View of Ventura, California

After a few memorable hours in L.A. traffic, I finally got on 101 heading north. I exited at Ventura, Calif., for "visitor information" and spotted "scenic route" signs, which led me up a windy road to the top of a hill overlooking the glistening Pacific Ocean.


Off to the north, the view was just as pretty.


And check out these mountains — beauty in 360 degrees.



At the top of the scenic route was a cross to missionaries.


I took the road back down, thankful for a 5-minute memorable detour. At the bottom of the lane I spied a nifty artsy gate. I want one like this!



Then I parked my car for free by the City Hall. And wow, what a decadent City Hall:


That's on the top of the hill. I walked down and found a charming downtown with lots of restaurants and shops ...


... including a used bookstore, where time simply disappeared. Until I finally picked a book.


The antique store had all sorts of old-timey toys. And then I spied ... toys I had in my childhood! Cabbage Patch Kids! What????