Golden Shore RV Resort, Long Beach, CA:  Took the short drive over to where the Queen Mary is docked.  Only a few blocks from us.  I figure it’s the closest I’ll ever get Mike to a cruise ship (sigh).  She took her maiden voyage in 1936 from England to NYC.  She was considered the grandest ocean liner ever built at the time.  And the list of celebs and notables that sailed on her was quite impressive. I was disappointed though.  It’s now a working hotel and a lot of the salons and other historic areas are off limits.  Had lunch at one of the restaurants on the ship and then headed over to the Catalina Island ferry office to get tickets for tomorrow’s ferry.  Then we decided to drive back to San Juan Capistrano on the Pacific Coast Highway, but the mission closed at 5:00 and we didn’t get there in time.  This whole area is one huge urban sprawl.  The pretty hills just inland are littered with houses all over.  Too many people, too many cars, too much smog—other than that it’s a great place to live.  Looking forward to getting away from LA.

The Goodyear blimp flying over the Queen Mary--Long Beach

Deck chairs aboard the Queen Mary

Long Beach shrouded in what they call the "marine layer" which keeps the temps down and then dissipates by early afternoon.

Mission San Juan Capistrano--built in 1776

Mission San Juan Capistrano

Santee Lakes, Santee, CA, to Golden Shore RV Resort, Long Beach, CA:  Left Santee at 10:15 this morning and arrived in Long Beach and were set up by 1:00.  A short drive on major freeways all the way.  Mike did all the driving.  The park we’re in is right downtown and near the water.  We have high rises all around us.  Very different.  Nice park though.  We were going to drive up to Mission San Juan Capistrano, but I was up all night last night with a queasy stomach and not much better today.  Hope tomorrow is a better day.  

Santee Lakes, Santee, CA:  Today was spent mostly doing some housekeeping chores.  After I got up I cleaned the bathroom and changed the sheets.  Then we went over and did the laundry.  Came back and put that away.  Relaxed a little.  Then we cleaned the front of the fifth wheel.  Made a Walgreens run and then came back and had a cocktail under the awning.  Tonight we actually dined in.  Grilled up some fillets, accompanied by Southwestern rice and corn on the cob.  Tomorrow we leave for Long Beach.  Really enjoyed our stay here in Santee.  A cute little town in the mountains about 15 miles northeast of San Diego.  And it’s really easy to get around here.  Lots of freeways and they have a great rapid rail system which leaves from right here in Santee.  We never took advantage of it however. 

This guy was doing an amazing balancing job with these rocks
Seaport Village--San Diego

Amazing balanced rocks
Seaport Village--San Diego

Santee Lakes, Santee, CA:  Drove over to Point Loma and Cabrillo National Monument today.  Both are on a hilly peninsula of land south of the city that forms the bay.  Beautiful views of the Pacific and the bay from this high point.  Cabrillo discovered what is now San Diego bay back in the 1500s.  The little town of Point Loma is very nice with older homes clustered in the hills.  Cute little homes very close together with lush vegetation which affords privacy and most of the homes have neat little manicured yards.  From their high vantage point they have beautiful views of the marinas, the bay, and the city of San Diego beyond.  After exploring around Point Loma we drove over this very high bridge to the island of Coronado which is in San Diego Bay.  Most of the island is a Navy base.  We went there to see the historic Hotel del Coronado which was built in 1887.  A huge wooden structure, it is one of only a few still standing.  Had lunch there in this elegant hotel and walked around the grounds for a while.  Drove back to Santee and relaxed the rest of the day.  Mid-70s today.

View from Point Loma

Good day for a sail.

Point Loma Light

Really high bridge going over to Coronado Island

View of San Diego from the high bridge

The beautiful Hotel del Coronado

View of Point Loma across the bay from the beach at the Hotel del Coronado

Santee Lakes, Santee, CA:  Went down to Seaside Village on the San Diego Bay waterfront today.  Got down there about noon and had lunch at the Bay Café right on the water.  Then went aboard the USS Midway aircraft carrier which was enormous.  The USS Carl Vinson was docked across the bay.  That’s the aircraft carrier where Bin Laden’s body was taken and where they performed the burial at sea.  Also toured the historic ships at the maritime museum.  A beautiful, clear day with temps in the mid-70s.  On the way back home we drove through the historic Gas Lamp district.  I really like San Diego.  Very nice city.  Back to Santee Lakes around 8:00.  Did a lot of walking today along the waterfront.  Felt good. 

On board the USS Midway--San Diego, CA

Star of India--built in 1863 in San Diego.  Sailed around the world 21 times.   A merchant ship that also took passengers--mainly immigrants to Australia and New Zealand.

HMS Surprise--replica of a late 18th century Royal Navy frigate--used in the production of "Master and Commander"

San Diego skyline

Santee Lakes, Santee, CA:  After a light breakfast we decided to drive to Old Town San Diego.  This historic park depicts Old Town between 1821 and 1872  The central plaza is lined with buildings—some dating back to the 1820s—and gives a picture of the lifestyle of both ordinary residents and the wealthy and influential.  Old Town really started by the Spanish in 1769 with the construction of the royal Presidio and the first of a chain of 21 California missions.  We had lunch at the historic Cosmopolitan Hotel and then walked around this historic place.  Headed back around 4:00 and stopped in Santee for some groceries.  Back home by 5:30 or so.  Started out cloudy but cleared off nicely.  Mid-70s today.

The historic Cosmopolitan Hotel--we had lunch here in the courtyard

The Saloon in the Cosmopolitan Hotel--cute sheriff yes?

La Casa de Estudillo
This shows half of the front wing.  The place is huge, dominated by a large central courtyard and a large walled garden beyond.  Built in 1827 by Jose Antonio Estudillo and his brother-in-law Juan Bandini.  They were one of the wealthier families.

Santee Lakes, Santee, CA:  Spent the day at the San Diego Zoo today, which did not disappoint.  The habitats are clean and large.  The animals all look like they are shampooed and brushed every day.  The land the zoo sits on comprises three canyons.  Lots of up and down walking, but they have two areas where they have motorized walkways for the steep uphill areas.  And they have busses that are accessible in several areas.  Getting around was confusing sometimes.  We had a great lunch at Albert’s Restaurant high up in the park.  Started out cloudy this morning with temps in the 60s.  Cleared up for a while, but when we left it was even cloudier by the coast.  When we got back to Santee though, the clouds were gone, as if by magic.  All in all, the zoo was great, but the St. Louis Zoo runs a close second.  The San Diego Zoo costs $40 each.  The St. Louis Zoo is FREE.  Need I say more?

Topiary at the zoo entrance

Beautiful peacock

One of the pandas

Adorable koala

Elephant habitat