These are pictures from Joshua Tree national park, east of Los Angeles. I went there with my friend Michael and his guest Gernot, both from Austria. A beautiful place, the Joshua trees are quite special indeed. More pictures here.
Most of the MBA class joined up to visit a vineyard in Silicon Valley (they are not all in Nappa!), and one of the best ones: Ridge in Mountain View.
Then I went to the south for 2 days, cruising from Irvine towards San Diego. Great beaches but otherwise...
This is where they make Baywatch (looks the same at least...)
And then came the big tour, driving from San Diego all the way to San Francisco along the famous highway #1. The part between Santa Barbara and Monterey is the important part - simply stunning untouched landscape. Always a fresh breeze from the Pacific; full of kelp, seals and whales (which I failed to see). Breathtaking views into bays, up and down mountains, across pastures, along hills and even some first redwood trees. More pictures here.
And then there was Heart castle: an unbelievable castle built by the first media billionaire from H at ollywood. Absolutely everything has been bought in Europe: tiles, windows, doors, ceilings, fire places, fronts, panels, furniture. Lavish. And a view to die for. Has been visited by just about anybody important at the time: scientists, politicians, heads of state, artists, ... Built in the 20s in an empty place. More pictures here.
