This is our last driving day of the trip and we'll be headed more inland. We'll make a stop in Santa Barbara about 1 1/2 hours from Pismo Beach and then another at the Ronald Reagan Library which is an hour or so from there and then finally in Valley Village, PA where we will spend the next four nights. so the drive is at least nicely broken up.
Santa Barbara is called America's Riviera because of its beautiful Mediterranean climate and homes. I was surprised to read that it only has 88,000 people since I thought it was larger. The city is also known for its restaurants, great variety, lots of fresh seafood, lots of wine from nearby wineries. Sounds like we should spend more time here.
Butt the main reason is to visit the
Queen of the Missions, Mission Santa Barbara, established in 1786. This mission was built in 1820 replacing earlier buildings destroyed in an 1812 earthquake and they say the interior of the church looks as it did back then.
Historically the church has served as a pro-cathedral a couple of times as the Vatican split up California. Because of this distinction, it is the only Mission in California with two bell towers. This special architectural feature was restricted to a cathedral church. Spain lost California to Mexico in 1822 and for a time the Mexican government took over the missions from the church. With the gold rush in 1848, California became part of the US and in 1865 good old Abe Lincoln returned the mission properties to the Catholic Church.
Twenty one missions were established in California over 64 years in the first New Evangelization which was very successful. Find out more about these missions
here
Then its off to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library atop a hill in Simi Valley California. Its the largest of the presidential libraries and the final resting place of Ronald Reagan, our 40th president. The library holds all of the presidential papers, lots of exhibits, artifacts and other cool stuff for us presidential buffs. It has a replica of the Oval Office like most presidential libraries, but uniquely has the Air Force One Pavilion holding a retired jetliner that you get to go through. Very cool.
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| Five Presidents Attended the Opening |
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| Oval Office |
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| Air Force One |
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| Berlin Wall |
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| Hilltop Site |
Then its off to our home in Studio City. This one will give us a little more room and we'll be able to relax in the pool or hot tub. Its conveniently located north of LA and will give us access to the places we will visit over the next couple of days. It will be good to put down some roots for awhile.
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| Pool |
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| Dining Area |
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| Living Room |
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| Hot Tub |
This is our last driving day of the trip and we'll be headed more inland. We'll make a stop in Santa Barbara about 1 1/2 hours from Pismo Beach and then another at the Ronald Reagan Library which is an hour or so from there and then finally in Valley Village, PA where we will spend the next four nights. so the drive is at least nicely broken up.
Historically the church has served as a pro-cathedral a couple of times as the Vatican split up California. Because of this distinction, it is the only Mission in California with two bell towers. This special architectural feature was restricted to a cathedral church. Spain lost California to Mexico in 1822 and for a time the Mexican government took over the missions from the church. With the gold rush in 1848, California became part of the US and in 1865 good old Abe Lincoln returned the mission properties to the Catholic Church. 
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