LAX to Santa Barbara

The flight went smoothly. We had enough room to move about and I stretched out in some empty seats for a sleep.

The class of travel wasn't quite as good as a Premium Economy on Qantas (but it has been several years since we've travelled with them). The food was tasty, but the same as in economy class. No cloth napkins or real cutlery. We were very happy with the extra room, though. The staff were wonderful, especially when my youngest fell ill during the flight. They looked after her well, sitting with her and placing her on oxygen. Thank you! 

We arrived into a thick sea fog, and the aircraft auto landed, with the runway lights only visible at about 20 feet! I was amazed to see the fog lit up from below by the city lights - an incredibly beautiful and strange sight. 

I was very happy to arrive at the newly refurbished Tom Bradley terminal. For as long as I've been coming to America, I've arrived and departed from the same, sad, featureless terminal, where the highlight was sitting in the restaurant watching the planes arrive and depart with a cold beer in hand. Now there is a new, slick terminal, with quick (read: no long transit up and down and round and round through odd corridors) access to an improved immigration point. Huge hurrah. 

We were through quickly, onto the Alamo bus, and into our Chevy Suburban without hassle. Usually we turn up and they try to upsell to a different type of car. This time, all smooth. It was great to get what we actually wanted. 

Out into the traffic with our trusted GPS, and off to the Camarillo Outlet mall, north west of LA, off the Ventura Freeway. Traffic was heavy at that time of day, but we still arrived we'll before anything but Carls Jnr was open. So, second breakfast was burgers and fries, and then into the shops.

Despite the dollar being down a little since our last visit, the prices are still amazing. We all had fun shopping today; finding styles, sizes and prices to suit. 

Another 40 minutes down the road to our accommodation at Santa Barbara, Brisas del Mar. 

Check in was easy and our rooms were spacious, next to each other, and pleasant. We opted for a nap, which was short but refreshing enough for us all to be able to enjoy dinner. 

We walked down towards the beach in the encroaching sea fog, and checked out the restaurants along the pier. We chose the eat at Moby Dick's on the pier. Great staff, lovely food, fine entertainment. A very enjoyable night. 

On the walk home, we spied locals playing baseball under lights, and watched a few innings. It was wonderful to feel a little more attached to regular life in the USA.