So we finally left at about 3.30pm, picked up lunch from a local Deli and ate it in the car itself. And we were on our way only at 4pm.

We made it not-so-fast because 101 was jam packed. At least until we passed Morgan Hill/Gilroy area. And then we were truly on our way.

We reached at about 7.30pm and checked in to the hotel. The room was cute, and there were truly three different beds (as opposed to two beds and a pullout sofa). The hotel had a lot of nice amenities but first of all we reached late and it was dark, and second of all, it was wet and rainy, so we could not really enjoy the amenities like putting green, badminton court, pool, etc.

We rested for a bit and headed out to the local entertainment scene. We wanted to chill for a bit and then go for some dinner. We went to what the hotel receptionist said was the life of Pismo, Harry’s Bar and Nightclub. It was not bad, but it just felt like some other country. People there seemed to know each other and looked like they were all regulars. So we hung out there for a little bit and then headed out for some dinner. It was about 9.45pm and we were shocked to see most of the places were shut!

Being a beach town, the highlight of most restaurants was sea food, so our best bet for getting veggie choice was only Italian. So we found a couple of them, called and found that one of them was open till 10 and rushed to the place.

Don’t know why, but the place was already closed down. Ended up going to a regular American place opposite. The food was not bad. We liked it, stuffed ourselves and headed to the hotel. We chatted for a bit and decided to leave a little early to ride some ATV’s (all terrain vehicles) at the local sand dunes. And then maybe go to Hearst Castle if we can get reservations on the tour.

So next morning we woke up, got ready and went to breakfast. There we also called and checked if we could get ATV’s for rent. We were told yes, so we went to the beach and signed up for the ATV’s. It was cold and cloudy and yet, none of us raised that as a potential problem! We were all so pumped up to do it. By the time we got on to the ATV’s, it was raining and the sand was of course wet. But we stuck on and had a fanstastic time riding it. It took about 15-20 minutes to get used to it and from then it was just too much fun.

I was able to do two ‘wheelies’ jumping off a small dune! I felt so good especially with the second one, because it was a high and long one. What a rush!

Went back to the hotel, showered and got ready to go to Hearst Castle. We got bookings for the 3.20pm tour and it was about 60-90 minutes drive so we had a deadline to meet. Picked up pizza for lunch and went to Hearst Castle.

Driving to Hearst Castle, we were able to do one more thing - drive on route 1 - Pacific Coast Highway. It was beautiful because for some time, the sun actually came out, and the colors of the Pacific Ocean were just brilliant. We actually got tired of seeing the green hills with so much fog at the top of the hill. It was beyond beautiful.

Hearst Castle tour was frankly speaking ok. It was raining and windy. It was cold. The castle was ok. I think it is a little bit overrated. But then I feel the same way about most ‘buildings’. Sad that the wife has exact opposite feelings :-) She was amazed with the tiles, to which my comment was ‘They are blue and brown, so what is so special?’ But it was worth going there and seeing it at least once.

And from there we headed home. In the middle, I drove what has to be the most dangerous 15-mile stretch I have ever driven in my life. It was absolutely dark highway (highway 46 between 1 and 101), dense fog, rain and a single lane highway, with possibly a deep cliff on the side. I don’t know how I made it but it was totally exciting. Thank goodness (BIG thanks) for the reflectors in the middle of the road, on the yellow lines. If not for them, I would have had to pull over and let the fog disappear, because there was no way to drive without those markers to guide me. And luckily for me, there was another car on the back with fog lamps (we didn’t have fog lamps) so we felt some company or else it would have been a great scene for a horror movie. And guess what was being discussed in the car at that time - ghost stories from childhood! :-)

Anyway, came to Sunnyvale, had dinner at Ghazal and returned the car and ended the vacation there. The weekend is not yet over, at least not for me. I plan to relax on Monday and get ready for some local work from next week onwards.