My day started with an early 4 mile run, again along the Harbour front but this time in the other direction to Tuesdays run (weird thing with me is if I'm in a new place and do a run in one direction I have to also make sure I go the other way as well to make sure I did not miss anything!)

Packed up and moved on from the hostel, pleased I stayed, but really looking forward to having my own room at the next place. The rental car pick up was really easy as the public trolley was a 5 min walk from the hostel, then after 4 quick stops it dropped me right outside the Alamo car rental. Once there I quickly discovered that my reservation has been messed up and I had been misquoted the total price ( thanks Travel Impressions I could have actually now got this cheaper myself than the special "staff" price, grrrrr)

I'm not a big fan of driving so honestly this driving myself round California is a little nerve racking, the lovely car rental guy upgraded me (because he used to live in England, although I suspect they did not have any smaller cars left, lol) so now I'm driving a mid size car which makes my Mini Cooper seem like a kids toy, but pretty sure it's gonna be more comfortable than the Chevy Spark I was supposed to have.

I drove out of San Diego (I'm sure I'll be back in the future, loved this city, it's organization, it's cleanliness, it's friendly homeless folk and above all it's weather) to La Jolla where more than one person told me to stop. La Jolla was pretty but a total honeypot for tourists, I walked along the coastal path and saw the sea lions and then had a little picnic overlooking the stunning beaches. I decided to take the advise of a lady I met on my flight here and go to Torres Pines State Park for a little hiking after my picnic. I'm pleased I did as the walks along the cliffs and down to the beach were lovely and it made me smile that all the Californians we're well dressed for hiking. I'm sure on the East Coast I'd have seen way more inappropriate footwear and clothing, but here it's true everyone just seems more outdoorsy. Could it really be I landed on the wrong coast of the US.......I like it here.

Early afternoon I made my drive to Palm Springs, 2 hours 30 mins and possibly the longest I have ever driven myself anywhere! Thanks to my West Coast play list (good job Meredith) the drive was actually quite fun and I now feel more confident in my driving for the rest of the trip. The 6 lane highways were not even that bad!

So as I pull up to my accommodation I realize I'm a little nervous about this first proper Airbnb experience. Am I really about to stay I'm some total strangers house? I need not have worried, All could not have gone better, Chuck and his two dogs were very hospitable, the house clean and the bed comfy and best of all, my own room.

After a little chat with Chuck I went off to the street fair which happens year round on Thursdays (despite the overwhelming heat). Fun event with lots of performers, arts and crafts stalls and food outlets. I spent a couple of hours looking around, bought a hat I'm hoping will be useful for my Grand Canyon expedition and then went home for an early night, in my own room, bliss