Today we branched off the freeways at Saratoga and crossed the coastal range through a redwood forest and the LorenzoValley to Santa Cruz. From there we followed the coast around Monterey Bay. At Monterey we visited Fisherman's Wharf (see photo) and the Monterey Aquarium. Monterey was dependent on fishing and the canned fish industry. Today the canning is finished and the old canning factories converted to boutique shops and eateries. The aquarium is interesti...

An early start and we were at the Powell Street cable car stop without a queue. We rode as far as Lombard Street where we walked up to watch the cars 'waltz' down the street. There are several zig zags with hydrangias and other flowers planted in each zig and zag. Its a very steep and very unique street. We jumped the next cable car to the cable car museum and winding house and then another car to the waterfront where we looked over a number of historic boats in ...

To get into the city from our hotel we caught the hotel shuttle to SF airport and then took the BART into the city. The queue for the cable car was at least an hour long so we decided to take a trolley car (tram) to the docks. We took a 90 minute bay cruise that went under the Golden Gate and Bay bridges as well as circling Alcatraz. On return we went to Pier 39 for lunch and were given a seat by the window overlooking the bay. We enjoyed that, and afterwards ...

Today we went to Golden Gate Park and saw the Flower Conservatory and Japanese Tea Garden. Then over the Golden Gate Bridge and the coastal highway. I remembered the Pelican Inn where Larry and I had tea 10 years ago so I took Maureen there to show her an example of an old English Inn in the 'new world'. I also remembered the road being quite winding and I can vouch they have added more sharp bends. We then headed over the coastal hills to the Napa Valley and St...

Today we followed the 49ers who searched for gold along the western valleys of the Sierra Nevadas. Starting at Oakhurst we followed highway 49 to Sutters Creek where the first gold was discovered - photo of town main street above. This section of highway that we covered was about 200 km. Before getting started I had to fill the petrol tank. On leaving, a lady decided to race me to the driveway. She still had the hose connected to her tank. Quite a noise and spra...