Heading homeward

Last night in San francisco at the best western Americania hotel. Tried out the rooftop heated pool and went out for a fab Italian at Uncle Vitos. Drove to the airport and after yet another overnight flight touched down at Heathrow at 1030 on Sunday morning. A couple of hours and we were home. The chickens were pleased to see us! and now some sleep....

Yosemite

Left San Francisco across the bay and headed inland. Took the winding road climing into the mountains and stopped off at a small town called Groveland. Went for a swim in a pool under a small waterfall to cool off. The temperature had reached 41 degrees during the drive!  Next day drove to Yosemite. Took photos of the breathtakingly beautiful vally with its rocks and waterfalls. Drove out of the park and found our next stop, a log cabin next to Bass lake. This was the locatoin for the great outdoors, a 1988 film starring John Candy. Headed back to San Francisco ready to catch the plane back to London )-;

 

Pier 39 and Alcatraz

One of the most memorable days of the holiday. Drove down to the front and visited Pier 39. A bit touristy but lots of souvenier shops and food outlets to browse. Found the colony of seals which have been resident now for about 20 years. Then headed to the ferry and our trip to Alcatraz. Very impressive with lot of history. Capone, machine gun kelly and of course the bird man. The audio tour brought it to life but sadly the wife and kids managed to escape from the cells, drat, foiled!

The streets of San Francisco

Very hilly! Trams, piers, bridges, (including of course the golden gate) rainbow flags. Drove down Lombard street twice! The girls went shopping on market street, saw the painted ladies (row of period houses). Went up the twin peaks and took in the view of the city. The largest building is the Transamerican pyramid and is very recognisable. Drove past coit tower and chinatown. Loads to do and not enough time to do it.

The final push to the Bay

Left the Big Sur river inn heading North to San Francisco. A bit travel weary so didn't stop much on the way. Crossed the famous Bixby bridge, much photographed and used in car ads. It also features in the opening sequence of the film 'play misty for me'. Took a brief look at Carmel-by-the-Sea where Clint Eastwood was mayor and had a short lunch stop. Arrived at our San Francisco house nestling below one of the twin peaks around tea time. Probably the best of our three rentals, well appointed and comfy. We like the feel of San Francisco already and are looking forward to the next three days.

Big Sur

Today we drove the middle section of the coast road. Stopped for breakfast in a quirky hotel with a pink/cinderella type of theme, very unusual. Took a tour of Hearst castle, the mansion built by William Randolf Hearst the publishing magnet. It was a bit foggy! Externally it is based on a spanish cathedral and it is filled with old art, tapestries and sculptures from europe. Many famous people have been entertained there including Churchill, P G Woodehouse and Charlie Chaplain. Carried on our drive and stopped to look at some elephant seals resting on the beach. Finally arrived at our log cabin by a river in big sur. The rolled up one dollar bill we found under the bed was a bit offputting and the 1 hour wait for food wasn't exactly what we had in mind but the food was ok.

Pismo beach

Left LA and set off on the drive up the coast to San francisco. Freeway at a standstill so went up the coast via Malibu. Stopped off on the way at a Danish village called Solvang which had a xmas shop. Arrived quite late at Pismo but the Hilton was lovely. Had a swim and a hot tub and went into the surfing beach resort of Pismo for a meal. Checked out their gift shops which included edible insects:-crickets in chocolate and scorpions in candy!

LA

Arrived at LAX after a very long flight. Got hire car and drove to house in Venice. Driving on the wrong side of the road a bit scary. Walked down to the beach and strolled down the front. Weightlifters, street entertainers, stalls selling souveneirs, trashy art, henna tattoos & t-shirts. Very hot and humid. House is just across the road from Lindsay Lohan’s apartment, but she is on a photo shoot in Malibu at the moment so no paparazzi around! Visited Hollywood and found all the names on the stars and the handprints outside Grauman’s Chinese theatre. Went to a theme park next day but temperature was a stifling 102^oF. Good rides but long queues so quit mid afternoon before we frazzled.