San Francisco and the Coastals

San Francisco and the Coastals

Directly in-between two work trips, I had a weekend off to go explore the west coast.   There were two stipulations though that had to fulfill before I was allow to go explore.  First, no earthquakes where allowed to take place while I was there (request from mom).  Second, I had to pick up a straggler at the airport whom would then follow me around for the weekend.

As soon as I landed in San Jose, I hopped in my new Jeep Liberty rental, after sweet talking the counter lady and upgrading from a “Hyundai Tiny Mobil”.   At that time the vagabond had arrived at San Francisco Airport and was hypnotized by the Virgin Airlines Light shows, which allowed me to take my time and take in the sites along the way.    Afterward we went to the Fisherman’s Wharf Area of SF, and dined on In-N-Out burgers (things got messy).  After feasting, we went to the Wharf to find sea lions.  Listen to the majestic sounds of the graceful creatures.

Thoroughly tired and worn out from walking through gangs, we went to the La Luna Inn.   Everything was booked solid due to it being Bay-to-Breakers weekend.

Next day, we head back to the Wharf to see the sight in the day time. Before we got there we wondered down Lombard Street.  This is the windiest street in the world, with houses that valued in the multi-million dollar range.  When we got the the wharf, we went alongside the docks where old warships and submarines berthed. You could also see Alcatraz and large tankers coming into port.  Here I completed the first^st photo challenge (a bunch of ropes and chains).  Afterwards we saw the local shops: magnets, sour dough bread, and crab’eries.  Next stop was Ghiradelli Square so we could get the free chocolate fix. The lady was slick in the dealings of the coco wafer.

Continuing the whirlwind tour,  Golden Gate Bridge was next on the chopping block.  Using my superior driving skills, we got the best parking spot and for free.  It was pretty impressive (also I wasn’t allowed to drive on the bridge, but no one ever said anything about walking).   The red was a reddish orange, with different splotches when you got close.

Next was the painted ladies houses, (from the TV show Full House).  We were lucky enough to have a full line of porta-johns parked in front of them.  Success! Beat that aspiring photographers.  Afterwards, has Haight-Ashbury Street.  Hippy central.  I ducked in and out of the most scene thrift stores on the planet.   Almost purchased some vintage short shorts, there were sweet old vintage t-shirt, and apparently Hawaiian t-shirts were in style.

Then the driving continued down to Monterey,  via 280 to 17 to the 1. We passed many strawberry and artichoke fields on the 1, which were next to the bay. They went as far as the eye could see.  In Monterey we got a cheap hotel with sweet service and it was right next to their Wharf. We tried to see the sunset, but the storms rolling in made it impossible.  Instead I took artsy photo challenges, and crushed them all.  Alexis just goofed off the hold time. Later that night we ate at one of the competing fish restaurants on the Wharf.  Each tried to lure you in by hawking free chowder at you as you walk down the Wharf.   I had some abalone, but it wasn’t that exciting– but it was still good.

Sunday, we drove down the 1 to Big Sur, taking in all the sights of the coastline.  The road was falling in at parts and saw lots of famous bridges and coves.   At one point there was a Sea Otter Resort, which looked like either a fancy prison or a lavish estate. Once in Big Sur we saw some big coast redwoods, one of which was over 1000yrs old.  Also, hiked up a trail to see the whole valley.  The next spot was the Pfeiffer Beach, and in order to get there we had to travel down a hidden back road.  The beach was in a sweet cove, with breaking rocks and purple sand.  At this point the weather started to break and the sun came out.  Alexis got to experience the pacific ocean for the 1^st time, here’s her initial reaction.   It was then time to leave, but we stop and eat at the Big Sur Deli / Post office.   I sent out a postcard, but it never made it to its destination.  Last stop was a drive through San Jose, the Apple Headquarters, and then the San Fran Airport to drop off the hitchhiker.