New York 2.5.2015
Once in the United States we decided to explore a bit also the areas and cities on the West part of the USA. We rented a car for six days and drove from Los Angeles to San Diego, then up to Yucca Valley and Las Vegas, then back to the coast of California and drove the Pacific Highway to San Francisco.
Both of us only drive stardard cars but at the car rental they only had automatic cars. So we had to learn pretty quickly since no one came to show how it works. Happily it is really simple. We didn't book any accomodation beforehand and decided to stay in road motels when we find a nice one. In LA we bought a local prepaid number with unlimited data so we used our phone as navigator. Especially in cities it was vital. We also bought a road map and that was also useful because internet didn't work everywhere, for example in the desert.
Cities and sightseens
Already driving out from LA was an experience for us. Nine or more lanes all going the same direction and huge cars / suvs. It took about an hour to get out of the city. The trip to San Diego was only around two hours.
In San Diego we went to La Jolla to see sea lions amd pelicans and beautiful cliffs. We also drove to the Cabrillo National Monument where the Spanish landed first. The view was impressive and it continued all the way to Mexico.
The next day we drove to the Hoover Dam, Johannes' dam dream. He was so happy after this ex tempore road trip because he got to see this huge American attraction. I must admit also myself that it was quite impressive.
From the dam we drove to Las Vegas! What a place in the middle of nowhere. First we drove around the outer part of the city where we found also Paris, Venice and Rome. Later we met our friend Dave from Las Vegas who took us to the famous Fremont street. It was unbelievable. Only lights and screens and loud music with all kind of performers. All Michael Jackson, Elvis and nuns gathered on this unique street that is covered with large screens. At 8pm started a show on screen that that night was Bon Jovi's concert. It changes every day. This street never sleeps.
The day after we headed to Bakersfield where we met some friends. We saw another kind of US that is not exacly like tourists think about California. From there we drove to Ventura and through Santa Barbara. Both very nice looking cities. Santa Barbara was really fancy like from French Riviera. We stopped for longer time in Cambria, a little town off the coast. It was a really nice town that had old style little houses. We visited an antique shop that had three floors and was like a museum. Unfortunately nothing fit our backpacks.
We stayed night at Morro Bay that had a beautiful landscape. This time it was hard to find affordable accomodation because the US schools' springbreak had started! We didn't think about this so it slowed down a little our plans.
We drove up the Pacific Highway and stopped many times to look at the views. And to see elephant seals! The road itself was at first okay but after a while it became really steep and narrow. Monica was afraid of heights so we had to change drivers at half way. Otherwise the road was in good condition and driving was easy.
Our last overnight stop before San Fransisco was in San Jose. We did not maybe see the best sides of the city, because next to out motel were just big it-office buidings and only restaurants were McDonald's and Denny's (another American restaurant chain with really greasy food). We also passed Silicon valley area, which meant more and more office buildings. The most exciting moment was spotting the area of NASA, in other words there was not so much to see at least next to the highway.
Landscapes
Talking about what was beside the road, landscapes kept us entertained during driving. From LA to San Diego and still one hour out of San Diego towads Las Vegas it was really constructed, lots of traffic and huge roads. Still almost all the time there were lots of space around and able to see far.
The first evening we crossed San Jacinto mountains. One moment in the dark we wondered very long what is this city in the distance with only flashing lights. Then we realized it was hundreds of windmills which all winked their sign lights simultaneously.
The majority of our drive were straight American roads in the middle of deserts. Still it continued to change from really dry with cactuses to greener mountains. Especially when we got closer to Bakersfield it turned to lots of agriculture.
On the coast, from Ventura upwards it was full of wineries and beautiful green hills filled with fruit plantations. All the Pacific Coast Highway was stunning with its steep rocks and blue ocean. Once in a while the road continued off the shore and you could find yourself in the middle of a beautiful forest. Be aware that American National Parks cost.
We tried to avoid toll fees but ended up driving in some road which cost. Tolls are paid in internet and so we paid one but later we heard that the renting company covers all toll fees. Also the Golden Gate Bridge costs going North to South but not the other way.
