We have a long queue at San Francisco airport to collect the hire car. A rush of blood to the head makes us change our sensible SUV for a new white convertible mustang.
Not practical but so much fun!! We cross the Oakland Bay Bridge and arrive at our friends in Oakland at 15.35
It is a lovely sunny afternoon although there is a chilly wind. We drink rosé, have a light supper and try to ignore the eight hour time difference. We also admire the view from the terrace.
The following day is spent exploring San Francisco. We visit Pier 39, which is far too touristy for our liking. Photos below are the more interesting bits.
There are no sea lions but lots of people and commercialised retail. It is not to our taste – but it does have restrooms and a great view of Alcatraz.
The car park is pretty expensive at $10 per hour, but it is convenient for the cable car. We have a long wait before we can board, but there is lots to photograph.
San Francisco really does have very steep hills and I enjoy the whole experience. There are very iconic views.
We drive over the Golden Gate Bridge and make our way to Sausalito for a late lunch. The journey is interesting and on the whole scenic.
We make a complete circuit of the bay and return over Richmond Bridge. There is heavy traffic with some jams and we make some wrong exits from the freeway. The signage is less than helpful! We are happy to chill on the deck with our hosts and be fed and watered with great food and some excellent wine from their vineyard.
After a good night’s sleep we are given a day off from driving. Our friends take us to Sonoma. It is a historic and pretty small town.
The Bear Flag was raised here in 1846 to signify the declaration of freedom of California from Mexican rule.
We visit the barracks and admire the historic houses.
We then visit Bartholomew Vineyard for a walk, picnic and wine-tasting.
We end the day with a tour of Chris and Viv’s little vineyard, which they set up from scratch 10 years ago with friends, building the terracing and planting new vines. In their first year of production they won a California State Fair gold medal. Impressive! We were lucky enough to sample an extensive selection of their wines and they were all really good.
We say a fond farewell to our friends and head south.
Lynne
I’m enjoying the picnic in the vineyard with you.
Sonoma looks like a lovely place and know how good the wines are.
Good to see photos of San Fran as it is somewhere I would have liked to visit but know now it is not possible. Far too many hills.