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Wednesday, November 19, 2014

California Adventure - An Afternoon in San Francisco

I realized a few days ago that I never posted pics of our final days in California this past summer. Time passes so quickly that it's crazy.  We just went on this amazing trip a few months ago and it already seems like FOREVER ago and we are ready for another vacation!

I wasn't sure we would make it to San Francisco on this trip, so I was excited that we finally got there. I wanted to visit with SuperDave and Colleen since they had never been there before and everyone to visit at least once.

We drove up from Cambria ,so it was afternoon by the time we arrived.  As we drove toward Pier 39 for shopping and lunch I captured this picture and was delighted when I looked later to see I had gotten the street sign in my shot! Pretty good for a picture taken from the car.


We didn't visit Alcatraz but I got a great shot with the zoom lens on my Nikon. I've taken the tour, it's pretty interesting.  You need to buy tickets in advance if you want to take a tour.


This little lady was all alone.  I couldn't believe it!  There have always been dozens of seals hanging out when I was there.  Someone said they had gone south. I can understand that - it was cold!


This area is usually covered with harbor seals, even when I visited before in July. Maybe the ones we saw in Monterey came from here.



A shot back toward the hilly city from our lunch spot on the end of the Pier. San Francisco has such fascinating history.  I would love to spend a few days exploring. At Pier 39 I like to eat at Neptune's Waterfront Bar and Grill.  The views and the food are great!


I ordered "Best of Soup", a sampling of clam chowder, lobster bisque and gazpacho.  I could eat this pretty much every day!



From our warm table by the window inside the restaurant we saw Oski the Golden Bear get off a boat and wave to some UC Berkley fans.


After lunch, we watched some entertainers put on a street show.


We visited my favorite store on Pier 39. 



Dark chocolate turtles and dark chocolate coconut haystacks.

Yes, I was in Chocolate Heaven. 


We also ate crepes, yum! Now you know why I ate such a light lunch.
We were constantly finding more good food to sample!

Then we did a really big thing - we drove across the Golden Gate Bridge in the convertible with the top down!  Another item crossed off the 'ole bucket list! And the sun came out for our drive. The baby girl and myself put the hoods up on our sweatshirts for the top down drive. Did I mention it was chilly?


On the other side we had beautiful views of the bay.


The city across the bay from the bridge, you can see the clouds made the picture hazy. That's normal in San Fran!


It was so cold our baby girl wore Dad's jacket OVER her sweatshirt. It was VERY windy on this high point on the north side of the bridge.


I love this bridge.  I first visited the area when I was 15 to and came to see my sister.  She lived on The Presidio.  When you have time read the history, it's pretty incredible that they completed this bridge across the Golden Gate in 1937.  Did you know the strait was called the Golden Gate BEFORE the bridge was built? Just one interesting fact - read the history, really, you won't be sorry.



One final shot.  Then away we went to find a bed for the night.


You noticed there are no pictures of me so far with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background?  Did I mention it was windy and cold?  Oh, well, here you go!

Definitely not my best look.


Much love and laughter,

Laura


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Tuesday, November 11, 2014

California Adventure - Moonstone Beach

Now this is not the typical type of beach I normally visit like the white sands of Mexico I shared here.  But I did take a picture of my toes. And it is so chilly tonight in Texas I can stick my toes in front of a fire in my own living room.  It is early for the cold in Texas, but in Cali I was sitting by the fire in July!



Our room at the Pelican Inn was wonderful and the breakfast and evening reception were very nice.



Beautiful gardens



Relaxing walks on the boardwalk


Tidepools!


Lots of wildlife!




I could spend a lot of time here, even though it's not a 'swim in the ocean' kind of place. Not for me anyway, we saw people on paddle boards.





This was the kind of place you just go and relax. A 'no worries' kind of place.




Look close, there's a hummingbird in this picture.



And there's a nice restaurant walking distance from the hotel!


I feel relaxed just looking at the pictures again.  I'm ready to make another reservation.

Much love and laughter,

Laura


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