Intro

This recounting of a family trip to northern California consists of the daily entries, unvarnished for the most part, as found in my 5-year diary. These are followed by photos we took during the trip.

I hope you will add comments, other memories, what surprises you, or anything else.

Tuesday, August 12

Up at 6:30 to fly via Pittsburgh to San Francisco. "Limo" to the Donatello hotel. Walk to Fisherman's Wharf. Watch seals. Windy. Supper of seafood linguini at Bubba Gump's on Pier 39. Walk back along Embarcadero and climb the steps on east side of Coit Tower. Then back to hotel via Chinatown.

"Positively Haight Street"

Corner of Ashbury and Haight

Fisherman's Wharf

Fisherman's Wharf

Wednesday, August 13

Breakfast at Pine Grill--eggs and pancakes. Bus to Haight-Ashbury. Evan plays Alesis QS-8 keyboard. Keith missing Conor whom he was with at the River for the week before our trip. [We left Mocha in the care of Uncle James at the River while we were traveling.]

Golden Gate Park: watch lawn bowling and visit Japanese Tea Garden. Tea and muffin on Fell St. 

Hot tub and shower at hotel's club level. Chinese dinner at New Peking Restaurant a few blocks from the hotel.

Pagoda in Japanese Tea Garden

Koi pond

Arched drum bridge

Thursday, August 14

Walk to Fisherman's Wharf via Cable Car Museum. Ferry at 1:15 to Alcatraz. Audio tour. Cold, breezy. Back in SF we have hour wait for cable car home. Evan takes bus.

After hotel spa we walk to 240 Columbus Ave for dinner at Campo Santo--Mexican.

On the ferry to Alcatraz.

A federal prison from 1933 until 1963.

Friday, August 15

Last day in SF. Walk Market St to public library. Bus to Ferry Blvd. Brass propeller [at 100 Spear St was moved in 2010 to the California Maritime Academy]. Lunch at Rincon Center--pizza.
Embarcadero Center. I go back to Cable Car Museum to 6:00. We see wedding at Grace church.

Failed dinner--I walk out but come back. Salad--not feeling well. Lori's (1950s) Diner. Evan listens to jazz and talks with pianist at restaurant a few blocks away.

Sights as we walked around San Franciso

Saturday, August 16

Breakfast at Chancellor again. Go to pick up Budget rental car--I'm #8 on wait list. About 11 get Ford Windstar--3d car seen. Drive through Mission District and then up Twin Peaks. Bread and cheese picnic on Panoramic Dr on way to Muir Woods. Olema Valley. Brown Hills. Petaluma. Italian dinner at Fino Cucina Italiana with raw egg cracked at table onto Caesar salad with anchovies.

View from Twin Peaks

Descending to our car after picnic.

Keith and redwood in Muir Woods.

 Roberta and redwood in Muir Woods.

Sunday, August 17

Lock keys in car. Swim. AAA comes. Breakfast at Center City Diner. Walk a little. Drive to Sonoma and Glen Ellen where we visit Benziger Family Winery. Tour full but we see exhibit on grape growing. Climb a winding road to Napa Valley and get to Suzie's back in SF by 5. Veggie pasta dinner.

Luckily the winery had more than just grapes to entertain us.

Benziger Family Winery

Suzie Kirk and Roberta

Monday, August 18

In early morning I walk up Sutro Hill via Tank Hill. Drive interstate to Monterey/Pacific Grove. Stay at Butterfly Grove Inn where several units burned last week. Swim at inn in afternoon. Later walk on rocks off Ocean Beach Drive. Diner at Bullwackers Restaurant at 653 Cannery Row, Monterey. [After a 30 year run on Cannery Row, Bullwackers Restaurant has closed.]

Suzie's house where we stayed our last night in SF.

Tuesday, August 19

Visit Monterey Aquarium 10-12. Tuna, jelly fish, sea otters. [The following October Evan tells me of a moment in the aquarium--a distinct memory for him--that he decided he wanted to be serious about music.]

Head south after lunch in Pacific Grove diner. Stop to swim on beach along route 1, but signs about swift currents make us very cautious. I get knocked over by surf.

On to Big Sur. Tea and cookies in car. Starts to rain after cloudy afternoon. Diner back in Pacific Grove at Chili Great Chili.

Wednesday, August 20

Walk to beach and back. Deer, western scrub jay. Back at inn we order Evan's QS-8 keyboard.

Stop at Pacific Grove Museum. Buy gifts. Stop at Scott River Beach for lunch and swim. Surf. Had look at Bonny Doon Beach. Arrive El Granada. Keith and I swim again. Roberta comes and watches pelicans fish.

Ceramic we purchased at museum gift shop.

Largest cones are, I believe, from a pine at the museum.

Thursday, August 21

Up at 7:15 to walk out on pier. Seal is loose. Leave Harbor View Inn at 9:15. 11:35 flight takes off at noon. I am choked up a little driving up hills as we leave Half Moon Bay--sad that trip is over.