# On The Road Again - Our Journey Through The West Coast of the USA **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 11, 2013, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576 "2013-09-11T15:54:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/21 "2013-09-12T18:03:57Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Okey dokey. šŸ™‚ > > I forgot my rant from yesterday - holy invasive security procedures, Batman! We were fingerprinted and had all of our personal information recorded at Universal Studios yesterday - this was a surprise manoeuvre _after_ we had paid an exorbitant sum to get into the park. Then we went to a ball game later and watched as security guards used wands to wave all over people and required people to empty pockets and searched all bags and purses (my purse was searched at Universal Studios), too. Land of the Free - as long as you donā€™t want to fly anywhere or go to any attractions. We gotsa look out for them damned Islams! Oop, had this thread confused with the ā€œwhat kind of old fart will you beā€ thread. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/22 "2013-09-13T04:15:23Z")
Day Four - I have to take back my accusations of hypocrisy - there were recycle bins all over Seaworld today. Seaworld was fascinating, but probably not worth the big bucks it cost - we didnā€™t go on any of the rides since that isnā€™t our jam, but we did see some of the shows and lots of the exhibits. The shows were a mixed bag - we loved the Shamu show, but the Las Vegas lounge act additions to just watching magnificent whales being magnificent felt demeaning to the whales and unnecessary. The dolphins were amazing - I could watch them for hours. The turtles and sharks and the rest of the fish were also wonderful - we also got to pet the manta rays. They felt weird - like wet velvet. Iā€™m glad we went there, but I donā€™t think weā€™ll be going back - itā€™s a once in a lifetime event for us, I think. Tomorrow the Zoo - we have to budget our time there, I figure - itā€™s a huge zoo from what Iā€™m reading. Weā€™re going to try to fit some shopping in somewhere along the line, too. And hey, the Pacific Ocean! Itā€™s everywhere around here, man! And big. Itā€™s like really, really, really big. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/23 "2013-09-13T04:34:41Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Glad you set aside enough time to see all the stuff worth seeing in all those states. šŸ˜› > > After Idaho, which is your next most hated state? **Cat Whisperer** and I drove to Vegas and back in 2006 taking the five-day scenic route through the Little Bighorn Battlefield, Yellowstone and Salt Lake City on the way there and the four-day Rachel, NV, Bryce Canyon route home, so weā€™ve seen most everything worth seeing between home and Vegas. šŸ™‚ The juryā€™s still out on which is our next most hated state. But Wisconsin is moving up the list, what with people from there asking stupid questionsā€¦ :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/24 "2013-09-13T04:39:48Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > \ > > And hey, the Pacific Ocean! Itā€™s everywhere around here, man! And big. Itā€™s like really, really, really big. šŸ™‚ We have set up shop in a motel a block from the marina, on the edge on Little Italy and within walking distance of the USS Midway. Took a lengthy stroll around the neighbourhood this evening. Very nice, aside from the trees with flowers that smell vaguely of pee. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/25 "2013-09-13T05:27:41Z")
> [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](#): > > \ > The juryā€™s still out on which is our next most hated state. But Wisconsin is moving up the list, what with people from there asking stupid questionsā€¦ :mad: Hey now, be nice to **Boyo Jim** - when we go back to Wisconsin for the cheese tour, we donā€™t want him mad at us! ---
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/26 "2013-09-13T05:30:34Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Hey now, be nice to **Boyo Jim** - when we go back to Wisconsin for the cheese tour, we donā€™t want him mad at us! Your logic is inescapable. And he is an award-winning authorā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2013, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/27 "2013-09-13T06:14:38Z")
I have uploaded some pics now - [here is one of a manta ray swimming over our heads!](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/SAM_0942_zpsd7c5672f.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/28 "2013-09-14T04:38:40Z")
Day Five - San Diego Zoo and Anthonyā€™s Seafood Grotto for supper. The Zoo was interesting - huge grounds, lots of exhibits and animals - we walked for six hours and saw _most_ of it. Iā€™d say it also was overpriced - they say the ticket price includes things like a bus tour and the Skyfari sky tram, but these things were all an extra cost if you actually wanted to _do_ them. I think weā€™re going to chalk this one up as another thing weā€™ve checked off the list, but we wonā€™t be going back. Anthonyā€™s Seafood Grotto, right on the Pacific Ocean (and I do mean _on_ it - it juts out over the water!) was great - weā€™d go back there again. We took a walk after dinner and walk around the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier museum - weā€™d like to take the tour someday, but it wonā€™t fit in this trip. Wow, that is one huge boat! We also walked around Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres today. They arenā€™t playing any home games this trip, which has Jim quite disappointed since they are his favourite team. It looks like a very nice park, in a lovely neighbourhood (the Gaslamp District - we enjoyed driving through here and sightseeing here as well). I have to say, we are loving San Diego - weā€™ve never visited a city before where we felt we _had_ to come back again before we were even finished with this visit! Weā€™re planning our next visit already! Tomorrow - the Olde Towne and then hit the highway. Weā€™re hoping to get some authentic Mexican cuisine for lunch in the Olde Towne tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/29 "2013-09-14T05:00:18Z")
Some more pictures - [Sunbathing on a sunny day - itā€™s a tough life for a Bonobo.](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/SAM_1216_zpsea265027.jpg) [Sitting on a post, having a scratch.](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/SAM_1215_zpsdacd32e2.jpg) ["Iā€™m swinging through the trees, just swinging, through the treesā€¦](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/SAM_1172_zps6c652d5e.jpg) [Honey badgers are awesome - this one didnā€™t stop racing around and playing the whole time we watched him.](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/SAM_1139_zps61b3f4ce.jpg) [A leopard, nice and close up. Pretty kitty!](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/SAM_1115_zpsd791519b.jpg) [Pandas waiting for lunch. Hurry up!](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/SAM_1107_zpsb777a5d4.jpg) [Hanging out on a branch, getting a nice mist on a hot day. Tough life for a Red Panda.](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/SAM_1094_zps0bf6b66a.jpg) [ā€œI didnā€™t do it! I was framed!ā€ No animal looks as much like theyā€™re in jail as the raccoons.](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/SAM_1084_zps20297552.jpg) [Sleepy koala!](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/SAM_1025_zps3ac19bbf.jpg) [This isnā€™t our imagination - that looks a lot like David Arquette, doesnā€™t it?](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/SAM_0751_zpsaa44fb3a.jpg) (Taken at the Dodgerā€™s game.) [Gwyneth Paltrow and what I assume are her kids at the Dodgerā€™s Game.](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/c4ea9a56-1c23-4c8a-9566-0af9cd4622c9_zpsf7c040d8.jpg) [Killer Whales being awesome.](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/SAM_0908_zps71b152d7.jpg) [Killer Whales being even more awesome.](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/SAM_0900_zps45cefc0e.jpg) [AHHHHHH! Itā€™s a shark attack on dry land!](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/SAM_0616_zpse0fa792a.jpg) [This is what happens when you let cows drive.](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/SAM_0499_zps8c5d4aaf.jpg) [Weā€™ve seen cars without license plates everywhere.](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/SAM_0279_zps60d66d4c.jpg) WTF, man? License plates are optional in the US? ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/30 "2013-09-14T11:45:29Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I have uploaded some pics now - [here is one of a manta ray swimming over our heads!](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/SAM_0942_zpsd7c5672f.jpg) Nice. Where was that taken? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/31 "2013-09-14T16:06:08Z")
> [@echo7tango](#): > > Nice. Where was that taken? At Seaworld, underneath the manta tank. It was amazing, watching the mantas swim over top of us - I think they need reclining viewing beds, though. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![jayrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@jayrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayrey)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/32 "2013-09-14T17:37:55Z")
Cat Whisperer, I love your photo of the leopard. May I have your permission to use it for a painting? (Iā€™ll take the cage out, of course.) ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/33 "2013-09-14T18:02:27Z")
If youā€™re taking the 101 or the 1 when you head back north, stop in Solvang for at least a day. In the middle of town youā€™ll find a restaurant that serves Abelskivers. Try them. Enjoy the Danish influence and shopping. Wife and I are headed back there and then on to Carmel in two weeks. Really, donā€™t miss Santa Barbara, Solvang, and then CA Hwy 1 up the coast to Carmel. Itā€™s 125 miles of desolate (mostly) yet beautiful California coast line. Hurst castle is along the way too. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2013, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/34 "2013-09-14T18:16:59Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Tomorrow - the Olde Towne and then hit the highway. Weā€™re hoping to get some authentic Mexican cuisine for lunch in the Olde Towne tomorrow. If you are driving up the coast on Highway 1, you might want to at least stop for lunch in Laguna Beachā€¦this is the coastal town people envision when they think of California beach towns. Yes, a tad touristy, but really quite pretty with lots of cools shops and little ice cream stores, etc. Worth walking around for an hour or so, if you have the timeā€¦also a hop leap and a skip to Disneyland, if that was on the cards. Keep us posted! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/35 "2013-09-15T05:47:42Z")
> [@jayrey](#): > > Cat Whisperer, I love your photo of the leopard. May I have your permission to use it for a painting? (Iā€™ll take the cage out, of course.) Thank you very much, and certainly! We did go up the #1 Pacific Coast Highway, and stopped to play in the surf at Aliso Beach for about an hour. It was wonderful - the waves were huge and breaking on the sand like thunder. We went to get our toes wet in the surf without realizing that waves come in fast and furious - we got a bit more than our toes wet! It was great, though - a nice, warm, sunny day on a beautiful beach - what more could you ask? We did drive through Laguna Beach - all the way up to Dana Point where we peeled off to go up the #405 Highway and ended up in Santa Clarita. We were trying to see Vasquez Rocks today of Star Trek fame, but we couldnā€™t find it. We have directions from Google Maps now. Tomorrow weā€™re on the highway to get all the way up to San Francisco - probably staying overnight in Santa Nella. Oh yeah, we went to see Old Town in San Diego today, too - it was very cool, but very touristy. Iā€™ve never seen so much pottery tourist kitsch in one place before! We went into Whaley house, the hauntedest house in the United States. I didnā€™t see any ghosts, however. The drive up the coast was a great experience - it was much slower than the #5 highway, but so much more interesting. I feel like we got to see so much more of the real California, complete with endless beaches, surfer dudes, blondes, and mile after mile of pretentious galleries. šŸ™‚ Oh yeah, and tons of oil derricks and refineries, too. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/36 "2013-09-15T06:27:47Z")
Update on the haunted Whaley House - [check out the area at the bottom of the white open door area in this picture.](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/fad28013-2af4-48b6-a8f9-97e75c8d47f1_zps7d0d741b.jpg) Iā€™m not saying we snapped a picture of an apparition, but when we zoomed in on that area and saw a head-shaped figure there, the hair on my arms stood right up. šŸ™‚ ([The original picture.](http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s142/featherlou/San%20Diego%20Trip%202013/SAM_1318_zps71eaea0f.jpg)) ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/37 "2013-09-15T11:33:19Z")
Bummer that you donā€™t have more time to go up the coast. Going around Big Sur on highway 1 is one of my favorite things in the world. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2013, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/38 "2013-09-15T15:46:25Z")
A musing - since weā€™re one of the few cars in this area that has a block heater cord sticking out the front, do you think weā€™d get away with parking in electric car premium parking? šŸ˜ƒ Big Sur, eh? Iā€™ll have to look that up on the map. Maybe we can swing around there. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/39 "2013-09-16T05:04:56Z")
Day Seven - Vasquez Rocks, The Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz, Apple headquarters in Cupertino, and downtown San Francisco. Vasquez Rocks were very cool - if youā€™re a Star Trek fan, youā€™d recognize them from Kirkā€™s fight with the Gorn (and many other film and tv shoots). We went to the Mystery Spot but didnā€™t wait around for the tour (it would have cost us about two hours on a day when we were running out of time). Apparently you stand sideways at the Mystery Spot, and you need a 45 minute guided tour to do so. We might make it back some day. Apple Headquarters in Cupertino were, well, very business-like. Going into the Apple retail store there might be more interesting. Downtown San Francisco so far is okay - a lot of hills, which is to be expected, I guess. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![palacheck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a88e57/32.png) [@palacheck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palacheck)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2013, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576/40 "2013-09-16T08:43:24Z")
When I see the user **Cat Whisperer** Iā€™m certain that, at minimum 1 out of every 10 posts will feature a complaint or snarky aside about America and/or Americans. Arenā€™t you planning on retiring here? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-road-again-our-journey-through-the-west-coast-of-the-usa/668576.md?page=3)