Well, after a wonderful dinner of Asian fusion food... and sleeping very comfortably in this ritzy place... we woke to a pleasant morning. This place is on quite a gorgeous plot of land... and it is full of little nooks and crannies.... hidden gardens with tropical plants... and these lovely palm-fern type trees that I instantly fell in love with.

They are called: Hāpu'u ferns.... and they are awesome.

After walking around for a short while... we made our way to Manhattan Beach. We had seen a Diners, Drive-ins and Dives episode featuring the North End Cafe there... and I really wanted to check it out. It was very cool... and the coffee and beignets were to die for. Seriously. I hadn't had one since we went to New Orleans back in 1991.

Anyway. The cafe is just a short walk to the ocean.... so how could we help but be drawn there?!

After a couple hours in heaven.... we got back on the road and traveled thru farm/ wine/ orange growing country to Chico, CA... where our friend was living. Oh... and did I mention that a few of the almond groves were blooming>!

the Stats:

food: $60

gas: $60

lodging in Chico: $80