California Dreamin'

Amazing what a change of weather and scenery does for the heart andsoul. I've swapped the drab, rainy skies of England in winter for the sunshine and warmth of Southern California - and everyone is smiling. My base since arriving two days ago has been the beautiful city of Santa Barbara, somewhere I had frequently bypassed while on one of my many trips to the Golden Gate State but never had the time to actually stop off and visit. I didn't realise what I had been missing.

Having enjoyed a very relaxing British Airways jumbo jet flight (facing backwards!) to LAX - as Los Angeles Airport is known - I had hoped to take a leisurely drive up the Pacific Coast Highway once I picked up my rental car. But LAX was a human zoo which took over 90 minutes to get through, with endless lines to go through both immigration and customs. At least the border control officers seem to be less efficious these days, even if they still don't make you feel exactly welcome.

Then less than four miles after setting off in my orange Dollar rental Jeep I hit one of LA's never-ending freeway jams. I must have sat for the equivalent of many days in those. 

But at least I had my California Driving playlist blasting out on my iPod, and the dusk sky turned brilliant shades of pink and orange as I drove north. 

My accommodation - a delightful B&B called the Cheshire Cat, owned by an English lady and her American partner - is so close to the city centre I could walk to dinner. Which I have done now on both nights.

Sadly, it is time to leave and head for Pasadena, where I will be staying for the next four nights.

Before I leave I will do some sightseeing in some of the wineries of this area. Having sampled their produce over the past two days it would be rude not to.

Yesterday I visited some absolute delights, from the historic Mission Santa Barbara and Presidio to the ornate Courthouse - the view from the roof lookout is amazing.

I had a great clam chowder lunch overlooking the harbour in Brophy's seafood restaurant and had dinner with a latin flavour at Cafe Buenos Aires after a quick beer in Hobnob, co-owned by A-lister Kevin Costner until last year.

I took loads of photos of the ocean and beach, including a wonderful sunset with Santa Barbara as the backdrop. And I have met some great people.

The one thing I have noticed here is all the girls wearing skimpy outfits - and huge Ugg boots. Only in California. Apparently the US HQ is nearby, and there is an outlet store enroute to Pasadena.

My daughters wouldn't forgive me if I drove by without stopping...

Postscript: Sorry girls - I went to the Amarillo outlets mall and found the Ugg store, but their idea of "bargains" were in the $139-$179 range. Much as I love you both, even love has its limits.