California - 1

This is such a huge diversified state that even a map of it must be split into parts

We have visited California so many times and each has special memories

Let’s start by entering through the desert into San Diego

We drove past a Turtle refuge in the middle of the desert

and to the place where off road is the King

We saw people racing up and down sand dunes that were small mountains so steep you were certain they would fall backwards

You drive across a across a river into mountain dunes of sand

People are playing every time we have been there racing up and down these dunes

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San Diego itself is a Mecca for playing

There is the wonderful Zoo split like the state into parts

Up and down you walk or you are carried on a moving walkway

The Pandas envelope you with a keen fascination

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Another part of the zoo you ride mostly around and see what is there

Whale watching out of San Diego is wonderful and to get there you

Float past a great naval area

and look back and see airplanes flying low over the city

The drive to Los Angeles is filled with concrete and then you drive past Disney

Knott's Berry Farm, the Farmer's Market, the Walk of Stars, Muscle Beach and Venice Beach

Los Angeles is filled with cars and more cars and tons of people all sharing concrete

Pasadena is the home of the Rose Bowl Parade

Every time we have gone to the parade we have thoroughly enjoyed the experience

We stay up all night long with hoards of people all in a great mood

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We watch the great car parade the night before and then the parade

Floats of flowers so beautiful and real and your senses are overcome

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And then there is the drive up the magnificent coast stopping in Lompoc to stand among the fields of flowers in bloom

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On to Moro Bay with the wonderful restaurants and all the tourist areas

Further up past the Castle you stop where once you walked among the Elephant Seals

Now they are protected but right there so close you can see, hear and experience them

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The road curves in and around and up and down always with incredible views

We have driven this road both ways and in the fog as well as on clear days

From Monterrey to Santa Cruz you drive through highly populated but beautiful places

We have gone whale watching more than once in Monterrey

Santa Cruz is among our most favourite of places with the art movies and the "Pink Lady"

Tomorrow I will write about San Francisco and further north but

Like the Map my writing will be spilt in parts about California!

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John