West Coast Tour Day 5 - Solvang, Hearst Castle

Day 5 was actually just to travel from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Because it was a long journey and the bus drivers had to take breaks in between, rather than stopping at random bus stops by the side of highways, they slotted in two places of interest so we could have something to see while the drivers rested.

First stop was Solvang, a city with authentic Danish culture apparently.

Do they have colourful houses in Denmark too?

Ok fine it did feel 'Danish' enough. Authentic or not, I'm not sure.

Are windmills found in Denmark too?

During our journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco, the tour guide pointed out these bells that line the highway every couple hundred of metres or so. These bells mark the historic El Camino Real route.

Second stop of the day: The Hearst Castle, built by this super rich guy Hearst. Too much money if you ask me.

While it was free to enter the Visitor Center, we had to pay extra to enter the Castle itself, which is located at the top of a nearby hill and can only be reached by bus. We decided not to spend the money, and fortunately there is a little exhibition area for us to spend our time.

Our tour guide saved the day! He brought us to a nearby beach we saw hundreds(?) of seals lazing around on the beach, which he claimed other tour guides did not bring their tour participants to. Preferred this very windy beach to the Castle.

West Coast Tour Day 5

West Coast Tour Day 4 - Los Angeles

Day 4 was to return to Los Angeles, now that we were done with Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Along the way the bus stopped at a chocolate factory and a cactus garden, but they weren't very interesting places.

The tour agency did not plan any itineraries for Los Angeles, having treating it only as a base as we travelled to other places, but they did have an optional night tour which we signed up for, although there weren't much to see at night.

Los Angeles City Hall.

Walt Disney Concert Hall, part of the Los Angeles Music Center.

Peace on Earth sculpture, with the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in the background.

The Kodak Theatre where the Oscars is held every year.

Hollywood Walk of Fame, where famous entertainers have their names embedded on stars on the ground.

Vertu phones seen at Beverly Hills, apparently a super luxurious estate where many famous celebrities live. According to the tour guide, things sold there are without price tags, 'cos 'if you have to ask for the price, it probably means you are not rich enough'.

Ended the night tour at the Staples Center, home to the LA Lakers.

The tour wasn't too bad, but a pity was that we didn't get to see the Hollywood sign.

West Coast Tour Day 4