Buildings and pavements embellished with tasteful beiges and creams, casual greenery lining pristine sidewalks and dozens of interesting, decent shops and eateries, Santa Barbara could have very easily given LA the finger knowing thats they are that much more awesome, but its probably too cool to care

When we got there, the sun was shining, the birds were tweeting (like, not even metaphorically but really) and the streets were devoid of Japanese tourists.  For Breakfast, we ambled into Tupelo Junction cafe which came recommended to us.  At this point it really dawned on me that, holy cow, America ain’t as cheap as it used to be. My mind was still stuck was back in the Noughties, where my mighty pound overpowered the dollar by 2:1 – how the mighty had fallen. And how I flinched when I realised my breakfast would set me back $15 and that was before my tub of Virgin Mary (with souvenir Crab claw).

 In case you ever go, try the buttermilk biscuit – it’s effectively a big lump of scone but its freshly baked and pretty awesome – a good complement to the rest of the greasy goodness on your plate.

There doesnt seem much to ‘do’ as such in Santa Barbara – its just really quite lovely, with great restaurants, an eyepleasing horizon and a warm laidback vibe.

Hmm OK, I can’t actually think of much else to say about the place – we didn’t spend too long there but it was a refreshing and striking contrast to LA and its like, totally picturesque. My lasting memories will always be shades of beige and gold.  All good, all good.

Bottom line – I highly recommend that one should stop by, if one is passing through by that way. Sooo..

Our next stop was Monterey as a through-route to Santa Cruz, but we took a time out halfway to ogle at some seriously jaw-dropping scenary along the way.  I have no idea where these rollings hills were (Carmel valley? No? Ah whatever), but the view was stunning and the sunny skies never let up, so we stopped and marvelled just for a few minutes.

This seems like a convenient time as any to sign off this blog piece by speaking a few words about the car.  Yes yes, if you know me, you know I don’t drive, but it doesnt mean I can’t appreciate a good looking car (and a willing chaffeur – thanks Kieran!). 

We had both agreed that if cruising up the East Coast, looking like two suckers notwithstanding, you gotta do it in a convertible – and a convertible is what we got, in the form of a Black Eclipse Spyder.  It does sound like something that would kill you in the rainforest, but it was a nifty looking thing and we were uber pleased with it. Aside from the fact that it like, drove you places, the best bit was watching it do what I called ‘That Transformers Thing’ (methinks that is the technical term) when folding back the roof.

You can tell I don’t drive..