California Day 7 – Long drive to Santa Barbara
Today was mostly a transit day. The Big Sur road closures meant we had to take an inland route to the south. Google Maps helped cut off Some time from the journey but it was still a good few hours.
Called in at Safeway as we left Monterey. Was a great reminder of how fertile California is – the fruit and veg was amazing. After replenishing the lunch supplies we hit the highway south through the Salinas valley. Lots of history, from first people’s cultivation of the river corridors through to Missionaries then ranchers. Got hotter and hotter as we headed inland. Lunch at Camp Roberts rest stop was a scorcher – 33 degC. Landscape changed throughout the drive from the fertile and intensively farmed plains just south of Monterey down through a small oilfield and the mountains to the coast. The Jeep was comfortable and quiet – cruised nicely at 65–70.
Our lodging for the next two nights was the Marina Beach Motel in Santa Barbara. One block back from the sea front, beautifully kept and very peaceful. We had two rooms, one with a kitchen, which was well equipped (albeit on request!). After a stroll along the boardwalk and into town, we found an amazing Mexican supermarket. All sorts of weird veg and cuts of meat, Mexican brands and exotic ingredients. Well cooked supper eaten outside our rooms at the motel, under the moonlight and the mountains. Santa Barbara promises much – has a lovely feel to it and a distinct lack of crowds, despite an amazing beach and fantastic scenery.


