03.08. Santa Barbara

The second night goes better, Sammy wakes up at 4:00 am. After breakfast, we load our car again and head straight across Los Angeles to the Santa Monica Pier. The pier houses an amusement park and is also the end point of the famous Route 66.

There is a huge parking lot in front (costs $15, the cashier is happy about the brand new $1 bills fresh from Europe), we stroll along the pier and go for a ride on the Ferris wheel - the atmosphere is really great. Here you can also find the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, we buy a t-shirt in the shop, but it's still too early for a shrimp tasting.

Afterwards, we continue driving along the coast through Malibu towards the north, until we reach Santa Barbara. This very Hispanic-influenced city is considered the most beautiful in California. After a late afternoon walk along the beach promenade, we can't argue with that. Wide beach, well-maintained palm trees everywhere, and a beautiful pier where we stop at a seafood restaurant. Finally, no burger, although the Americans can't resist serving the shrimp and co breaded with fries and ketchup...