Zannee’s Blog at BargainsLA.com

Crescent City is dull and cold. A total bore. I had heard so many amazing stories about the scenic country side and towns on the Northern California Coast, that I had a vision of a city that didn’t exist.

Onward we drove thru spectacular Redwood forests and ocean scenery. The redwoods never cease to amaze and we took our time before ending up in Eureka. Again I had heard many stories of the amazing Victorian mansions and homes. I expected to see something unlike anywhere else.

Nope. Totally dull and underwhelming. Though a few spectacular Victorian do exist, one is a private club, most are poorly kept, subdivided into apartments with streets in need of maintenance and upkeep. Okay it’s a working community. I get it. But couldn’t somebody please mow the lawn or paint the exteriors occasionally?

We split pretty quick from the dull and dreary Northern California Coast scene. Sadly, we had to pass on some historical and scenic areas in North Central California because of the fires and ended up in San Jose, specifically at the weird Winchester House.

Okay, if you haven’t been there, you haven’t witnessed what happens to a women possessed. Stairs that lead to nowhere, obsession with the number thirteen, unfinished rooms…. That poor woman was a whack job. But the home has a lot of Victorian architectural details that I enjoyed.

From there we decided to head down to Paso Robles so we could see Hearst Castle. Paso Robles is another cool town that has its share of wine tasting, fine and funky restaurants along with fun shops to peruse. A neat launching point for a weekend away.

Hearst Castle was, as always, terrific. We haven’t been in 13 years and there are always new pieces of information to latch on to. But it is over so commercialized now that it diminishes the experience. However the indoor mosaic pool never disappoints. The coastline is stellar and the view even better.

After Hearst Castle, we headed into Solvang to see their July 4th Parade. Arriving late July 3rd, we scoped out the town for the usual Danish faire, but settled on dinner at the Chefs Touch. Part cooking school, part restaurant, you get to watch your meal being prepared on two large screen monitors or you can walk up to the open kitchen.

Honestly, I had the best pasta I have ever had anywhere. Really! Great wine selection, happy service. It was a delightful surprise. I never would have thought an innovative California style restaurant would be found in Solvang. This is such a great food and a great concept in a restaurant that I begged the chef to open one down here.

The July 4th parade was fun. A different sensibility is needed to appreciate it. I have never seen so many members of the Rotary Club or Kiwanis Club honored before. Tractors, horses, vintage cars, motorcycles, hay rides…. A terrific small town parade. Good fun all around.

After stuffing ourselves with pastry from Olsen Danish Bakery and marzipan chocolates from Ingeborg’s  www.ingeborgs.com we sauntered around the town, checking out shops for awhile.

We made it home just in time to catch the local fireworks at La Crescenta High School.  I day of laundry and answering emails proved finally I get more emails than anyone I know. I got so many that an e-mail box that is suppose to handle thousands was completely overloaded  and many of you got bounce backs. Sorry.

That will probably be our very last road trip until the price of gas comes down or we get an electric car. But it was worth every penny.