Thursday 20th - SHAG!

Thursday was another fairly early start, and breakfast was had once again in The Corner Bakery. We were regulars now and the staff there were starting to recognise us and we were always greeted with warm smiles.

Today, The Beeb opted for Porridge, or as they say in the US, "Oatmeal". The extras, such as sugar, nuts etc come in small plastic tubs so The Beeb could choose what to add.



Today was going to be an exciting day. Domenic Priore had arranged for us to meet Tiki artist SHAG! At home, The Beeb has a whole shelf of books of SHAG's artwork.

Domenic picked us up outside our hotel and we headed out to the Orange County area.

Without a Sat Nav, Domenic was reliant on sketchy directions written on small post it notes. But in the end we got there, pulling into the driveway of a beautiful home in a peaceful area.

We were invited inside and we got the chance to see SHAG's studio.

SHAG's real name is Josh Agle, and SHAG is a derivative from the last 2 letters of his first name the first two of his surname

SHAG designed wallpaper

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SHAG's artistic style is very distinctively 60's and Tiki influenced and is instantly recognisable.

After a little while, we headed out to Tustin for a spot of lunch.

We are not sure what the name of the restaurant is, (it seems to go by the name of Hatch and also Stowaway) but we do know it is run by friends of SHAG and is designed in a great Tiki style, even serving Tiki cocktails that were rather nice.

SHAG has influence here...... he designed the wall decor.

The food was great. The Beeb had his first experience of  "sliders" which are essentially, mini burgers. He had the veggie variety.

The Beeb on a swing while we waited for our table

For anyone not familiar with SHAG artwork, it is sold in two places in California - one from a store on Melrose Avenue and the other in Palm Springs. He also designed a T Shirt for Luxuria Music a number of years ago, and the snap to the left is a picture of The Beeb wearing it  (picture from a few years ago too).

Check the art out here

After lunch, we said our goodbyes to SHAG, and with Domenic, we headed to the South Beaches, to Balboa, where the surf music scene really started with Dick Dale.