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I didn't sleep that well - the fridge is really quite noisy. Pack up and leave about 11. I have only had juice and need coffee. My itinerary includes Long Beach for the Queen Mary (the former ocean liner and now museum/hotel) and one or two Spanish Missions.
Its wall to wall cloud. I get to Long Beach but I didn't have the exact location of the ship (its 'in the Harbour') and can't find it. I spot a Subway and go round the block to get to it and some breakfast. I'm tired and hungover and as I turn right I take the nearside (ie wrong way) of the 4 lanes. There is no traffic but I see vehicles in the distance pointing my way and race across the tram line to the right side. I'm quite shook up and very cross with myself. I park up and get my sandwich but Subway stop doing coffee at 11 (I'd wondered why some places didn't have it). They point me to a 7Eleven where I get a coffee.
Then off on the Interstate towards San Juan Capistrano. I have programmed the Tom Tom for the middle of town where it should be. I see some signs but can't find it. Why can't the Americans signpost anything! I park up and eat my sandwich (sweet teriaki chicken - v nice) then wander across the level crossing finding a map of the town
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| Train! |
The mission is just round the corner. I get a tea in Starbucks opposite. I'm feeling really rough today. Check some emails. Then to the Mission.
Its $9 incl free audio tour or $3 more for a guided tour. I feel I should do the latter but don't feel like I'm up to it. As I wander round the beautiful grounds - much busier and more touristy than the one I did a few days ago - I cheer up, taking lots of photos. Towards the end the sun even comes out. These Missions are one of the unexpected delights of the holiday.
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| Mission San Juan Capistrano |
This turned out to be a really great stop so I'm glad I persisted (I nearly gave up trying to find it).
There are lots more photos of the Mission and the rest of the day on this Picassa album. The website of the Mission is here.
Brilliant as this is, time dictates that I don't go to the other one on my list which is a 40ml round trip detour. However, when I get to Oceanside I should be able to get off the I5 to a coastal road (the fast roads aren't much good with the roof down - too noisy). I find the beginning of the coast road but get lost so give up and back to the I5. Its only about an hour and a half from the Mission to San Diego. At one spot, I stop for some views of the ocean, which is nice. Just on from that I pass what looks like the film set from M*A*S*H. All buff coloured tents and old style jeeps and stuff. Its actually a real army camp. Totally weird.
The Tom Tom takes me straight to the hotel by 5:30. There is valet parking ($26 per day) and I have a huge room (604). It hasn't got a great view but apart from that is brilliant - just what I wanted for my last stop. Quite reasonable as well - $119 NI the parking. Looking at the website I should have booked direct: For $170 I could have also got breakfast, free parking and $25 day petrol!
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| My wonderful room in the Bristol Hotel San Diego |
After a bit of research and I choose Buon Appetito for food, a bit north of my location. Its a fair walk. Its a nice, small, Italian place (this is San Diego's Little Italy) and I have a fillet mignon which is great. Really tasty and beautifully cooked with fresh vegetables.
After that I wander up and find a 7Eleven where I get wine, coke and juice. Then walk back. There are loads of homeless people sleeping though no one bothers me. Near the hotel are loads of 'Bail Bond' places (ie get out of gaol after minor crime) which, understandably, seem to be open 24/7. Never seen these before!
Back by about 9:30. Do my downloading - it turns out my geologger got turned off in the restaurant. I've been obsessive about checking it as I drive along - with good reason it seems. The TV channels aren't as good here. My wine (Chardonnay $11.99) is very nice once I manage to cool it down in an ice bucket. This is the best hotel room of the trip by far but has the worst TV selection. For almost the first time I can't find stuff to watch (ie Family Guy/American Dad/Two and a Half Men/Roseanne).
A dodgy start to the day, but had an excellent time in the Mission and a brilliant final hotel room. Also feeling calm about going home soon.
