Sue - a day of cruising from north of LA to south of LA

Don't really have time to explore Ventura but it looks like a cute town...it doesn't look flashy or sleek, but the village looked worth a meander. Instead we head to the Ventura library, where we have free use of computer terminals. Handy when we want to update our blog plus book some accommodation in advance for our next destination. Our initial plans were to skirt around the outside of LA and then head inland to Palm Springs, but we have worked out that this route will put us in Carlsbad for Matthew's day trip to Legoland, on a day that Legoland happens to be closed! So we decide to head south, driving right through greater LA - Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach etc. After buying a few cheap second hand novels books at the library and a smoothie stop at 'Tom and Jerrys', we are on our way. Lots of swanky homes in Malibu, many behind big gates so we don't really get to see much. We stop for an explore and goof around at Huntington Beach -a bit hard to feel the whole SoCal surfie vibe when it's chilly spring but it seems like a pretty relaxed sort of place.

Dinner today is chicken, salad and rolls from the supermarket, eaten in the car! We arrive in Carlsbad in time for the kids to enjoy a swim in the hotel pool. Have been surprised how cold it has been in California so far - apparently usually much warmer this time of year.