Days 5-6: LA to San Diego - I awoke in Malibu on my birthday (deliberately - we were camping there) on a beautifully hot sunny day. It was already baking at 9am. Our first stop of the day was the Getty Center (Educational centre) located in the foothills of Santa Monica Mountains for views over LA, as well as a look at a cactus and central garden. At 881 ft above sea level our means of getting to the top was via a tram ride. The tram, more like a horizontal elevator was very quick and precise. From there we travelled to San Diego, which was approx 100 miles away heading on arrival to Mission Beach to relax and soak up some sun. In the evening I was treated to a surprise birthday cake at the camp meal. I had a really great birthday, but I like surprises like this too! :-)

Day 6 was spent in San Diego visiting the Gaslamp Quarter, the Seaport Village and eventually because it was so hot via a trolley ride, the market stalls and beach at Mission Beach again. Afterwards we visited the Old Town (State Park), which was absolutely fantastic and reputedly haunted though I didn't see anything particularly spooky except for a strange reflection in a window! ;-) For longer stays there is the San Diego Zoo and Seaworld but there was no time on this visit to fit those in too, as you would need a day for each

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