(Northern) California
Redwoods Nat'l Park, Central Coast, and San Francisco
September 1 - September 11, 2006
Over 6,500 miles in 10 days
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The view out of the plane as we approached Oakland Airport
Our trusty steed all nice and clean. We had a long road ahead of us and only 2 hours of sleep before getting on the plane!
The first bridge we took over the Bay, as we headed north to the Redwoods
It was the first day of the Labor Day holiday, so we kept hitting crazy CA traffic
Vines growing on the side of Highway 101 in Sonoma County
The terrain was starting to change and the traffic started to thin
More vines. Mark started using our sunroof for picture taking (we were also starting to get VERY ROAD WEARY)
The start of the Redwood Forests. About 150 miles north of San Francisco.
The roads got increasingly meandrous and the weather was beautiful!
More forest and road. It goes on like this for another 100 miles.
Every once in awhile you get a break in the green and you're reminded that people have been here before you.
Now this is the start of the serious Redwoods. Before it was more like what we've all seen before. These are just the big ones' kids.
The grade was getting steeper and the roads more narrow.
North of Eureka. Mark thought these were the rocks from "The Goonies" (but they're not). It was the only time we stopped on the long journey North.
The Redwoods Hostel. It's a great place to stay because there isn't anything around you but woods and the ocean.
Our (private) room
The view from our room. We had a fire on that beach the last night we were there. We met some great people.
Day Two. Happy to have gotten some sleep, we checked out this slug-infested educational board at a "Vista Point"
Our first stop of the day was Stout Grove (click for more info)
The light was not so good, but you get the idea.
Try to find Heather hugging a tree. (Goal #1 of this trip accomplished)
You can find Heather a bit easier on this shot.
Mark in front of the same tree. He thought I was cliché for hugging the tree. Here's to being cliché. I hugged a 1,000 year old living thing! So there....
There were naturally fallen Redwoods everywhere...you can tell why they're called REDwoods eh?
Nice picture, Mark.
This is where the Ewok forest was filmed for Return of the Jedi
This tree is half naked!
The magical forest
Another fallen tree...we were at the base and you can't see the end!
So true
There is a really funny story here, but I'll save it for another time.
This is the road to Stout Grove, we took it back. There is only room for one car at a time to pass.
Fungus anyone?
The white is from the road-dust. These are cedars, not Redwoods.
Mark wanted to do the "Tour Thru Tree". It is so cheesy. We felt sleazy after doing it.
Ah, vistas along the PCH.
We stopped on the side of the road and took one of the many nature hikes.
These were as big or bigger than Stout Grove.
This grove was very close to the coast.
Fern Canyon (Click here for more info)
The weather was great ....breezy and cool. The trip into the park took us over two creeks....we were the epitome of an SUV commercial.
No doubt that this is a canyon covered in ferns!
Heather was loving it.
After lunch in the town of Orick, we stopped by Lady Bird Johnson Grove (Click for more info).
As we entered the hike, there was a mountain lion warning posted. I wasn't so worried, though, there were plenty of children and old folks that would be easier targets :-)
It's foggier here because of the proximity to the coast.
For more information on Redwoods click here
How old is this one? Start counting the rings.
The ferns were larger at Lady Bird Johnson Grove.
As we were heading back to the hostel a black bear ran across the road. Here is our attempt at capturing the critter on film.
Mark wanted to stop at our second tourist trap ...Trees of Mystery check this out
These aren't even Redwoods! It's a ski lift to the top of a mountain. To avoid the chodes, we took the hike down. It was STRAIGHT DOWN. We hiked with a very nice Indian dude from San Francisco.
We were both sore for at least two days! The hike was good, but DON'T GO HERE.
Third day: (sadly) Leaving the Redwoods, we took the scenic route.
Going through the Avenue of the Giants
Even this RV looks tiny.
Potty break
Back in civilization (really we started hitting bad traffic) we stopped at Jeriko vineyard for a wine-tasting. It was awfully fancy but I wouldn't go again.
Heading down to Point Montara. This is just after the treacherous strip of PCH near Stinson Beach. I say treacherous b/c Mark wouldn't even take a picture until after we were away from the cliffs.
On Route 1 as we are approaching San Francisco (you can see the fog to the right)
Mark's first drive over the Golden Gate Bridge
Destination #2 - Point Montara. This hostel is highly recommended, clean, cheap, and what a great view! click here for more info Our room was behind the door on the left.
The view from our room
A better view of the hostel's private beach and mini-nature trail
Looking back at the lighthouse from the cliff
The main house and part of the building we stayed in (on right)
A little waterfall leading out to the ocean.
Mark bravely went down the rocky cliff to get a picture of a starfish I saw from on top of the cliff. While he was down there he found a NOAA drift card.
That is the biggest starfish I've ever seen!
Montara at night. Our light is on.
In the morning, we went into the beautiful (upscale) town of Half Moon Bay. Then we started drinking :-) This is Obester Winery
They make a fine black muscat and a great riesling. We bought a bottle and sat outside to soak in the wonderful ambiance.
We made our calls to friends and loved ones to let them know we were thinking of them. (Mark is talking to Paul).
Then we met up with Lani and Gretchen and took a walk over the Golden Gate Bridge.
DON'T JUMP!
An old fort at the entrance of the bay.
Is Mark smiling?
The view from the south side.
Then we had lunch in Sausalito. Looks like someone sailed all the way from Italy!
Onto Coastanoa. This is our luxury tent cabin (thank you, Lani!) Link to Costanoa's page
The road to the restrooms.
Relaxing in the cabin. The bed was SO COMFORTABLE and heated
The next day we hit Bonny Doon. It's about 10 miles south of Costanoa and 10 miles north of Santa Cruz.
Bonny Doon Tasting Room is FANTASTIC! We bought three of our favorites from the flight and enjoyed the back patio.
Mark enjoyed the "For members only" rosé
Hooray, Bonny Doon! This is a great tasting room.
On the way to Santa Cruz, we weren't sure if we drank too much or if this was really a dog driving a car! Only in California.
We went to Santa Cruz after the winery and had lunch at 99 Bottles (Moose Drool on tap!) Heather sobered up, drove back to the cabin and we drank some more!
Ah....nature
Mark fell in love with this wise old tree.
The next day we traveled to our last stop...San Francisco. Here's Lombard Street.
We stayed at an independent hostel...The Green Tortoise. Here's the common room; an old ballroom. You stay here for the location ....North Beach.
Needless to say, the quality is not up to par with the Hostelling International standards.
Outside our room, where we had to wait for the bathrooms to open up.
The Letterman Digital Arts Center - home of Lucas Arts and ILM.
The Yoda Fountain outside Lucas Arts
Friday night at the Fillmore Auditorium. We saw Heather's favorite band....Feist. We were so fortunate to be in San Francisco while she was on tour!
The next day we ate at The Stinking Rose (an all garlic restaurant) for lunch
Mark had the crab.
Then we made the pilgrimage to City Lights Books. Home of the beatniks. (Vesuvio is on the lower level of the yellow building). click for info on City Lights
Then we went to party with David and Eromi (and all of their out of town friends) for their homecoming party. They were just married in Sri Lanka. Here you see everyone dancing away!
Give me that wine!
Here's the formal party at Dave's parents' house the next day. Check out Eromi's gorgeous red sari.
Heather all dressed up in cocktail garb (drinking water)
Driving back from the party on our last night in California. (the Bay Bridge)
The view of Downtown San Francisco at sunset from the Bay Bridge.
On our last day, we ate lunch in Chinatown, met back up with Lani and Gretchen, then stopped by Buena Vista for an Irish Coffee to say goodbye to San Francisco.
Don't worry, we'll be back soon...
View our 2005 Italy trip photos here