It seems always come up with good intro’s to these things either when I am in the shower or really late at night when I am in bed. And both at both times I never seem to have the forethought to write them down or record them in anyway (well I guess that wouldn’t be too appropriate in the shower would it? Just wouldn’t work).

I guess writing is something I love doing, but these days I seem to only ever write when I am going overseas or away somewhere and I don’t have any of those normal distractions.  I used to write all the time a few years back, I don’t know if it was because I had more time on my hands or that life was a little more simple sitting on the beach being a lifeguard, which allowed me to reflect more on who, what and how I am as a person. Writing to me is a way to find out more about yourself, but now days it seems I constantly have hundreds of different thoughts running through my head; projects, ideas, people.

This trip for me is an opportunity to take a little time away, recharge the creative batteries and just go an explore the world that I love so much. This time around I am sort of going off into the unknown, its not that I haven’t been to the US before, I have, many times. It’s just this trip has come out of opportunity. An opportunity to show my best mate a country that I love so much and one that has provided me with so many amazing memories, friendships and long lasting tales. But as it so often goes for people these days, work sinks its teeth deep into you and you go from being off on an incredible adventure with a best mate, to that mate being sucked back into the vortex of 9-5.

So, I am going it alone. And since I am alone, I am going with a slight change of plan. No longer will the trip be Vegas followed by NYC but instead I am going to take a drive from LA up the 101 and Highway 1 to San Francisco. A chance to explore the coast, the culture and of course everything summer.

Well here we are, on the big bird, a slightly delayed flight but that doesn’t really matter when you are flying business. All those years of travel watching on enviously as the people in business class got to lay down, eat nicer food and have their every wish granted, this was now going to be me. A real treat and fingers crossed I get to travel like this every time with Qantas.

Arrival in LA, on the road and into the car and I am off. No real plan, no accommodation, no destination other that San Fran in 3 days time. So off I went picking my way through the choked highways of LA to Santa Monica and then onto the 101 and my path north to San Francisco.

Follow the signs to Highway 1

Its not long before I am hanging for a swim and the opportunity to get some sand between my toes, first stop, Topanga Beach. With my camera, tripod and slider in hand I run into a guy by the name of Raul who was sitting very contently playing his guitar, singing along and pumping out some tunes on his harmonica. This relaxed chilled out hippy-like existence is something I was later to find out really permeates the whole of the Californian Central Coast. After chatting with Raul and watching a few lads get a couple of nice little right handers (what drew me to this beach in the first place) it was time to get back on the road. On the way back to the car I noticed something interesting, something from the culinary world mixing it in the coastal environment,  a bit like myself, but in reverse. I had found some wild fennel and it seems to grow all throughout LA and Central Cali. The think is, I haven’t seen it used in any food anywhere? Surely they could chuck some into one of the million taco varieties you see around these parts, how about a prawn, chorizo and fennel taco? Sounds alright to me..

Wild fennel on the beach in LA

Continuing north from fennel beach next stop was a place called Le Cavillo State Beach where it was time for a swim. The only thing was the water was 60 degrees (which is about 16-17 degrees C) so cold! Colder than Sydney water right about now.

Classic LA beach scene, trucks, boards and lifeguard towers… Le Cavillo State Beach

Santa Barbara took me by surprise. I hadn’t planned on staying in town but a cool vibe, an afternoon street market and the hour or more wait to get my phone worked out it was bound to be my place to stay for the night. Here are some of the reasons why:

Snack and beverage, Santa Barbara style…

Cali has a prolific Latina influence, so everywhere you go there is Mexican food and drinks and the amazing people that make these awesome dishes. Santa Barbara proved to have some good Mexican, I started off at more of a touristy place which was good but I was looking for some more authentic cuisine. I found it that evening a little place called Los Arroyos which was a bit more like a small BYO place in Australia, propper food, no fuss on the service and a huge selection of home made chili sauces and pickles.

Tacos for lunch..

Santa Barbara skate bowl…

The skate bowl seemed like the epicentre of the area, with no real surf around it seemed all the kids just flocked to this one spot.

Santa Barbara Market, lemon cucumbers…

Santa Barbara Markets had some real surprises…

Santa Barbara everything bagel with cream cheese, not the healthiest start to the day but it seems always difficult to find a proper little cafe where you can get good breakfast over here. Definitely don’t have that problem at home…

Road trppin’

Kitted out and ready to shoot… (video coming soon)

The Madonna Inn…

Madonna Inn cake house – Billy would be in heaven

Elephant Seals…

Bit close to the edge – Big Sur…

Big Sur just gets better…

Monterey Bay Aquarium…

Giant kelp…

Amazing jellyfish exhibit…

More jellyfish…