Cruising in the Big Sur

California (CA) is my fav area in the US. It never disappoints: great weather, beautiful landscapes, relaxed vibe and good food.

Some time ago we did a road trip along the Big Sur. 

Our trip started in Newport Beach and ended in San Francisco. It took us 3 days. 

Things to do:

•        Have seafood in Malibu.

•        Stop in Santa Barbara, enjoy the beach and explore downtown.

Santa Barbara Pier

Santa Barbara Pier

•       Visit the magnificent Hearst Castle When we went there we spotted Martin Short, he was also visiting with his family.

Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle

•       Stop to check the views.

Big Sur

Big Sur friends

•      Have dinner in one of my fav Japanese restaurants in the US (My times of crappy Chinese all you can eat sushi ended when I started having a truly Japanese food experience).

Akaoni

Akaoni

Akaoni

Akaoni

Akaoni

•      Go to Pfeiffer State Park. It has amazing views.

Pfeiffer State Park

•   CaféBrazil gives you a truly Brazilian experience, even the service is (ultra) slow. I recommend the fruit juices, coxinha de galinha and moqueca de peixe.
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  Santa Cruz

  

  Santa Cruz

•        End the trip with a great bahn mi sandwich in San Francisco. The place is a hole in the wall but the bahn mi is delicious.

If you are going there, take me with you! 

Deep South Road Trip

Trip Map

New Orleans is one of my favorite cities in the US. It’s a very unique and fascinating city, a mix of European, Caribbean and African influences.

New Orleans

We flew to N. Orleans and we spent 2 days exploring the city.

Thing to do:

- Walk in the French Quarter. It’s the city’s cultural hub. The colonial style architecture is truly amazing.  There you can find several restaurants and shops. There is an open – air market, one of the oldest public market buildings in the US, where you can buy some souvenirs. We bought a magnet.

Souvenir, Magnet

- Have at least one beignet and a café au lait in Café du Monde. A city’s landmark. 

New Orleans

- Grab a po boy at Johnny's Po-Boys and go to a jazz club. Check Bourbon St. if you are into nightlife. 

New Orleans

- Take a streetcar ($1,25) and enjoy the views along St Charles Avenue. You’ll see well preserved and magnificent Victorian style mansions. And beautiful live oaks, some are more than 100 y/o.

Mississippi

- Take the ferry to Algiers and enjoy the Mississippi views. There you’ll find a charming and quiet neighborhood with small restored houses.

New Orleans

- Have lunch or dinner at Cochon. Book in advanceIf you prefer a lighter or cheaper version try the Cochon Butcher (sandwiches). 

Cochon, Southern Food

If you are willing to add some outdoor adventure to your trip there is a national park unit around N. Orleans, the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. 

Aquatic vegetation

 There is a boardwalk which makes the trek very easy. The aquatic vegetation is impressive and if you are lucky you can see some alligators. We saw a few.

Wildlife

Wildlife

Alligator

Because we love to maximize our time visiting as many places as possible, and we had some time because it was spring break, we took this opportunity to travel around.

Trip Planning

Mobile Alabama

Quick stop to

- Check architecture

- Eat oysters

Mobile, Alabama

Biloxi

Not much to see, unless you are a gambler. In that case you have many casinos to try your luck.

Biloxi

Dolphin Island

Take a ferry 

We just did a short stop to have lunch, BBQ. And enjoy the views. 

Dolphin Islands

Pensacola Beach

Things to do

- Enjoy the white sand beach

- Explore the Gulf Islands National Shore, there you can see turtles and armadillos

- Enjoy fresh fish

Gulf Islands National Shore

Pensacola Beach

Baton Rouge

Just stop if you want to check the State Capitol.

State Capitol

Donaldsonville Plantations

Before you visit the plantations learn more about slavery in the River Road African American Museum in Donaldsonville. We tried to do that but the museum was closed. Check the schedule here 

Donaldsonville downtown looks like an abandoned city. But it has some interest because it feels like you are in the seventies. We went to a grocery and it was weird.

Donaldsonville

There are many plantations that you can visit. But be aware that some are tourist traps: guides and actors dressing thematic clothes and no Historic explanations or plantation visits.

On our way back to New Orleans we had lunch at Petunia's Place. It's simple homemade style food.