Leaving Solvang to Wasco,CA

The next day we were leaving Solvang and we have visited also Los Olivos in the charming Santa Ynez Valley

This charming historic town of 1,000 residents is located in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley. Recognized for its expansive views in the center of Santa Barbara's 50 wineries and horse ranches, it is a rewarding and relaxing village to visit.
Los Olivos
is noted for its eclectic art galleries, wine tasting, unique shopping, epicurean restaurant opportunities, antiques and generally friendly populace.
Many of the downtown and residential buildings date back one-hundred years when Los Olivos was served by a stage line and the Pacific Coast Railway. Our historical ambiance is preserved by a Victorian architectural overlay.

Old olive trees are growing in between the vineyards

Nice geometric field structures to see towards the Santa Maria Valley

Santa Maria Valley

As much as rocky coastlines and golden hillsides conjure up visions of California, the sight of sprawling vineyards bring to mind the state's unique landscape. It is no surprise that wine grapes have become Santa Barbara County's first-ranked agricultural crop, with 19,000 acres of vineyards spanning 50 miles of scenic countryside. Though area wineries produce numerous superb vintages, many experts and critics consider Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah to be among the best in the world.
There are many ways to savor Santa Maria Valley wines. A favorite way is to enjoy wine tasting on the beautiful Santa Maria Valley Wine Trail.

The Santa Maria Valley possesses the rare geographic feature of being an east-west running valley. This valley channels cool ocean air into the region, creating mild temperatures year-round. The area is also blessed with a growing season that is approximately four weeks longer than most other California wine growing regions. The unusually long growing season and cool summer temperatures combine for slow maturation and long "hangtime" of the grapes. In addition, the Santa Maria Valley has porous, extremely well drained soil which restricts vine vigor and forces the plant to focus its energy on fruit development. The result of all of these factors is more intensely flavored and well-balanced wines.

A "Welcome" sign to taste the vine in the Santa Maria Valley Vineyards

Grape vine everywhere - it makes a very nice pattern too

We arrived at the coast close to Pismo Beach

Why do the Californian people build their houses so far out to the edges?

After the beach the road went up again over the hills into other vineyards

Welcome to El Paso de Robles, or "Pass of the Oaks", a community of 29,950 nestled in the coastal mountain range of central California, where the values and riches of the past are interwoven with the future. Located close to mountains, beaches, and deserts, it is home to one of the United States’ greatest wine growing areas and a growing number of hot springs resorts.

Zinfandel producers and enthusiasts come together for a weekend of wine in March, food and celebration of California's heritage variety.
http://www.prcity.com/

The City of Paso Robles has a long history with both wine and healing waters. Situated midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, it is also a gateway to thriving metropolitan areas north, south and east.

We had to change from 101 to #46 to get to Wasco - our next goal for the evening. But before arriving in Wasco we had to pass this steep road up to the Lost Hills.

On This Very Spot on September 30, 1955, James Dean was traveling east on Route 46 on his way to race his Porsche at the Salinas, California airport. Donald Turnupseed, a student at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, was traveling in the opposite direction in his white 1950 Ford Custom Tudor coupe. Turnupseed crossed the center line to go northeast on Route 41, apparently failing to see Dean's grey car in the gathering dusk. At 5:45 p.m., the two cars collided nearly head-on, and Dean was killed instantly. Dean had received a speeding ticket around Bakersfield, but whether he was speeding at the time of the accident is uncertain. No charges were filed against Turnupseed. Just days before, James Dean had taped a television public service announcement on safe driving.

Going up the hills we have seen such beautiful landscapes like these hills in their amazing pastel colors of purple, yellow and soft green...

...or this pretty geometric patterns and the different greens

... or these long purple shadows of the trees

The first oil drilling were appearing - and people working hard in the strawberry fields

We arrived finally in Lost Hills

The town is at the intersection of State Route 46 and Lost Hills Road. The enormous Lost Hills Oil Field, which is sixth largest by remaining reserves in California, is west and northwest of town, extending about ten miles (16 km) along the range of low hills for which the town was named.

Down in the flat was Wasco located, where we stayed for the night on a truck stop. In the pictures you see the pink blooming almond trees

Once named "Dewey" and also "Deweyville", the City was renamed to "Wasco" in 1900. The proposal to rename the city came from a settler, William Bonham, from Wasco County, Oregon, who recognized that the name "Deweyville" was already in use.
One of Wasco's major economic centers is its agriculture, specifically in the growing of roses. 55% of all roses grown in the United States are grown in or around Wasco.


Hi my friends,

Thanks again for all the wonderful comments, I appreciate that very much!
Stay tuned for the next etappes of our travels!
Soon we will arrive in "Viva Las Vegas" :))

Susanne and David