Santa Barbara – much better than the TV show

After a couple of days in LA to see Hollywood, we headed by via train to Santa Barbara. It’s a beautiful trip that follows right alongside the coast for much of the journey.

I really didn’t know what to expect in Santa Barbara – my only previous experience being the TV soap which I watched for 5 years during high school. It’s a beautiful seaside town – quite small – which great weather, very little rain and importantly plenty of nearby wineries.

Lobster for dinner on Friday night at a local seaside eatery (amazing!) and then on Saturday, our friends Brian and Sarah (who were amazing hosts!) too us wine tasting in the Santa Ynez Valley (ie. where Sideways” was filmed). Beautiful weather and the wines were fantstic – we visited Gainey, Rusack and Sunstone.

On SUnday we were back in Santa Barbara for Brian’s birthday BBQ – at his parents amazing house overlooking the coast. The perfect way to spend a Sunday really!

Food of the Day- Cookie dough flavoured vodka
Quote of the day: (woman talking about what she can do if she lived in Mexico) “You can do volunteer work and that kind of thing – but I’m a CAPITALIST – and I need to make money!!”

On Monday, I relived a memory from 1982 (when I last went) and visited Universal Studios! It’s been upgraded a fair bit since my last visit, and was fantastic. Highlights included the new Transformers ride (best I’ve been on), The Simpsons ride, The Mummy ride, Jurassic Park ride, of course the Studio Tour, and the live Waterworld show was the best of those I’ve seen too.

We then checked into our lovel bed and breakfast (The Garden – recommended!) and spend a few more days exploring LA.

Food of the Day – Mac and Cheese, Spinach Breakfast Burrito

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Hollywood

Day 2. Hollywood. Breakfast Bagel. Hollywood tour of the sites, including the houses of Julia Roberts, Michael Jackson (where we died), Laurence Fishburne, Jason Statham, Guy Ritchie, Tom Cruise etc. Iconic music venes- the Whisky A Go-Go, The Roxy, the House of Blues, the Devo House, the house where the Doors recorded LA woman. Burritos and Sushi! 24 hour pharmacy/liquor store for dessert.

An amazing photo of Tom Cruise’s house. Well, his gate.

Day 3: Took the metro to Union Station – an amazing art-deco building used in many films. Checked into our train to Santa Barbara and took off for a brief 2 hour walk down-town. Very quiet – hardly any people. Went past some nice old buildings, including the Police Building d City Hall – both massive and intimidating, which seems odd for a country that is into small government.

Lunch at a great Japanese place and then back to Union station for the 3pm train. Which is delayed and leaves at 5.40pm. When we get on it thought the train is fantastic – heaps of legroom – free wireless and a good cafe. The Pacific Sunliner travels all up the Californian Coast from San Diego and has some amazing views right alongside the beach. We arrive in Santa Barbara – meet my friend Brian and head for an amazing meal of lobster (only $30!) on the beach!

Quote of the Day:
Policewoman to boy skating down a railing near Union Station
“You can’t skate here”
“Sorry, I was just trying to shred the rail. My bad.”