On route to Paso Robles, our pit stop before San Francisco, we passed a massive area which had all these pumps going up and down. It looked like a bunch of robots going back and forth, back and forth.
I found out later on that this is an oil field, which half the pumps pump oil, and the other water. They pump the water off the top layer of the oil levels. Very interesting.
Paso Robles, which is wine country, was stunning. It almost has a Paarl feel to it, except this has some cowboy boots and spurs mixed into it.
We checked into a lovely hotel, the courtyard Marriot, another brilliant find on Priceline.com, my latest favorite site. At 4pm they had happy hour, where we could try all the yummy wines from the region, mmmmmm.
Chris and I being our usual shy selves (NOT), ended up chatting to all the locals at the pub, getting all sorts local views on the area and advice.
The Paso Robles Winelands
We ended the evening with a tummy filing rib meal at the local diner, complete with some deer and buffalo heads ,spurs and boots pinned up on the wall.
We hit the road once again for the trip to San Fran, all the way on the famous No.1. This is most one of the popular and scenic routes in the US. For approx. 150 miles (241 Km), you drive mostly along the coast, with massive cliffs edging the Pacific Ocean. Sme parts actually reminded me of Chapmans Peak Drive. We saw whales and elephant seals, as well as tons of kite surfers. Most of the drive is through state parks, and the most amazing scenery. A definite for anyone wanting to do a coastal road trip.
The Elephant Seals sunning on the pebble beach
We finally reached San Francisco at 5:30pm, and headed off to Oakland to find our hotel. This took nearly 2 hours, after having to cross the massive Bay Bridge in peak hour traffic. 4-5 lanes of back to back traffic. Makes Ben Schoeman look like a walk in the park. The hotel (Extended Stay Deluxe, Oakland), was a bit of a disaster which encouraged us to spend as much time away from the place that we could.
Traffic heading towards Bay Bridge
Traffic on Bay Bridge, with another 4 lanes just above us.
The great San Francisco!
San Francisco at first glance seems very busy, big and expensive. There are more bridges, flyovers and cars than I have ever seen (NY was a pleasure compared to this). But when you get to know your way around, it kind of grows on you. We started our sightseeing day off by visiting Fisherman’s Wharf. After some breakfast and a cappuccino, we decided to head off on our own route, instead of the touristy hop on, hop off bus. Fisherman’s Wharf is lovely to see, lots of restaurants and things to see. The Elephant Seals where putting on a show for everyone and making lots of noise.
Above, Fisherman's Wharf, the Elephant Seals and the view of Alcatraz from the Pier.
We then decided headed off to the majestic Golden Gate Bridge. This actually takes your breath away, and you can not help but take 100 pics of it from different angles. Driving over it is also an experience.
From there we headed off to Sausalito, this is a smallish village where mainly VERY RICH people moor all there small (ya, right), BIG boats, yachts, cruisers etc.
Driving over the Glden Gate Bridge
There are also lovely beaches and quaint little eating places and shops to visit.
My Rav 4 zoomed all over the place, up very steep streets and even steeper downhill’s. Back over the Golden Gate Bridge we went, also visiting Nobb Hill, the crookedest street in the world, the war vets memorial among other things. What’s also great about this place is every one exercises, people are running and cycling and walking and even kite surfing in the bay. After experiencing SF in this way, I could live here if I had too, but may I say, it’s not my first choice
The crookedest street in the world.
The Fashion Valley Mall in SD
