Gambel House, San Ysidro Ranch, Hearst Castle

Tuesday
March 22

Those of you who know me well know that houses especially old ones,

have always held a special fascination for me.

The Gambel Hose in Pasadena is one of those.

Built in 1908 in just 8 months

 for one of the founders of Proctor and Gambel as a winter home.

No photos were allowed of the inside on the tour 

but you can find pictures online.

The wood is all teak. 

The incredible  Craftsman Arts and Crafts detail

shows you got a lot for your money in 1908.

The home was built for a cost of $50K, 

designed by architect brothers Greene and Greene.

A lovely Pasadena morning with weather clear enough to see the surrounding mountains.

That evening spent the night at the 

Dockweiler RV Park right at the water's edge 

in Playa del Rey

The next morning on the PCH  (Pacific Coast Highway) 

north toward Santa Barbara

San Ysidro Ranch is in the toney little village of Montecito 

in the hills above Santa Barbara

I have been wanting to see it since I learned years ago that

JFK and Jacqui honeymooned in a cottage here in 1953.

It was also a favorite hangout of Nancy Reagan.

So I made a reservation for lunch for a single.

I was seated in their outdoor patio area overlooking the mountains 

with the rest of the beautiful people.

Ordered their signature cocktail, a Blood Orange Margarita.

 Delicious. I've spent $17 in worse ways.

Sipping my drink I listen to the couple at the table to my left discussing a movie script.

The dating couple on my right order and their lunch appears while my order has yet to be taken.

It's been almost 20 minutes and I seem to be invisible. Is this a subtle message they don't welcome single diners?  For a change I am in a dress and sans baseball cap. I made an effort.

I could have called my waiter over,

 but decided to see just how far this would go. I would give them five more minutes. 

Just then my waiter stops by and asks if I would like to order even tho my guest hasn't appeared.

I said I was alone and he was appropriately apologetic saying the hostess said I was waiting for someone.  A miscommunication apparently. 
 I ordered a great seafood melt sandwich and salad $22,

and when the bill came they had comped me the $17 Margarita!  All is forgiven.

Driving up beautiful Highway 1

 another shock at the gas pumps

 near Morrow Bay.

It's our boutique blend of gasoline here in California

that has additives that make it safe for the environment.

We're told.

The beautiful California coastline near San Simeon rivals even that of Florida.

Sorry, Bob

Driving in the shuttle up to Hearst Castle I'm surprised at how green the hills are

thanks to recent rains. But the drought isn't over yet.

All of the pools and fountains at the Castle were dry because of the drought.

library

The last time I visited Hearst Castle 20 or so years ago, 

Hearst's upstairs private living quarters were not open to the public. Today they are .

His upstairs apartments have a dining room

for those intimate dinners

 but doesn't seat as many people as the main dining room downstairs.

Architect Julia Morgan's touches are everywhere particularly in the beautiful ceilings.

To see a miniature Hearst Castle visit 

the Berkeley City Club, designed by Morgan as a writer's retreat for women in the 1920s. 

It's open to the public and is a hotel on the

 Register of Historic Places

Hearst's bedroom had many family photos 

and was right next door to girlfriend

Marion Davies room.

Hearst and his wife were separated but never divorced as she would have been ostracized from polite 1920s society and the stigma might even have included his children whom he adored.

I asked if she ever visited Hearst Castle and was told yes, but she had to give several weeks notice for Hearst and Marion could clear out.

It was good to see again the fabulous European artifacts collected by this brilliant man.