Cambria, 140 miles north of Santa Barbara

A good day's drive that took us through extensive vineyards as well as very arid areas. It appears that the area is experiencing a severe drought after the spring rains failed to arrive. Water restrictions everywhere. Even fountains in the Neuvo Passeo in Santa Barbara had been turned off.

Enjoyed looking around Santa Barbara, it is a very attractive town, with a Mediterranean feel to it with tiles roofs, white stucco walls and lots of terracotta. One inhabitant now has a new hat too, courtesy of Susan who dropped it while putting on her glasses.

So today's drive took us along the coast to Moonstone Bay in Cambria Santa Maria and Cayucos. An interesting journey though several different habitats all of which are suffering from the effects of drought. Did our first wine tasting in Cayucos, some good stuff. Both hotels we've stayed at so far have had a complimentary wine and cheese event in the evening, which is good news. The hotel in Santa Barbara even provided a bottle of (Californian) champagne.

The hotel in Cambria is good. But the breakfast choices and arrangements look interesting.

Had a pleasant but expensive meal at the restaurant next door. $30 for a seafood pasta. It was good though, plenty of fish and shellfish. But on top of the price on the menu there is tax and tip. I'm not against tipping but I don't like the fact that is it obligatory. And I object to making up someone's wages through tipping. Seems to me that the employer is getting away with lower wages as they expect the customer to make up the wage with a tip. To my mind a tip is for good service, not just service.

Moreover, I object to tip inflation. Used to be 10%, now the last bill I had suggested tips at 18, 20 and 22%. Let's just increase the % tip as we see fit shall we? It's wrong but people here seem to accept it. Why be so stingy, let's have a 50% tip rate and be done with it.