We looked over every possible place people go, Mexico, Caribbean, Hawaii, Greece, etc. After weeks of research and slight depression, we found we had either been there, were drawn to a place that was way to expensive (at least for my budget) or the destination seemed too pedestrian to put it mildly. (As a newer Detroit transplant I learned that getting to anywhere interesting from Detroit is a complete pain in the ass and takes at least 3 flight changes).
Finally we decided we would wait until May and celebrate my birthday by traveling to the west coast, a driving trip, seeing sights and visiting friends from LA (my hometown) up to Seattle (where Joe used to live/work in the grunge filled 90s).
13 days of driving....aprox 1200+ miles with our detours
LOS ANGELES
Starting in LA we spent a few nights as guests of a friend, who was gracious and loaned us his early 1960 John Lautner designed house in the Hollywood Hills to set up camp. Not a bad way to start, we spent our mornings watching the sunrise over the Griffith Observatory (a benefit of traveling backwards in time 3 hours), taking to his steam room, swimming and hiking in the hills surrounding the house. Quick visits with close friends allowed us to eat at some new and old favs including Gracias Madre, Cafe Gratitude, El Coyote (which I didn't realize there was a boycott of until after I ate there, sorry), Cafe Habana Malibu (she owners who treated us very well, thank you again), The Ivy and Moon of Tunis. We left LA tired, bellies full and happy to see so many people. Oh if you haven't been to Gracias Madre, my little sister Devon gave me the best advise, which I didn't listen to but will pass on to you because she is correct, don't order everything, they serve a lot of food. You will fill up quickly. It's true, we did, and then of course I heard that from four other people after the fact. Gracias Madre is a good place for big groups too.
(side note: if we didn't get to see you, I whole heartedly apologize, visiting LA is always difficult for me, trying to cram so many people into so few hours)
Oh LA, how do I sum up thee...at least to me.
The LA of my childhood is long gone, it makes me very sad, the replacement is not for me, although I do love your food, sadly there is no decent coffee, I'll miss your sunshine, spanish architecture and of course my friends.
It will probably be a while until I see you again.
OJAI & RAGGED POINT
Moby suggested we stop in Ojai to check it out as Joe had never been and apparently there was a new vegan restaurant up there, so we made a short side trip on our ride up Highway 1 to Ojai.
Quick stop in Ojai. We drove along the main drag around 5pm on a Sunday afternoon, checked out some houses in the surrounding neighborhoods and pulled into Hip Vegan Cafe with 30 mins to spare. I had eaten here a few years prior with my friend Myriam after a photo shoot on a horse ranch in the area. They updated the inside of Hip Vegan, it's still tiny, I had the best sandwich ever, Ray's Ruben, don't ask, just order it, fantastic. Joe's sandwich was good but less memorable than the ruben, he was trying to eat healthy, I gave that up when I saw Ray's Ruben description, I believe I saw him sulk slightly at his hippie sammy because mine was so terrific. I like eating at Hip Vegan because the tables are communal outside and you sit under olive trees. Very pretty, very California hidden away community. Everyone looked like they just left Coachella and came to Ojai for vegan food. Ojai reminds me of Palm Springs back when I was a kid minus the sprinkling of hipsters. I still don't know which vegan place Moby was talking about in Ojai, but Hip Vegan is still the place for me.
Once we left Ojai we began the long beautiful drive to Ragged Point, CA, just north of San Simeon where Hearst Castle stands.
Long drive....the sun was relentless, did I mention we are driving a convertible Chevy Camaro?
It's easy to forget how incredible California is when you only drive the 10, 5 and 405 freeways. If you haven't driven the 101 past Zuma in a while please do, it will remind you of how special the state of California is, plus it's nice and relaxing.
Several hours later we made it to Hearst Castle only to be asked to leave by a stern park ranger. Insert sad face..."rosebud"
11 more miles and we checked in to The Ragged Point Inn.
Now I highly recommend The Ragged Point Inn, the view and property are outstanding. You can hike down the cliffs to the ocean, the rooms are a little sparse although they have electric fireplaces to keep you warm and that spectacular view. The restaurant, eh, ok. Nothing to write home about, we had dinner next to some very loud and opinionated South Africans, that was it. The next morning we had our first cup of decent good coffee at the coffee stand and got to speak with the lovely man that works there, I think his name was Rory, his daughter is Jena Malone, the actress. We were going to stay in Ragged Point for two nights but discovered it was quite further than we thought from Big Sur so we packed it in and headed north on the 1....
View Of Downtown LA
Sunrise Over Griffith Observatory
Joe at Hip Vegan Cafe in Ojai (notice olive trees in back of him)
View Outside Room at Ragged Point Inn
More Ragged Point View
