Valparaiso and the coast.

Valparaiso is a port city about 100 km from Santiago.  Geographically, it sits right next to Vina del Mar but is many miles away in culture and style.

Valparaiso is known for the colored houses that sit, at times precariously, on the slopes of steep hills.  Streets are impossibly narrow and twist and turn up the hills.  Imagine San Francisco with 80% of the streets like Lombard and Ashbury Terrace.

It is also known for its public art – or murals.  They are on many of the buildings and are wonderful to look at.

 

I spent one day walking around the city – up, down and around.  Luckily, on the really steep parts they have “elevators” or funiculars.  They cost about 12 cents each way and are fun, if you don’t get vertigo.

I first visited Valparaiso in 1987 when traveling around the continent.  I remembered not caring for it much then, but I wanted to give it a second chance.  I still didn’t care for it much.  I am glad I visited; however, the city is very dirty.  When they decided to clean up Santiago and expelled all the litterbugs, this is where they were sent.  It it really sad.  The city has so much potential but the people just don’t seem to care.

I also went to the Casablanca valley, just outside Valparaiso.  It is one of the newer wine regions in Chile and is known for cold climate wines.  The climate is very similar to the southern part of Sonoma Valley with warm days and cool nights.

Wine tourism has certainly not reached the level of California (or even Argentina) yet.  They charge way to much for the tastings and the people pouring, for the most part, don’t have any real knowledge of the wines.  One place was great but the other two, not so good.

The town of Casablanca itself has a lot of potential to be super cute.  There is a nice plaza and has good walkability.  I see it as being a real destination in a few years.

After a day of wineries, I decided to check out the southern coast.  I drove down to Algarrobo, a lovely seaside town about 30 minutes from Valparaiso.  This town is  beautiful, with s lovely beach and they are installing a new boardwalk.  There are a number of retired expats in Algarrobo.

Driving around has been a hoot.  Most of the time, once on the highways, things are pretty well marked.  Getting to the highways is always fun.  At least the geography helps.  The Pacific Ocean is to the west, REALLY BIG mountains are to the east.  From there, you can figure most things out.

Next post will be from a town farther inland.  Stay tuned.