Hollywood

We're in Hollywood. City of weirdos, beggars and the maxed to the extreme. 

Are you my father? 

Red carpet premier of the Hobbit. Stars and all. Missed Orlando though as he veered to the other side....damn. 

A movie on the big screen at the Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Blvd. 

Coast drive San Fran to LA

The drive along the coast was beautiful. Dolphins, whales, seaside and forest. 

Big Sur. still not sure exactly what Big Sur is but this is Big Sur.

Monterey overnight with a wander into down and to the wharf. 

Simon insisted on having the wood fire going. Didn't like to admit it was a good idea.....but it was.

Finishing up the night with a little piña colada popper.

A day trip to Carmel was one of the nicest places we visited during our whole trip. What an amazing little town. If we are ever back in this neck of the woods we are staying in Carmel, it is truly gorgeous. 

We got talked into a French restaurant for lunch. Thinking it would send us broke we went in with hesitation. What a surprise, great price and awesome food. Lovely sitting next to the fire pit.

And a cocktail for lunch topped it off. Poor Simon was driving.

We finished the day in Carmel with a drive along the 17 Mile Drive. 

Just a few sea lions out for a swim.

The lone Cyprus. 

I had to try the seafood chowder. 

Simon had to try an iced Long Island tea. 

A good breakfast before heading off for another day's drive. Well that is throwing the word 'good' around loosely. Finally made it to ihop. 

San Francisco

Ding ding of the trams. Note to self: a hotel on the tram line will bring some noise.

Yes we photo bombed on the tram. 

Fisherman's Wharf. Tourist heaven or was it hell.

The sea lions were quite a sight. Unfortunately they were also quite a smell! 

Cocktails for lunch is always a great start. 

Some delicious seafood is an even better start. 

Union Square was very busy.

We had booked a trip to Alcatraz. Lucky is read up and pre booked as people were turned away.

Xmas eve and the San Francisco Fire Brigade were collecting gifts for the needy. Not sure about the weird snowman. 

Xmas day brunch. A little champagne with a not so Christmassy buffet. Oh and they also served you an extra a la carte meal. Did I mention we were very full? 

 

Not quite the Xmas lunch we expected. 

Oh that looks a bit more Christmassy.

Xmas night ended with a bang. A nutter in our hotel decided to lose the blot resulting in her door being smashed in and an epic saga going on for an hour. Cheap entertainment!

Yep that's her being wrestled to the ground. Only took about six officers to hold her down.