Travelogue: Central California

My San Fran stats include having been to 50 sites and 49 restaurants/bakeries/ice cream shops. That makes this foray about revisiting favorites.

1 State

2,331 Miles

51 Hours and 3 minutes driving time

19 Restaurants

5 Bakeries

9 Ice cream shops

1 Drink place

Saturday, May 29th, 2021

Got to add an airport to the list, been to GWB Houston a lot, but never Hobby on the south side.

Flying into Oakland seeing the desolote area I would be navigating within days.

Took the BART into San Francisco.

Back on BART taking in the scenic views on the way to Berkeley.

Downtown Berkeley.

Telegraph

In 1968, hippies took control of a plot of land being developed for student housing, parking and offices. It became a battle between the leftist agitators and Governor Reagan's administration. That resulted in a park for homeless encampments. Such a benefit for the community.

Good thing there isn't Smell-O-Vision.

UC Berkeley

It has been synonymous with crazy leftism for decades.

It is a huge, rambling campus.

Chez Panisse opened in 1971, they have been promoting farm-to-table and organic long before they were trends. It was bad, so no food pictures.

Back on the BART to San Francisco taking in the scenery.

Meeting Aimee at Ferry Terminal.

Where I got Crunchy Cornflake Ice Cream from Humphry Slocombe.

Grubstake Diner in Nob Hill has been housed in a railcar since 1967.

Sometimes the ambience is more important than the food.

Sunday, May 30th, 2021

In Chinatown looking for a bakery never visited before.

It's always a treat to watch merchants setup for the day.

Heading into North Beach.

Washington Square.

Great breakfast spot! And an American flag in San Francisco?

Playing tourist on twisty Lombard.

Speaking of tourists...Fisherman's Wharf!

The Garlic Cheese Sourdough was outstanding.

Always thought Pier 39 is way too touristy.

Back on the Wharf for raw for lunch. Yum!

San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park is fantastic!

Originally, Eureka was a rail car and passenger ferry between San Francisco and Tiburon before the bridges spanned the bay.

In 1920, she was rebuilt as a car and passenger ferry and served until 1957.

When machinery was built with pride.

Look at the workmanship.

Just imagine. And folks knew how do dress!

Hercules was built in 1907!

How about these quarters?!

Nice woodwork for an engine room.

Alcatraz (Have been there and wanted to do it again, but booked through August.)

Schooner Thayer was built in 1895 and was in service all the way until 1950.

What a mighty vessel. Balclutha was built in Glasgow, Scotland in 1886. She sailed between San Francisco and Alaska from 1903 to 1930.

Crème Fraiche & Strawberries Peach Cobbler

Financial District

1908!

The history!

Roquefort Shrimp Salad Seasonal Greens, Shrimp, Crumbled Roquefort Cheese Tossed in Famous Creamy Bleu Cheese Vinaigrette. We split it, so this is a half order.

Excellent!

We also split a Filet. Once again they nailed it and that Potato Gratin was inhale good.

Back in Chinatown.

Monday, May 31st, 2021

Morning run through Financial District.

Through Ferry Terminal.

And past Bay Bridge.

BART to SFO to get a rental car.

An engineering marvel, great American accomplishment and great American symbol.

On to Pacific Coast Highway 1. Half Moon Bay.

At a crossroads in remote San Gregoria is the General Store.

It's been there since 1889.

Back on PCH1.

Tad inland to Pescadero.

It's one of those little remote towns that somehow becomes a tourist stop. There are boutiques in homes and old buildings along the main drag.

The woodworker in me admired the workmanship and creativity of design.

Duarte's has been serving since 1894.

Aimee picked the Garlic Fries, Mexican Coleslaw and Peach Pie. I went with their acclaimed Artichoke Soup.

Back on PCH1.

Santa Cruz Wharf

Beachgoers on the holiday.

Beach, Casino, Boardwalk

Imagine the history!

See!

And now.

Beautiful day.

It's REALLY well maintained.

LOVED downtown Santa Cruz.

The Penny Ice Creamery is so serious about making their own that they pasteurize their own milk.

Crème Fraiche Rhubarb Ice Cream on top of Homemade Graham Cracker, topped with Strawberry Preserves, Fresh Whipped Cream and Brown Sugar Walnuts

Tuesday, June 1st, 2021

Watsonville is....

Watsonville is...

..the strawberry capitol of the world. We saw acres upon acres.

Monterey

Old Fisherman's Wharf

The small downtown is very inviting.

Let's stroll more of this attractive town.

Up the coast a bit, Cannery Row was home of all the canneries when this area was a major fishing industry.

17 Mile Drive follows the Monterey Peninsula coast.

It is worth the $10.50 to enter this gated area.

You drive past multi-million dollar homes, stunning views and golf courses.

Most of the homes are hard to see.

The famed Lone Cyprus.

The famed Pebble Beach

Carmel-By-Sea oozes class.

Lunch at Tuck Box. Yeah. Cool.

Had to get their famed Scones. The rest was to get something healthy. But boy, those scones! And the cream!

Golf clubs in the passenger seat. Not much of a trunk...

Dropped Aimee off at Oakland International Airport and headed east, battling traffic.

To I-5 for 4 hours of driving south.

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021

Oil country. Someone should tell them gas engines will be obsolete by next year.

McKittirck. All of it.

Taft's downtown really touched me.

Maricopa

Several hours of driving and didn't see anyone.

See the road serpentine?

Ojai

The focal point of the Spanish Colonial architecture is this arcade.

Behind it is an inviting courtyard.

Had been third in line when they opened. Had a taco.

Bart's Books has been tucked in a neighborhood since 1973.

What do they do when it storms?

Revisited Ventura because...look at this Main Street!

It's a timeline.

See?!

Back on the 101, that is Mussel Shoals at the pier.

Carpinteria

Last time in Santa Barbara was 21 years ago before a private tour of President Reagan's beloved ranch in the Santa Ynez mountains.

Such a pleasant town.

Eureka Lemon & Marionberries (lemons from Eureka, CA; marionberry preservers from Willamette Valley, milk and cream from central coast)

Past Lompoc.

A feeling of the old west in remote California.

Down to earth Pismo Beach.

Remote driving for a couple of hours.

Was at this crossroads in 2017.

On September 30, 1955 James Dean was driving his Porsche Speedster at this junction.

A 23 year old student crossed the center line and Dean attempted to avoid the crash.

He died in a head on collision.

A little south is a memorial.

Getting closer to the coast.

Thursday, June 3rd, 2021

Last time in San Simeon was to visit the amazing Hearst Castle, this time for an overnight and morning run.

Back on PCH1 to head north, this area starts out at closer to sea level.

It was so neat to watch these elephant seals.

The fog limited the vistas, but did provide atmosphere.

Heading north, PCH1 climbs higher as it wraps itself along the mountains.

This was at a drop off, was careful since I was still dealing with a broken finger. Don't want to break anything else.

Maybe the most famous PCH bridge- Bixby, 1932.

Big Sur

Feels like I was in Pacific Grove just days ago...since we were.

Red House Cafe. Wonder where it gets its name?

Textbook perfect Calamari Steaks.

Big agricultural area around Salinas.

Salinas was a great town.

Then it was 2 hours of not seeing anyone.

Can see forever

Often, you must navigate roads like this to see the greatness of America.

Last time in Hanford was for a legendary ice cream shop. Tonight it was to relish at a festival at Courthouse Square.

Churro Bubble Waffle with Caramel Ice Cream. Add strawberries and bananas to make it healthy.

Friday, June 4th, 2021

Happy Donut Day!

Spent the bulk of the day in very remote, and high altitude areas.

Often, you must navigate roads like this to see the greatness of America.

5,000 feet.

6,000 feet.

Civilization, oh wait....

Civilization, oh wait....

Death Valley at the horizon.

Heading back into the mountains.

Looking back before climbing higher.

The next few hours without seeing another car.

Entering Sequoia National Forest.

Approaching 9,000 feet.

Past forest fires. Sad.

After a few hours made it to Sequoia National Monument and Trail of Giants.

Civilization!

Sequoia National Park. If that is not clear.

Giants Woods

Using the wide angle to get the full height in.

General Sherman is the largest tree in the world by volume.

I was smiling. In case you can't tell.

National Parks always have great buildings that match their environment.

The auto log, that has since caved in.

As the sun sets.

Kings Canyon

Saturday, June 5th, 2021

Second time in Fresno.

And first time crossing the to the wrong side of the tracks in Fresno, figuratively and literally.

Heading east, near Yosemite.

After navigating some rollicking hills made it to Hornitos.

In the late 1800s it was a bustling gold rush town.

Today it has a population of 75.

Domingo Ghirardelli had a general store here used to perfect his chocolate.

Me and the open road.

Castle Air Museum

Atwater

It opened in 1981.

It has over 70 restored planes.

From before WWII.

The third Blackbird I've seen.

VC-9 served 1974 to 2005 acting at Air Force One twice, Air Force Two a lot (and mostly for Mrs. Reagan) and for various cabinet members. Got a private tour of the interior, but no pictures allowed.