Travel: California

I’ve always been a big California fan and — luckily enough — part of my family lives there. Because of that I’ve been able to go there quite often. This year I decided to head back for a roadtrip to see Yosemite Park, and plenty more.

The first part was a trip down the Pacific Coast Highway, during which I made a few stops to see architectural landmarks such as the Getty Center and the Neutra VDL Studio near Los Angeles. After that I met up with my friend Billy, and we drove to Yosemite Park in his pick-up truck. The idea simply was to enjoy the incredible views and to stop at some nice camping spots when we could. We spent 3 days there.

It’s a magnifcent place, with surreal landscapes full of waterfalls, valleys and trails. It’s easy to see why it’s so popular with international tourists and Americans alike. And obviously, there’s El Capitan, a favorite in the mountain climbing community. The park is easily accessible and there are enough places where you can set up camp, find shelter, light a fire and cook your food. There are bears around, so it’s important to protect and lock away your food though.

We went to Lake Tahoe, where Billy’s family lives, and then we set out for the Willow Springs Raceway, which is the fastest racing circuit in the States. There we were able to participate in some races with vintage race cars. The combination of those cars, the circuit in the middle of the desert and the people there really made it a crazy experience. It felt like we’d taken a timemachine to the 1960s. We ended our trip in the city of Palm Springs, where the colours and architecture also make you feel like you’re in a very different era.

It’s almost impossible to select only one, because California has such a diverse, rich environment to offer. From the Palm Springs desert to the snowy mountains near Mammoth Lakes. During the road trip, it was incredible to see the scenery change so often, around every corner there was a brand new backdrop waiting. However, I think the view going from Malibu to the Pacific Coast Highway offered a perfect snapshot. The ocean on one side, the mountains on the other, separated by the highway at sundown.

I’ve always been into the Red Hot Chili Peppers, a band that is very Californian. Though their songs sometimes deal with things like drugs, addiction and other heavy topics, there’s always an undertone of hope and courage there too. Their sound goes well with the California I know. Then again, country music is huge in California, so I’d choose “White Horse” by Chris Stapleton. It’s a song I discovered while I was there and listened to a lot. And a smell — again, it’s hard to pick one. I have to say that the first thing that comes to mind is the smell of asphalt in the sun. It’s a very peculiar smell and the sun is omnipresent in California, so it really stuck with me.

Definitely. I miss the wide open landscapes that go as far as the eye can see, and the unique feeling of liberty that comes with that. Or just being near the ocean, with its breeze, in that typical Californian sunlight.

I’d recommend seeing the Getty Center in the North of Los Angeles, its architecture, location and views are amazing. Some of the Case Study houses in the area are open to the public, as well as the Neutra VDL Studio and the Schindler House. As for coffee, in Los Angeles I really enjoyed Maru Coffee, and in Venice Beach I found a cool little restaurant and café called Great White. I don’t know that many hotels as I usually stay with my family, but the Surfrider in Malibu is incredible. It’s right by the ocean, across the street from the famous Surfrider beach, close to the Malibu Pier. An amazing location.