LA to San Diego to LAX

Now in Washington DC; arrived around midnight last night after a fairly average flight from Los Angeles. Staying at Donovan House (a Thompson hotel). It seems to be the DC place to be at the moment - various American Idol people were wandering around last night when we arrived.

LAX has not improved since last time I flew from there in 2002 - still a very painful airport to leave. Our carry-on bags excited some interest, and for some reason they ran my bag through 4 times. And then let it through without actually going through anything inside it. Anyway, we almost missed our plane. V stressful.

A late start on Monday... M went to a work meeting in an LA outer suburb then was very late back - I was pretty irritated. After another Gordon Ramsay restaurant breakfast (very good again) headed off for a quick cruise down Hollywood Boulevard (we didn't stop or get out, but I did see a few stars on the boulevard while driving - and felt no compulsion to see more. Oh and there was some guy dressed up as batman). Headed on to the freeways and drove towards San Diego. My first US proper freeway experience for some years - it was actually quite fun once I settled into it. The Mustang was made for freeway driving.

Arrived in San Diego and headed to S and R's house - they live in suburbia about 20 minutes from downtown. Fascinating to spend some time in an American suburb, rather than the inner-city life we normally see on holiday. We headed down to meet R after work in La Jolla - a really nice seaside suburb. Had some great Mexican food, then a walk around La Jolla. After that, S took M and I on a mega-tourist spree. In a few hours we wandered around Balboa Park (beautiful museums and nice gardens - a great place to be on a summer evening), then a drive to Coronado Island - a cute area with great views (including over to Mexico) and the amazing-looking old Hotel del Coronado. Followed by ice-cream and tequila with S and R. In the morning, S made a great breakfast then we hung out for a while, then hit the road back towards LA. Was great to see S and R and the kids (I and B) - they've been back in the USA for a few months now. The kids are adorable and I taught me hopscotch. She's starting to get an American accent on some words!

Making good time on the way back to LAX, so dropped by Newport Beach to relive my memories of the OC (particularly Season One). Parked near the Newport Beach Yacht Club and went for a wander. Very upmarket and glamorous - and self-contained - it reminded me of Brighton. And also of Rachel Bilson.

Then a mad rush to make our plane for DC.