The O.C

I needed to think fast today and decide what I could fill my day doing given my Tijuana tour was a bust. I checked out the brochures in the hotel lobby and settled on discovering Orange County’s best beaches. That is, Newport beach, Huntington beach, and I’d try for Laguna beach if I had time. I ended up sleeping in til 10.30am, as I was utterly exhausted from my big day at Disneyland the day before, with my feet still slightly burning. I eventually got myself together, and headed for the bus. It was a much cooler day today and overcast, which was a shame, given I was to spend the day at the beach. Anywhoo. I got to the bus station only to realize I was on the wrong side of the road. I am seriously struggling with getting myself on the right side of the road for where I want to go. I’m sure it’ll become second nature in a couple of weeks.

I got myself to Newport harbor after a freakin’ nightmare of a bus trip. The bus systems and timetables are so dam confusing, I’m not at all surprised now why so many people in Southern California drive and not take public transport. I eventually managed to get myself to Newport Beach and I have to say it is a nice beach and a very rich area. Just checking out the car park that was full of beamers, Mercs, etc was enough evidence. Upon reaching Newport Beach I was hoping for someone to say to me, ‘Welcome to the O.C, bitch’ ala The OC TV show, but no such luck! After a quick wrecky of Newport harbor I headed for Huntington Beach, which has been registered for the last few years as ‘Surf City USA’. I was very keen to check out Huntington Beach, the birthplace of the surfing culture in the US. I FINALLY to the bus system happening for me and got off in Main Street opposite the beach front of Huntington Beach. What struck me was how similar it is to Manly Beach. Blonde beach babes (‘so I was like, like you know, like), and surfer dudes. The Duke is revered here as evident in the fact that Dukes restaurant was on the beach front. The only other Dukes restaurant exists in Hawaii.

I checked out the International Surfing Museum. It was not so interesting (not so ‘international’), but did only cost a buck. I got chatting to the owner and he ended up handing me over $20 for me to send him a bottle of Aussie sand to add to his sand collection. I said I would. I checked out the Huntington Beach pier, which in typical American style has a fast food joint at the end of it – Ruby’s Diner. The surf around the pier was pumping and heaps of surfers were out at 6pm when I was there. I dropped by the Candy store I bought up a stack of Big League Chew (yes David, for you) and headed back.

By the time I got back it was pretty late so I succumbed to Maccas for the first time on the trip, just down the road from the hotel. I couldn’t get my usual 6 pack- o-nuggets as it only comes with 10…shocked. I’m hoping all my walking will stop the food baby I’m bound to get.

What I learnt about Orange County today:

• The bus system is dam frustrating (massively complicated), but on the plus side, you can get a day pass for 3 bucks from the OCTA.
• The term ‘Maccas’ means nothing to the Americans I met, it should be called ‘Micca-dees’.
• Hulk Hogan and his son are the main news on the TV at the moment. I’m talking just as much as who the future president will be. Yikes.
• The Orange County we see on TV shows etc is really a teeny tiny part of the area.

Main Street opposite Huntington Beach. Each Tuesday night they hold a Surf Festival on the streets.

The International Surfing Museum at Huntington Beach. That's most of it!

The Huntington Beach Surfing Wall of Fame along Main St.

Huntington Beach pier at dusk

One of the famous Lifeguard towers on Huntington Beach. One can only assume the sand mound exitsts to make it easier to get out of the tower (??).