vineyards, fruits and nature

Mirror Lake - where is the water

The long drive from Camrbia to Yosemite N.P. was not very interesting. Vineyards at the beginning. Closer to Fresno lots of fields with fruits. Fresno is big but not very beautiful! But you have to make a stop somewhere.

After another long drive we finally arrived in Yosemite Valley. We explored the park and made a little hike around Mirror Lake.
As we both enjoyed the nature so much we decided to stay for one night. Lucky as we were they had a tent left. So we camped in the woods which reminded me at my time with the boy scouts back home in Switzerland.

Nevada Falls

Early in the morning we headed for Nevada Fall which is just underneath Half Dome. Very steep but no problem for us. We were followed by squirrels. On the top ew enjoyed the view over the valley flanked by Sentinel and Half Dome.

Now we were so thirsty that we headed directly to Sonoma Valley. After this nice 4h drive we opened our first bottle of Californian wine! 

hiking, wine and rich people

As we only had 2 weeks of vacation and California is huge we had to make a plan. San Francisco, the ocean, some state/national parks and wine was essential for our trip. The flight back home was from San Francisco as well which means going back there.
The plan was to drive south ways and turn into land direction of Yosemite N.P.

Pool at Hearst Castle

On the way we made a stop in Pfeifer Big Sur State Park. It was hot like hell but underneath this big trees the air was nice. We hiked up the mountains on each side of the valley. This State Park is a must when you are near. Not many people and a gorgeous view!

We drove all the way to Cambria out southernmost point. Why Cambria you ask? I can't tell you except that the Highway to Yosemite Park starts from here.
We spent 1 night here. In the evening we went for a wine tasting at Fermentations on Main Street. Cool place go and check it out!

A crazy but very interesting attraction we visited the next day. Hearst Castle quite close to town. A museum like no other they call themselves. They are absolutely right. Mr. Hearst was a newspaper publisher and made a little money. So he bought some land only about 8400m2 (house only)  and a garden with more than 120 hectares! He had Zebras and many more exotic animals in the gardens. The house has more than 160 rooms, 2 pools a library etc. To many numbers I know. It is crazy and that is why you have to see that for yourselves. Don't miss the panoramic view over the fields and the ocean.

going South on Highway N1

Half Moon Bay

When I was planning this trip my father who joins me was not a big help to be honest. He did not care what we do and where we go. But he wanted to drive a Ford Mustang convertible. So I booked one and we picked it up at the airport after the San Francisco days. I would not suggest you to drive through this huge and crowded city by a car.
To be honest my father was right it was a great car and we had just enough space the two of us.

From now on the directions of our trip were quite easy. We drove south as long as we could and then turned into the land up north. After that west and back south to the airport.

On our route to the south our first break was in Half Moon bay. We wanted to see the beauty of the ocean.

outside our Carmel Inn - the lamp liter

The following route is breathtaking, beautiful, amazing and I would almost say something for your bucket list! The road leads along the sea, sometimes it sticks on the hillside, then again at sea level and every curve made the heart beat faster, which probably hides behind it. Take your time for these miles and drive from north to south so you always can take a photo stop easily and quickly.  

The raods lead us to Carmel-by-the-Sea and lucky as we were we found a very cozy Inn. It was so nice and calm that we had to stay for 2 nights. 

Carmel is a small town located on this beautiful beach. Lots of shops, restaurants all of the quite expensive but nice. So we headed for the only bar and were quite surprised that it was not expensive ;)

on 17-Mile Drive

 Carmel is a very good location for visits of nearby state Parks such as point Lobos or Big Sur and the 17-Mile Drive at Pebble Beach. Although the last one is not really a state park more like a forest with golf course and accommodation. But you can drive through and explore the nature.

Big Sur State Park was one of the highlights on the coast. We went for 2 hikes (first one was so quick and easy we needed more...) It is all about huge threes and hiking up the mountains. I loved this place since it was quite calm and being in the woods always gives me peace.

one of many spectacular views on Highway N1

 We both would have loved to stay longer in this region but we were short in time and eager so see more of the state of California.
So after 2 nights we continued our road towards Cambria and L.A.
I thought the way to Carmel was beautiful which it was but what I saw between Carmel and Cambria was even more beautiful, breathtaking.....

San Franciso in 3 days

As I told you we explored the city by foot on day 1. To see all the attractions such as the cable cars, Fishermans wharf, Transamerica Pyramid and so one it was quite easy to make by foot. Well it took us some time but well we had time.

What I really liked was the biketour we did on the next two days.

No Name Bar Sausalito

We rented some bikes (50$ per day) at the ferry building where the ferries leave for Tiburon / Sausalito. First we headed to the Golden Gate bridge alongside the piers. As it was so nice and easy we crossed the bridge and headed to Sausalito. Watch out for pedestrians and cyclists on the bridge. It can get really crowded and the road is quite narrow!
As we entered the town of Sausalito we were quite thirsty so we went to this bar to have a glass. They have live concerts and the barkeeper is a cool guy. So go and check it out.

Then we continued to Tiburon. A small town with lots of huge houses and nice pools. From Tiburon we took the ferry passing Alcatraz back to the pier were we took our bikes.
This route is very easy to make and quite interesting as you pass the bridge, the small towns and beautiful places alongside the sea.

Golden Gate Bridge without fog for 3 days!!!!

On day 3 we continued our bike ride trough the city. First we headed to Golden Gate Park. At the Japanese Tea Garden we bumped into a tour guide that was looking for any participants for a tour around the garden. She explained us how the Golden Gate Park was created and how the Japanese Tea Garden  was built and grew over the years. Thank you for this amazing and free tour!
After we went up the tower of M. H. de young Memorial Museum to enjoy the gorgeous view of the city. 
We followed the road in direction of the ocean and all of a sudden there was fog for the first and only time during our San Francisco stay. It got cold and nasty so we went for lunch. After that the bike lanes to us back to the pier via China Beach and Presidio.

California - getting there and around

rental car - I miss you...

From Switzerland there are non stopp flights to San Francisco and Los Angeles. Swiss in cooperation with United Airlines is flying daily. Then there are lots of flights with connection in New York, Dallas and so on.... But remember that you have to make the immigration at first airport in US so you need at least 3h connecting time.

From San Francisco Airport there is a train running to the city center. Tickets are cheap and you can get them at the train station SFO airport. It takes quite a time to get to the center.

The city of San Francisco is huge and there are so many thing to see and do.  If your hotel is centrally located you can see and do a lot by foot. Busses and metro are quite cheap and run very often. But we did not take them. On the first day we walked for hours and really enjoyed that. There are lots of bike rentals all over the city centre so we decided to rent a bicycle to explore the city and it's surrounding. This was a great idea as there are lots of bikelanes and it is not too steep at least it is not steep everywhere ;-)

To explore the state of California I recomend you to rent a car. I am really not a fan of cars but the USA is such a great country to be explored by car. So the Ford Mustang convertible just fitted us well ;-)

Let's go to San Francisco

Posts
I dream came true! The dream to go to San Francisco! Last autumn we flew over four a 14 days roundtrip. 


I got tickets by United Airlines which serves daily Zurich San Francisco non stopp. We had an enjoyable flight aboard the brand new aircraft. Thank you so much!

But I let me start from the beginning.
14 days in California is not enough but at least for a few things we had plenty of time. Big cities, the pacific ocean, mountains and wine regions. All that and much more is California!