Valencia Travel Park, Valencia, CA, to Ocean Mesa at El Capitan, Santa Barbara, CA:  Left this morning at around 11:00.  Took 162 down to Ventura and then north on the 101.  Drove through a lot of orange groves on Rt. 162.  Since we were in Valencia, I wonder if this is where Valencia oranges come from?  We not only drove through a lot of orange groves, but also a lot of tree farms and other fields of crops which created a patchwork up the sides of the hills.  Headed north on the 101, which is on the bed of the old, historic El Camino Real which was built by the Spanish to link all the California missions.  We had the beautiful Pacific Ocean on our left and the Sierra Madre mountains on the right.  Beautiful vistas everywhere.  The park we’re in is 20 miles north of Santa Barbara and is very nice and very pricey also.  There’s a spa where you can get a massage, nice pools, and some nature trails out to a llama ranch.  We’re really out in the country which is nice.  We were set up by 1:30, had some lunch and then drove back to Santa Barbara and drove around.  Drove through the Hope Ranch which probably was a working ranch at one time and now is an upscale golf and residential area of amazing homes.  Then drove along the Santa Barbara coastal areas and beaches.  Wanted to go out on a pier with a couple of restaurants but couldn’t find a place to park.  It’s a terrible weekend to be here because of the holiday.  We also drove through Old Town which is a really nice shopping and dining venue in the old part of town.  Back home to our pretty park.  You can see the Pacific from the park.  It was 95 when we left Valencia.  The high temp here today was 75.  Big difference.

On the 101 north of Ventura

On the 101

You can rent tents and cabins here in our park.  They start at $155 and go up to $795 per night.  This is one of the safari tents

Driving through the Hope Ranch

One of the homes in the Hope Ranch

Nice spot for a nap

One of the beaches in Santa Barbara--dogs allowed

Surfer dude--water temps 65 degrees

Sailboat on the beautiful Pacific just off Santa Barbara