Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo

Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo



I'm going to try something new with my formatting. I don't know any HTML or how the internet really works, so I'm using whatever free HTML software myspace.com gives me.

The drive from LA to San Luis Obispo (SLO) was about 200 miles and took us about 3 hours. Thanks to our friends at google maps, I have a graphic for you to see.

After a great time in LA, it was time to head up the coast. We packed up our stuff (how do we have so much stuff?) and picked up Gavin's Honda that we had shipped to Long Beach and then headed north to meet Hilary for lunch at Disney.

I love corporate cafeterias. My favorite used to be Microsoft's because you could have a freshly grilled fillet of salmon over your salad, but at Disney, they make these great pizzas that you hold (it's hard to explain).


Gav, Hilary and a Mickey Mouse (I LOVE topiary!)

After Disney, we jumped on HWY 101 and started our way up the coast. We drove through Santa Barbra as we listened to Jack Johnson (UCSB Alum). The drive up 101 was beautiful and it was nice to get out of the city to where the air was a bit cleaner. Past Santa Barbara, we started seeing parts of the Central Coast's wine producing areas. I couldn't stop thinking of Sandra Oh in "Sideways." (Gav refuses to drink Merlot to this day.)

Once we reached SLO, we checked into our $60 two bedroom suite at the Ramada Inn (thank you Priceline.com!) and hit the town for some grub. We ended up getting some finger-lickin-good ribs at Mo's Smokehouse (102 Cross St Ste 120, San Luis Obispo, CA).

Later that night, we ended up at SLO's only Gay Night at a bar called Tortilla Flats. The locals were friendly and filled with young gay students from Cal Poly (young activist gays and lesbians), but there were a few nice young boys who were kind enough to ask if we were currently enrolled at "Poly". So sweet.




Let's just say that Gav does most of the driving.


Central Coast wine country.


Gav working downtown SLO

Day 16 & 17: Hollywood and Disneyland

It's been about 2 and a half weeks since Gavin and I left Hawaii and although we miss our friends dearly, we're having the time of our lives. We've managed to stay under the "suggested daily budget" and spending less than we anticipated. Gavin has come up with a strategy that he has named "Creating Value." This occurs when we opt for choice that is either free or cheaper than what would usually be our first choice. For example, we went to Disneyland, but we made our own lunch at home and kept it in our cooler in the trunk of the car. Another example would be sticking to the drink special at a bar instead of ordering what we would usually order (Sapphire & soda for Gav or a micro/cratft beer on draft for me.) Creating Value is what is going to allow us to visit countless cities and travel to foreign countries.


In search of the perfect "LA Meal," we went to Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles in Hollywood.


If you're not familiar with "Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles," you're probably trying to figure out what exactly the appeal is, right? Well, belive me, you have to try this. We ordered a 1/2 chicken fried Southern Style and 2 waffels. We also ordered a side of mac-n-cheese, which was so delicious. Roscoe's also serves up an awesome omelette and other dishes that are not for the health-conscious!


After the gut-bomb, we decided to walk it off by strolling along Hollywood Blvd and seeing the many stars that line the sidewalk. Did you know Liberace was Gay?


Gav in front of the famous Mann's - Grauman's Chinese Theatre.


Gavin "getting the axe" in front of Joan Crawford's little piece of history.


No trip to Hollywood wouldn't be complete without getting an audit from the Scientologists!


It was a rather clear day in LA, so we could see the famous Hollywood Sign.


Gav on the phone in front of an American Apparel Store.


Gav's friend Hilary hooked us up with some sweet passes for Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure Park. Now that's what I call, "Creating Value"!


Here's a pic of the Thunder Mountain Ride. I took this minutes before we went to stand in line for the ride. We waited for about 20 minutes and then the ride stopped and one of the attendant's jumped on the speaker and announced that the ride was not working and instructed all of us to turn around and walk out. It sucked.


Disney's California Adventure Park was a real treat. Although it is a bit smaller than Disneyland, the rides and attractions were a real treat. If you've been to Disneyland before, I recommend checking out the California Adventure Park. The rides were a lot of fun and it's an experience that really makes you feel like you're in a different world.


My personal favorite was the Tower of Terror. A must-do!


Gavin in the Muppet 3-D movie.


On our last night in town, we ate at Dolce. It's one of the restaurants that's owned by Ashton Kutcher and his buddies. It was delish!

The City of Angels

Last week, Gavin and I packed all of our Earthly belongings into our rented Chevy Malibu and drove north to Los Angeles for the second leg of our journey. We drove north through Encinitas, Oceanside, San Juan Capistrano, The OC and then into Los Angeles. It was difficult to tell exactly where "San Diego" ended and "LA" began due to the huge amount of urban sprawl and development between the cities.

It's been awhile since I've been to Los Angeles and each time I've been here, I've had a different experience and the last week has been no different. Gavin and I have had the time of our lives exploring the different cities and neighborhoods that make up Southern California. With a kick-ass map book (thank you Donn!) and a desire to explore, we've seen as much as humanly possible in 7 days. Here are a few pics taken from Azusa to Westwood and Pasedena to West Hollywood and everywhere else in between!


I-5 North heading out of San Diego towards LA.


Our trusty map book.




UCLA campus in Westwood.


After a beer at Mahoney's, the bar where Alicia and Noah met (I'm guessing she saw him, walked over and attacked!), Gav and I explored Westwood.


US Bank building in Downtown LA. (Made famous in the movie Independance Day.)


Oh... West Hollywood businesses. Gotta love um!


LA Traffic. Sheesh.


Michi met us in Pasadena for yummy Indian food and a great dessert!


Gav and I had 3 hours to rush through the Getty. We could have easily spent an entire day there and I recommend the Getty to anyone who visits Los Angeles. Simply Amazing! (Parking is $7 and admission is FREE! Don't try to visit on the weekends, since it's almost impossible due to the sheer number of people who want to do the same.)


One of the Getty's many spectacular gardens.


On Saturday, Michi took us to have Taiwanese dumplings in Arcadia. They were amazing and I had a food-gasm!


These dumplings were like little clouds of goodness. (Rich S, this pic is for you.)


Gav looking hot near Venice Beach. (Thanks Cara for letting us crash at your house!)


The water looked cold!


Not quite as picturesque as the beaches in Hawaii, but Venice Beach sure has character...


... or is it chracters?


More of the sights.


The outdoor gym at Venice Beach wasn't quite what we expected, but it was definitely full of freaks!


LA beachfront architecture.

San Diego - Balboa Park

San Diego is home to Balboa Park which is the second largest city park in the nation. It's a beautiful gem in the middle of a great city that hosts over 85 Performing Arts and International Culture Organizations, 15 Museums, The San Diego Zoo and much more. Gavin and I spent Tuesday exploring the park and enjoying the park's "Free Tuesdays," which offers free admission to select museums. For a complete listing, check out the park's website .

Since we were there on the second Tuesday of the month, we got to see the Museum of Photographic Art or MoPa, which was absolutely fabulous. If you're in the area, I highly suggest that you check it out. You will not be dissappointed!











Gavin and I fell in love with George's inversion table. Here's Gavin, acting down-right batty!

San Diego, La Jolla, Coronado & The Padres!

Today, Gavin and I left San Diego. We picked up our rental car from Alamo and headed north to Los Angeles. We'll be in the LA area for about a week, when we pick up Gavin's car from the Port of Long Beach and drive up to San Francisco.

I really enjoyed my first trip to San Diego. The weather was great and for a city it's size (about 1 million), it had a great small town feel and each neighborhood had a diferent character.

George, our gracious host, took us to see a few of the different parts of the city on the weekend. We visited La Jolla, University Heights, Coronado Island, The Gaslamp and caught a Padre's Game at Petco Park.

San Diego was a great place to kick off our travels and I have to admit that I was sad to leave such a great city.


At the waterfront.

Since we didn't have a car everyday, we explored San Diego by using it's mass transit (how un-Southern California, I know!)


Gavin in front of the USS Midway.


Old Town, the birthplace of California.


Yummmm... beer!


Sporting my short haircut in Hillcrest.


Pelicans in La Jolla.


Gavin tried to figure out how steps could be "Out of Order".


Harbor Seals and California Sealions in La Jolla.


George and me at Petco Park.


39,000 fans watched the Padres beat the Cubbies.


Gavin enjoying Cracker Jack at his first Major League Baseball Game.


The drive out to Coronado Island was beautiful.


San Diego's skyline.


Gav and George in front of the Hotel Del Coronado (Where "Some Like It Hot" was filmed.)