Tag Archives: California

San Francisco Impressions

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On Thursday we hit tourist country, heading out for the Cable Car Museum – and continuing into China Town for a bit of a wander and a dumpling lunch. I made my way back on foot – staying on Mission Street for most of the 7.5km, taking in the ever-changing vibe from SoMa to 29th. Dinner was at a Mexican place in the area as well.

I was already heading back on Friday, so there was not much time – and we stayed local in the valley, making it up to Billy Goat Hill and Walter Haas Park for some final views of town.

All in all another action-packed few days at the bay … with great food, drinks and company – leaves me to say thanks – and until next time.

Back to Alameda – Craft Beer with a View

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Public transport was the name of the game today … bus and Muni light railway got us to the ferry building – and a quick ferry ride later we had crossed the bay and had made it to the Alameda Seaplane ferry pier.

Today was a leisurely day – checking out some of the craft beer places in the former navy buildings of Alameda island. This time we were focusing on Faction Brewing, which we kind of had missed out on during previous visits. The tap room of this one not only features some good beers, there are also amazing views over the old air field across the bay – today even including a blimp.

Rosie the Riveter

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We made it to the East Bay today, crossing the bay bridge over to Oakland and then North to Richmond – for a trip to history at Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park.

Rosie the Riveter is the iconic symbol of the American Home Front during World War II, representing the millions of women who entered industrial jobs while men served overseas. Richmond’s four Kaiser Shipyards became a powerhouse of wartime production, employing women and minorities and building more than 700 ships. The park’s museum tells their stories – from diversity and equality at the workplace to housing shortages and innovative childcare and healthcare systems.

A worthwhile trip – with great views over the bay from the former shipyard (and later Ford factory) … followed by a surprisingly good pho in a Vietnamese restaurant next to Richmond’s marina.

Of Peanuts and Wine …

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Today we were heading North, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin County and then on to Sonoma County and Santa Rosa. First stop of the day was at the Charles M. Schulz Museum.

Charles M. Schulz was the creator of the Peanuts, introducing the world to Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and their friends. He spent the last four decades of his life in Santa Rosa, California, where he lived, worked and drew the strip until his death. Up to today Peanuts are an important part of Santa Rosa’s identity – and the legacy continues through the museum, ice-rink and and Peanuts-themed landmarks around town.

After lunch in the Warm Puppy Cafe we took the route towards Sonoma with a stop at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards for a quick wine tasting (featuring one of the best Merlots I ever had, as well as a super-smooth Zinfandel); more wine followed at Walt Wines in Sonoma proper – this one providing a great selection of close-to-perfect Pinot Noirs.

From Punch Card to Google

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It’s been quiet here for some time now … being new on a job meant to stay patient for some time – and … well – finally … I am back to travel – kicking it off with a short trip to San Francisco to visit Lisa and get that cioppino, I missed out on when I was here last year. I made it in Saturday afternoon – and straight on to Anchor Oyster Bar – so, that one was taken care of immediately. 😉

Today we were heading South towards Mountain View and the Silicon Valley – first stop being at the Computer History Museum for a comprehensive overview of all computing – from the abacus, punch cards and vacuum tubes – all the way to super computers, chat bots and mobile telephones. To me a very interesting dive into computer history and worthwhile visit.

From the museum we continued to the nearby Google Visitor Experience at the Google Gradient Canopy building – essentially an official Google Office with a shop, coffee bar and huddle open to the public, plus an arts park around it. As there was no need for us to buy the newest Google gadgets, we stuck with a walk around the building and checking out the art installations. From Google we continued to Cupertino and the Apple Park Visitor Center – another shop and coffee bar … and really nothing else. While we could spot the massive circular building and surrounding park on the other side of the road, this one was well fenced off.

Before heading back to San Francisco we had some good – and more than well-spiced – Indian food.

Around the Pacific … and back to the Bay

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On Saturday we made a trip up to Marin Country and Agate Beach at Bolinas to meet a meetup group for a bit of tide pooling (with plenty of mussels, snails, algae and anemones to look at – plus the occasional hermit crab 🦀) and a short hike for great coastal views. From here it was back to town for a museum Sunday around the Golden Gate Park – incl. the Paul McCartney photo exhibition at De Young Museum.

Monday and Tuesday were easy days … essentially preparing for the next part of the trip (laundry, re-packing etc.) – followed by a walk to Bernal Heights for some great city views. More views were coming up on Tuesday during a tour of some of the more arty stairs around town.

Overall another great couple of days in and around San Francisco – just without the wine and no cioppino … thanks for a great time – and until next time.

Back to the bay – with flowers in my hair

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My more regular readers may remember that – over the years – I have done (more or less) regular visits over to the San Francisco/ Oakland bay area, to visit Lisa, who I had met back on my first trip to Antarctica – and whom I have stayed in touch with ever since. During Covid visiting was (obviously) out of question – but as things were clearing during the year, we decided to go ahead and I got myself a ticket to the bay for a week in late September/early October.

During Covid Lisa had moved from Oakland to San Francisco – so there was loads to explore: from house and garden to the neighborhood – with steep roads and the one or other viewpoints out to the city and the bay – and businesses around (incl. a newly discovered seafood place just a few bus stops away).

In San Francisco we covered the Exploratorium after dark (i.e. in the evening and kids free with easy access to all exhibits and experiments) and the De Young Museum (incl.  the exhibition on Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs).

We also did the (meanwhile customary) trip down to wine country – heading South for Santa Clara county and the area around Hecker Pass – with stops (and tastings) at three wineries. My favorite here was (once more) Hecker Pass Winery with its Italian-style wines, family-tradition and a philosophy, giving the wines more time than in other – more commercial – wineries. Just down the road, also Sarah’s was convincing, especially the superb selection of pintos (which to me felt overpriced, especially compared to what is available in Europe).

No trip to San Francisco is complete without a trip out to the bay. We used the ferry, to make it over to Oakland and Jack London Square for another bit of wining – with the focus now on (mostly) Zinfandels at the tasting room of Rosenbloom.

Otherwise there was plenty of time, to catch up on things, enjoy the great food, San Francisco has to offer (incl. a to-die-for-cioppino), some (more) wine – and (re)meet Lisa’s family and friends. Needless to say, it’s been a great trip and time – a great THANKS to the host.

Disclaimer: there were no flowers in my hair – due to a lack of the latter.

Oysters in San Francisco

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We took it easy today and had a leisurely start of the day. Around midday we made it down to Oakland’s ferry terminal, to catch a ferry over to San Francisco and a late oyster lunch at the Hog Island Oyster Company outlet right in the Ferry Building.

After lunch we enjoyed a walk along the piers from the ferry building all the way up to pier 41 with various stops on the way (including one at pier 39, to catch a glimpse of the sea lions). From here it was back to the ferry and across the bay to Oakland.

In retrospect this has been a nice week over in California – again with great food, great views, interesting excursions and drinks to try on the way – plus of course perfect company and hosts – THANKS Lisa and Harry – it’s been a great time (again)!

To the Ocean …

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The plan for the day was, to head up for the coast in Sonoma county, about 100km North of San Francisco.

As my hosts had to replenish their supply of sparkling wine, we had a stop at the Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville on the way. This winery (as the name might suggest) is specialized in the production of sparkling wine. We had a tour of the winery, to then make it for a tasting and an order. To me the sparkling wines were mostly too sweet, the (still) base wines though were decent.

We continued along the Russian River Valley – until eventually the river made its way into the Pacific and we had arrived at Jenner. We had lunch at a restaurant overlooking the mouth of the river and beaches.

After lunch and a post-lunch port with a superb view, we continued to one of the beaches, we had seen from the restaurant – Goat Rock State Beach, a part of the Sonoma Coast State Park. Here we had a short walk along the beach, including an opportunity for a (toe) dip.

We were now already heading South on highway 1, initially along the coast (with more great views) and then into Tomales Bay with a stop at Point Reyes Station for a bit of cheese shopping (the Sonoma area is a cow paradise, so plenty of milk and cheese) – before making it inland for US highway 101 and the San Rafael / Richmond bay bridge – and finally back to Oakland.