Day 434-436: Jesusit & Arroyo Burro Trails // Shoemaker Brothers, Bob Golub, Savory Cafe & LA Kings Hockey!

Views from the Arroyo Burro Trail

 

Day #434 * Hike #489 * New Track #444
Sunday January 22, 2012
Jesusit & Arroyo Burro Trails - Santa Barbara
My Tripometer: 1 Hours * 3.25 Miles * +550 Feet

Jesisit Trailhead

Soccer was canceled again, but it was a beautiful weekend day -- perfect for a good hike!  I decided to head back to Santa Barbara with Sammi and we chose the Jesusit Trail.

Directions:
From the 101 Freeway in Santa Barbara, exit on Las Positas Road and head North toward the mountains.  After you pass State Street, Las Positas becomes San Roque Road.  Continue up San Roque and about a half mile past Foothill (192) the trailhead will be on your left.  This is just past the water treatment plant.  If you continue further, you will see Lauro Reservoir on your right.  If you see this, turn around and head back.  Although the lake is a cool visual, there is no public trail access up here.  

Shaded trail in mostly good condition 

Sammi found the water

From the trailhead you will descend easily to the San Roque Creek.  After the hike I found a quick website that gives a good description and trail map of the area: Jesusit Trail to Inspiration Point.

Trail junction at ~about 1 Mile

Because I was jogging, I did not pay attention to these signs.  I actually took this picture on my way back just after the creek crossing (before the creek crossing if you are heading from the trailhead on San Roque).  Apparently, I continue straight across the creek and began trekking along the Arroyo Burro Trail.  The Jesusit Trail actually turns right at the fork.  --After the creek, the Arroyo Burro Trail elevates higher to a road.  The road goes three different directions. 

Take the High Road (1/2 mile +325 feet or so)

 Hazy Day but panoramic views of Santa Barbara and the Great Pacific

 In formation

The dirt trail picks up just after this house

The Arroyo Burro continues (begins) here

 No shade

"This Land is Protected Forever"

The real adventure begins about a half mile down the single track trail (~1.5 miles from San Roque Road), but this is where I turned around.  I was jogging and on a mission to journey for only an hour.  My plan for today was to head back to Ventura, meet up with my wife and catch a movie.  This area was really neat and I can easily plan at least two more hikes to complete the two trails...

Day #434 * Hike #490 * Duplicate Track
Sunday January 22, 2012
Downtown Ventura
My Tripometer: 4 Hours * 1.5 Miles * +50 Feet

After the movie, Jess and I wandered around Ventura.  Our first notable stop was at the Savory Cafe and Bakery.  There we met with owner Andres Fernandez.  He has owned this location for nearly two years and plans to refurbish the spot into a NY style deli.  He reigns from Cuba and lived in NY City for many years.

Andres treated us with class as we sampled his homemade bagels and cream cheese.  Mmmm so good!  Jess was craving a red velvet cupcake.  We ordered two minis with a mocha.  Andres also treated us with a red velvet tea cake (half eaten in the picture above)... SO GOOD!  http://www.savorycafeventura.com/

We learned that Andres also owns the Ventura Harbor Comedy Club and Andres Wine & Tapas Bar in the Ventura Harbor.  We have been to the Comedy Club many times and definitely enjoyed our time.  Andres is a comedian and after talking with him, I recalled seeing him perform last year.  --On our recent trip to San Diego we met comedian Bob Golub in the Jacuzzi  at the Four Points Sheraton http://bobgolub.com/

Small world, Bob told us how he was in the movie Goodfellas and often performed at the Ventura Comedy Club.  Sure enough, Andres knew him well.  --I foresee future ventures with these guys...

City Hall (along our tour of Downtown Ventura)

Walking the streets of Ventura, Jess got to thinking that there are many unknowns in Ventura.  Ideas arose to establish a video review of Ventura (a work in progress).  We continued to walk up and down Main Street and found a Hawaiian Store on one of the side roads.  The owner explained that he had been collecting Hawaiian shirts his entire life.  For the past two years, he has been selling his collection.  Shirts range from $10 to $5k!  If you are going to Hawaii or are planning a local luau, you may want to stop by to purchase an authentic Hawaiian wardrobe.

 The Watermark

Shoemaker Brothers

 

As the sun began to head lower, we continued toward the prestigious Watermark Restaurant.  On the top floor, the sound of great, unique live music filtering over the town was undeniable.  It was the Shoemaker Brothers!  We had seen them perform at Bombays many months ago.  Truly, they are a great talent!  http://www.shoerock.com/

Violins, guitars, violas, piano, drums; each brother sings and plays all instruments

The day concludes with a beignet at BJ's (in Oxnard)

Day #435 * Hike #491 * New Track #445
Monday January 23, 2012
L.A. Kings - Staples Center
My Tripometer: ~ Hours * 2 Miles * +50 Feet

 From the Drive Thru at In & Out

(We've been eating out a lot lately$!)

 Our first visit to Staples

 I snapped this pic and a the Kings scored their first goal!

Going to a hockey game has been a life long aspiration for Jess.  This surprise was part of her 30th Birthday Special.  Myself, I've never been to Staples either.  --The day was gloomy with rain but by evening it had cleared out.  Though chilly, we wandered a good mile on the outside before entering the arena. 

Ayden and I toured all the levels inside Staples, and then he disappeared!  I ran around the entire arena a couple more times before I finally found him.  Crazy kid!  Kings won 4-1 over Ottawa!  Great game, fun times. 

Looking ahead, the temperature by Wednesday could hit 90 degrees!!!  Gotta love California!!!  I think I could live here... So glad I moved from Cleveland a decade ago, but don't get me wrong, as I write this I am wearing a Cavaliers shirt.  I know where my heart is!

Day #436 * Hike #492 * New Track #446
Tuesday January 24, 2012
Santa Rosa Loop Trail - Thousand Oaks
Wildwood Park
My Tripometer: ~2 Hours * 6 Miles * +1,000 Feet

I first trekked this trail on Day 2 of my adventures.  At the time, I wandered into the dark and wasn't exactly sure where I was going to end up.  Today, I noticed the entire loop trail on Nobodyhikesla.com and completed the entire loop.  Although chilly and slightly muddy on the lower trail, the switchback leading up was good and I jogged most of it.  My legs are sore but it was an accomplishment worth doing.  Warmer temperatures and good hiking ahead for the rest of the week...