L.A.
I was glad it didn't take too long for me to get to L.A., just a couple of hours. I left San Diego early so I would still have enough time that day in L.A. I already made a plan of what was close to each other. First stop; the Hollywood sign! I first drove through Hollywood Blvd and caught a glimpse of The Walk of Fame, I would come back later so continued driving. My GPS send me through a long narrow uphill street with lots of twists and turns, all the way up the mountain with houses left and right. It was very excited, especially when I couldn't see around the corner or when another car came from the other side. The road was partially cracked and in bad shape too, so that added to the excitement. I kept getting a glimpse of the sign and was wondering where my GPS would send me to and where this spot was (I found it online). When I finally got there, it was a bigger road and open fields of grass and lots of tourists. I parked the car and there it was, The Hollywood sign! Pretty cool! So if you do go, 3000 Canyon Drive (and try to go up and/or down the way I did). I of course decided to go back the same way as I came up, haha. After one turn, I saw something on the street, it was a coyote!! But it jumped back the way it came and disappeared into the woods. I continued my way down and drove to The Original Farmers Market. No so much a farmers market anymore, but so much fun to have lunch and walk around. I ordered a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich and when I picked it up, it was a bigger portion than I expected it to be. I then saw an old lady walking to her seat with the same thing I had, her husband was already waiting and thought they were sharing, a much better idea. But then she told her husband that his was coming and it was the same order. No wonder some Americans get so fat. And that's exactly how I felt, full, fat. I walked so much that day and hardly ate anything else. I had some time left on my parking (first 90 min are free with a purchase) and walked outside. It felt like I walked right into NY, jazzy music, the streets filled with shops, flowers etc. I later learned that was called The Grove! Super cool place!
I went back to the hostel to check in and relax for an hour or so before heading out again. I left to go to The Walk of Fame. I found parking that was $2 for 2 hours if you get it validated at one of their shops and buy something (as low as you want). I started walking and was close to The Chinese Theater, this is where all the hand- and footprints are. I loved it and so did many others with me. I then started to walk The Walk (of Fame), the first bit was pretty cool, but after a couple of blocks, it got a bit boring. I thought to myself: they give everyone a star don't they?! I though it was something special, but it didn't seem that special anymore. I walked and walked and walked though until I had to go back to the car. Since it was almost sunset, I decided to drive to the Observatory, but it was so busy, I kind of only saw a bit on the way. I then drove up the road next to the observatory to see the skyline at night. On my way back down, I saw another coyote near a park which also quickly disappeared. I didn't know much about them, if they were wild or not and I did see a few people walking near the park, but I continued driving. I later read there were about 150 sightings last year and also a few attacks. I hope nothing happened that night ;).
On day two, it was a bit clouded but again, there was still some stuff I wanted to see so off I went. First up, Rodeo Drive. The most expensive shopping street in the world and that's all it was. Just a shopping street, and in it driving expensive cars (besides the tourist cars). I then attempted in checking out a few celebrity houses but soon gave up, cause ah well, didn't feel like it I guess. I continued to Venice beach, it was still a bit clouded on the drive. The beach/boardwalk had a nice vibe, but in the end, it's just another beach. I think it would have been nice to do a bike ride on the bike paths they have, but I only had an hour parking so I just walked around. I then drove to the Santa Monica Pier, again searching for parking, going around and around and around. FYI: parking is easy if you're willing to pay the price ;). I wasn't, because I would only be there for an hour or two. I found Short term parking, 2$ for 2hrs. The clouds had gone and made way for the beautiful sun. I walked through the amusement park and over the pier. It was fun, good vibe, music. There was a guy that I'd like to call birdman, he was sitting on a bench with pigeons ans a seagull. He made a gesture to the pigeons with his index finger and the would fly on to his hand or hat, everywhere really. I saw him feeding them small crumbs, I guess he trained them. Fun to see! I decided that was enough fun for that day. I was tired and didn't feel like driving around anymore, always having to look for parking. At least it was mostly free in San Diego. I went to the hostel and just relaxed in- and outside for the rest of the afternoon.
It's funny how every billboard, bus ad, other ads I saw was all about movies and shows. Mostly promoting Amazon and Netflix. And I noticed, they park EVERYWHERE in L.A. You have to be careful and read the signs, the exceptions. But they would for instance park next to a sidewalk, which is also a lane on that street and so you have to use another lane. Annoying at times.
L.A. to Santa Cruz, CD3, you're fired!
I looked up a few stops that morning that I wanted to see and saw that it was 5,5hrs in total to get to Santa Cruz. Very doable I thought. It was however another road than the one I took and so it took me about 10hrs to get there. I wanted to take the road that went along the coast, and I did (mostly), but that takes a bit longer. I had no wifi anywhere so I couldn't check. I only had my GPS, CD3 a.k.a. Chrystal Destiny 3. The 1st was my friends that I went to Vegas and GC with, long story. And so I named mine the same, first car was CD2 and the 2nd car, CD3. She drove me nuts on the way. Saying stuff too late, telling me to do u-turns where I couldn't. And so thank you for your service, but after tomorrow, I'm glad to say goooodbye! I made a few stops on the way, one of 30min and two of 5min. I had a few more planned but after traffic jams, road works, detours and then running in to a closed road, I was done. I still had 2,5hrs to go and didn't want to risk making it longer by doing another stop. I saw amazing views on the way though, super pretty! Some made me think of Asia, some of Australia, some of Florida, I thought, that is why I went. Beautiful nature, from the ocean to every kind of mountains to beautiful birds. I saw falcons, pelicans, small birds. Oh and also, not a bird, elephant seals playing! Not all the way though and the radio didn't always work...a lot of Mexican radio and religious songs or talks. I chose to listen to a bit about God rather than listen to something I didn't understand. And it actually kept me awake.
I was glad when I got to the Inn in Santa Cruz at 7:30pm, it's next to the boardwalk but open till 5 pm. So much for choosing this inn. However a huge comfy bed made up for it!
I slept like a baby! And went on my merry way pretty early again, wanted to do a bit of shopping and go to Muir Woods before returning my car. Buuuut after shopping and getting close to San Francisco, there was again SOOOO MUCH traffic, I was so done with getting stuck in traffic that I decided to directly go into San Francisco and wondered if there was anything left to do and there was! I wanted to drive down Lombard street, the crookedest street in the world! And so I did, I then returned the car and made my way to the airport. Because I didn't go to Muir Woods, I had sooo much time left. So I almost finished my licor 43 bottle from Mexico mixed with OJ and watched YouTube videos.
And after an hour/hour and a half delay, I safely landed in Dusseldorf! And am now back home, my home sweet home! I did a load of laundry and unpacked. Almost like it never happened, but luckily I have the pictures to prove it :)!
Over & out,
T.
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