Mexican food and a Jared Leto sighting (yes! Thankfully looking much more like Jordan Catalano than the weirdo in the band he thinks he's fronting) I don't think R or I would have made it down without ripping each others heads off.

Needless to say we were deliriously pleased to land at the wonderful home of my Aunt and Uncle who showed us a fantastically relaxing time in this low key, laid back place called San Clemente. The pace is much slower and I can dig. Today we spent a splendid day at the beach and just consumed a restaurant-worthy meal of California fare. Fabulous. I'm stuffed.

Tonight it's early to bed but not so quick to rise (we're still in S. Cali, after all). Tomorrow we will catch a few rays to hopefully even out my 'tan' and then head back 'round again. Back east via Las Vegas (among others) - I look forward to some desert kitch, good food, photo opps, fake Elvises and maybe, just maybe, a little bit 'o luck at the tables. And by tables I mean slots, and by slots I mean the keep-sake penny machines - you know the one where you drop a penny in and it comes out flattened and imprinted with the Eiffel tower/Brooklyn Bridge/Mount Rushmore on it? What can I say, I can't break the habit.

To close: an enviable photo of the San Clemente pier at sunset


TTFN
~L & R