San Francisco - San Diego - Scottdale - Sedona

23 October 2011 Travel time: with 06 October 2011 on 18 October 2011
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San Francisco - Sedona.

I travel to the USA 4 years in a row, the last 2 I live near San Francisco. Of course, I have been to Los Angeles, Vegas, and Salt Lake City, many times I have been to Monterey and Pebble Beach, etc. But somehow I always wanted to take a car ride along the west coast, visit small towns where you don’t go on purpose. It remained to choose the final goal. I chose the Grand Canyon Village.


Now, any information is available on the net, so this story is more about the impressions received from the trip. So, the route has been studied, a powerful 4.4 liter BMW engine purrs under the hood, rejoicing at the upcoming walk. October 1st. It rained decently, rare for this time and place, but after 40 minutes the weather came to its senses and the sun shone. You can drive along the 5th and 101 highways. the strip road quickly became boring, and we turned onto the 41st, connecting with 101. Mile 40, the road winded through the mountains, the views are beautiful, but the speed... We decided to have a bite to eat in the first large city - San Luis Obispo. And we made a mistake.

By the way, about nutrition. “I was made in the USSR” and as a person not spoiled by domestic catering, I can eat almost everything and almost everywhere. But we are also changing, and the expression “looking” has firmly entered my life. the fact that there is no food here, it is unacceptable for a Russian. This is partly true. Francisco or Los Angeles. Good, often one of the best. Delicious, damn it. And, as a rule, in establishments with a view, they cook tastier. However, this is natural. More visitors, you can hire a better chef...

The restaurant assured that they had New Orleans cuisine. I got a steak, poured with sauce, without a side dish, which is not typical. In general, fill my stomach. After 10 minutes, a magnificent view of the ocean opened up, the sun shone brightly, palm trees swayed. Pismo Beach .

Santa Barbara met with a fresh breeze and a festive mood. The city did not particularly stand out from other similar coastal settlements. State has expensive shops, cafes, cozy benches under palm trees along the street. cold. The ocean is cool, but it was quiet, making it possible to walk on the water. Very pleasant, romantic, the sky was painted with different colors. It was decided to go along the ocean, but the sun somehow quickly set over the horizon. Ventura has already turned on its lights. We chose the Best Western Plus hotel with windows overlooking the ocean. Free Wi-Fi Internet in the room, a reasonable breakfast on the terrace by the highway. Of the minuses, there is a railway under the windows and a noisy highway. For $ 110 you can find something then better.


The closer to Angeles, the prettier the landscape. Around the mountains, ups and downs. Along the way, the town of 1000 oaks, where many Hollywood and sports stars grew up and lived. A lot of reviews have been written about Los Angeles, I also shared my impressions about 1.5 years ago. Behind it, again, beautiful mountain views and our next goal is Palm Springs. Almost all US presidents lived or visited here, rented a villa of Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra threw parties. This is the date capital, the famous Date shake milkshake, the largest in the world's most revolving air tram, the most beautiful airport, etc. Of course, we climbed San Jacinto. drink coffee. It’s better to have a whole day to enjoy the fresh air, admire the vastness for hundreds of miles, have a picnic. An American with a tent went up with us. I didn’t feel like going down. Very beautiful, soothing. Yes, the three of us traveled - my daughter and grandson, less than two years old. I had to constantly control him. The town itself made me happy. A lot of greenery, one-story beautiful houses. Something reminded me of Pyatigorsk, the cable car to Mount Mashuk. And then we guessed it. Billy Reed's restaurant. Excellent California wine, very tasty salmon, hot buns, and a huge portion of the famous cocktail with fine ice. It was Friday, 25% discount, and dancing for 5 extra dollars. for two people + baby milk and something else. I don’t know if it’s boring to live in such a city in the middle of the desert, but it’s worth a visit. Frank’s villa is now on sale for 4.5 million euros.

Before Phoenix, there were no more beautiful places and we arrived in the capital of Arizona. A huge city with wide streets. Booked here at TownePlace Suites for 5 nights. 3 rooms, 3 flat large televisions, a kitchen with everything you need. For those traveling with children, a good and inexpensive choice. Near an amusement park and slides. Quiet. There are no breakfasts as such. But they rely on eggs, coffee, jams, croissants. can. Clearly, without a car - nothing in such an anthill. Scottdale was a district, but now it is a city, also big and spacious, more elite than the capital. Our relatives have a house in Pinnacle Peak Place, the most prestigious area. North of the city, between the mountains. Fresher air, absolute silence. Golf courses. During the day, of course, hot, despite October. Not the slightest breath of wind, but beautiful in its own way. Cacti and shrubs, well, and palm trees - where without them. In the evening, the golden time comes, coolness appears. From the yard, far below, a blazing Phoenix is ​ ​ visible. There are many places to eat in a big city. I was in an Indian restaurant, in the center - I didn’t like it; in Persian, for lovers of a variety of kebabs, not bad; in Thai - so-so, with the exception of shrimp in batter and a beautiful location. I liked the Hyatt Regensy Resort at 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road. If you have a honeymoon and $400 starting a night, you can’t find a better place. Located in an amazing location, marble, service, silence. The choice of dishes in the restaurant is up to 20. But the main thing is in the open air, between palm trees and stars. A fire crackles in the fireplace at your feet, artificial streams murmur, nearby chefs silently cook for you. And no walls! . I chose Baby ribs for $26 - 3 huge pieces of tender ribs drizzled with sweet-sour-spicy sauce and laid out on corn leaves, the head of which served as a side dish. Instead of bread, oblong miniature slightly sweet muffins. Despite the wine, I mastered only 2 pieces. Incredibly tasty, although a little spicy. I tried the sea bass at my daughter's - excellent! And it's very romantic all around. In the lobby of the hotel there is a boutique with delicious Italian ice cream. Hyatt reminded me of the New Delhi Oberoi, where, though already behind glass, chefs work, and in the marble toilet after each of your manipulations, either a black man or a Chinese serves hot towels...

From Scottdale to the Canyon - 4 hours drive. On the way, take a look at the castle of Monteszuma, and of course turn into Sedona. Very beautiful. Hotels of all brands, including Hyatt, a lot of cafes and restaurants. In the information center we were offered somewhere to sleep for $ 40. Jeep tours from 50 to 100d per person. For 1.5 hours we went to different corners, admired orange-red mountains. Actually, it’s cool to turn the steering wheel to the music of “country” in places where the Indians once rode, caught mustangs, fought, built wigwams. And we read books about their exploits to holes. We bought souvenirs in an Indian village. The main products offered by the Indians are made of silver, bird feathers. Pendant from 50 dollars. Tomahawk-40. Various amulets. Many restaurants opened their doors, teasing smells and promising delicious food. We chose “Shugrue's Hillside Grill “ 671 Arizona 179 because of the great view of the mountains, and guessed it again. Just great salmon, with mashed potatoes, etc. this paradise, take a look here. Very tasty, and quite a well-known institution, as it turned out later. Whether we like it or not, food occupies a rather significant place in our lives, sometimes a decisive one. It affects our mood, assessments of events, events, etc. A good dinner nicely complements a wonderful day, especially when traveling. From the local hotels - Best Western Plus with windows to the mountains - not an expensive choice.

Sadly, we didn’t get to the Canyon, some 2 hours. The beautiful Sedona was finishing its advance into the depths of Arizona. Course - San Diego, the best city Sadly for life in America, one of the most beautiful in the opinion of many, including Russians. We decided to go along the 8th, and not the 10th highway. Stop at Dateland for a break! In a roadside shop you can have a snack, buy souvenirs, and also drink a date shake "date shake". Nearby, a huge palm grove. Beautiful - in the middle of the desert, a green oasis. . Soon a dune strip begins behind Yuma. Beautiful landscapes. on a buggy on the sands. A great place for a photo. And the border control begins. The road goes along the Mexican border. It is better not to have problems with expired documents. There are -4 or 5 such posts to San Diego. Climb up to 4000 feet. Numerous Indian reservations are located here. Control again. Charming towns along the way, green, with blue lakes. Around only mountains and blue skies. A fairy tale! And imperceptibly we are at the goal. I chose La Jolla, either the city or the region. Hotel “Traveloge La Jolla Beach”, 3 minutes walk to the ocean, normal internet in the room, breakfast is poor, the atmosphere is elementary, cheap. If the goal is the ocean, then it will do. , good waves. Eat delicious, you need to drive for 10 minutes, but if you are a fan of Mexican and Chinese cuisine, then nearby. In Chinese, huge portions, most of us left... A lot of entertainment. Sea world, of course. 45 dollars), cable car, walrus aquariums, etc. We were there all day. In San Diego - the Gaslamp District, Balboa Park. There are a lot of restaurants on 5th Avenue, but the prices... I only saw such restaurants in cool Las Vegas restaurants. It’s not worth spending money. Especially since there is paradise nearby. Coronado Island. The famous hotel of the same name, where they shot the sensational film “Only Girls in Jazz” with M. Monroe. or listen to the cries of seagulls, or dream by the fireplace. Very wide beach. Inside ri of the hotel is pompous, but a little worn out. It is from 1888.


If you are with children and love nature, I recommend “Brockton Villa” restaurant at 1235 Coast Blvd. in La Jolla. Beautiful view, very tasty food. Awesome fish. Cries of fur seals that sort things out sitting on the rocks and with whom you can swim. A colony of birds nesting nearby and a wonderful sunset. You will be satisfied. We spent three nights in La Jolla , very little. Yes, there is also an interesting hotel “Crystal Pier”. A wooden flooring that goes into the ocean, on both sides of which there are individual houses, each has a veranda above the ocean, where a table and chairs are located. The surf makes noise underfoot. beaches and shops. Stunned! But not with small children, it seems to me. There is a rare fence on the veranda, dangerous, but beautiful and unusual.

Good by La Jolla, a really great place to live. A lot of greenery, the ocean, mountains nearby, constant warm weather, friendly people drinking coffee on their balconies... Soon Los Angeles. You can turn off the highway and in 10 minutes have breakfast in the city center. We decided to stop in Santa Clarita, in Valencia. Another discovery. A beautiful town between mountains, many parks, lakes. Smiling, happy people. By the way, it was intuitively felt. It was Saturday, all the cafes were crowded, walking people, warm sun and blue sky. A long queue for the iPhone 4S. Yes, I lost my iPhone in Ventura, I think I forgot it in a nondescript Mexican restaurant , after a few glasses of wine. We stopped in the morning, but the other shift just shrugged. . . There are mountains around Santa Clarita, beautiful green gorges. We had a bite to eat at the New York bias restaurant “Dinks” at 24201 Valensia Blvd. Not expensive, and quite acceptable. The city has many establishments for children, various trains, etc. Not bad coffee and delicious pastries, which is rare. A little promoted and well-known town, but maybe it’s better for its residents, it’s so calm for them. Angeles is 35 miles away, hurry up everyone there! I advise you to look here and enjoy the comfort, silence and landscapes.

Starting from Silicon Valley and up to San Francisco, I have already been to almost all cities. Therefore, the remaining segment of the journey was made without stops. Summing up the 2-week trip, I note that there was still not enough time, I would like to live in each city for a day or two. A little tiring, but definitely better than stupidly lying on the beach. You can drive with a child under 2 years old, but not more than 500 miles a day. I used my Ipad2 instead of a TV, it helps a lot on the road. out of the plan, well, there will be a reason to go again.

Translated automatically from Russian. View original
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Пляж Санта Барбары.Садится солнце.
Набережная Санта Барбары на закате.
Палм Спрингс.Реклама Канатной дороги
Гора Сан Хасинто.Вид на Палм Спрингс с высоты 2600м.
Вот такие красивые горы в Седоне.
Очень красивый отель,с хорошей кухней.
Оазис в пустыне.
Пляж возле отеля.
Си Ворлд.
Отель в Ла Хойе,в океане.
Такие вот уютные улочки в этом городе.
По городу ходит поезд.
Здесь снимали
Можно с ними поплавать.
На закате.
Радуга,без дождя в Санта Барбаре.
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