Roadtrip I

My new retirement started just over 5 weeks ago. After two straight weeks of travel to Vancouver & Rochester, I severly broke my toe kayaking at the infamous Windansea beach (a freak accident but very painful). After "working from home" & negotiating my exit from the great corporate community for 3 weeks with some level of stir crazy with only one foot, I decided a roadtrip was necessary. So I packed up the S2000 and the lovely Lisa & I hit the road up the coast. (I decided to start detailing and documenting my travels as I find myself quickly forgetting where I've been, eaten, stayed, etc and need to keep as reference and share with friends for recommendations)

Roadtrip I
Thursday, July 12th: start our drive from San Diego up the 5 to the 101 up the coast with our first stop Santa Barbara. Lunch at the famous "La Supa Rica" where we had incredible mexican soup, tacos, pork adobo & mexican juice. A must stop next time you're in SB. From there, a quick tour of State street, then off to wine country, made famous by "Sideways". We cut up the 154 to hit Santa Ynez & Los Olivos and the Foxen Canyon Wine trail. With a late start, traffic in LA, & early winery closing, we only managed to hit two wineries, Fess Parker & Cottonwood Canyon. I highly recommend a few days in this region, as the wines have gotten very good, theres some great restaurants and a ton to see & do in SB. Next we were back on 101 with a stop in Avila Beach for beers & seafood ceviche at Nick's on the pier listening to local musicians. Then off to San Luis Obispo to catch their Thursday Night Farmer's Market sampling Santa Maria Tri Tip. Then off to Morro Bay to spend the night.

Friday, July 13th: We had one bad meal the entire 8 days and it was at a small mom & pop diner for breakfast in Morro. The corned beef hash was so bad we had to send it back. We then continued up the 1, tops down, driving thru small beach towns like Cuyocos, all the way thru Big Sur. If you havn't done this drive, its truely one of the the most spectacular drives you will ever do. We passed on Carmel (you can't stop if you're not with Keelpasa) and did a quick tour of Monterrey. Lunch at Phils in Moss Landing was clam chowder, fried fish, shrimp & scallops with local beer. Then back up the 1 along the coast thru Capitola & Santa Cruz. Two more winery stops at the highly recommended Bonny Doon & Hallcrest. Another highly recommended wine district to check out as there are now over 70 wineries in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Our night ended at friends of Lisa's in Boulder Creek, where I got to take in cocktails at the local tavern before drinking cava (roots mixed with water)from Fiji and a great dinner with lots of wine.

Saturday, July 14th: On a twisting Beer Creek rd to the 17, we passed David Bruce winery but I could'nt stomach a morning tasting, one of the trip regrets. Next stop was lunch at my good friends, Paul & Masako Yasuda in Sunnyvale with their kids, Erica & Katie. Then over the the next town with a stop by of my high school buddies, Rob Cruz and wife Stephanie. Then off to the East Bay for a stop over in San Ramon to visit my MBA buddy, Dave & Rhona Goldblatt & their 3 kids. Then up to Lafeyette for awaiting mojitos at the house of Tony & Mona Keeler. Quick drinks & showers and it was off to Wes & Dr Mary Smiths house in Orinda for dinner & lots of wine.

Sunday, July 15th: Woke up feeling like crap thinking I was just hung over. We had breakfast in Walnut Creek with Tony & Lisa's friend. Then I went to the gym to work out. Then we were off to Napa where we stopped at Trefethan & V Sattui. Still unable to drink. We get to Baldinis in Yountville and I get sick and can't even drink with my good buddy Tones. It was a sad night. Tony still drank.

Monday, July 16th: Next day we stop by Vacaville & work out with one of Lisa's friends, lunch at Woodstock's & hit campus in Davis then Sac & my parent's house where I'm still sick.

Tuesday, July 17th: Go to the gym again sick, then off to Fresno to see the Barneys.

Wednesday, July 18th: A full day hangin with all 6 of the Barney clan despite being sick in 100 weather.

Thursday, July 19th: Back to SD. So despite some type of stomach virus, it was a great trip catching up with so many friends, spending time with my folks, going to some great wineries, eating so many great meals, and driving the incredible hiway 1 in perfect weather with my top down. Get out and do the same. Hopefully, I'll be out to see all of you soon.