Captivating California

As many of my regular readers know, my teaching trip to Elegant Stitch in Modesto, CA was my first ever trip to The Golden State. I have wanted to visit California since I was a little girl...and now I definitely know why...the area I was able to see was incredible. After taking care of business, I was invited to stay two extra days with Lois, Mr. Bear, and kiddies...we spent one extra day in San Francisco sightseeing and one in Berkeley doing a little shopping.

San Francisco was breathtaking...and I could not have asked for a better "tour guide"...Lois asked for a postcard day - and we had the most beautiful day I could have ever imagined. We saw ALL of San Francisco...we saw EVERYTHING...we left no stone unturned....and I think my jaw was dropped for most of the day. What a treat it was to see the city with someone from the area who knew exactly where to take me! We went on a Sunday, which greatly helped with traffic and congestion in the city...plus we left bright and early so we had an entire day to play. We did so much - I couldn't possibly cover it all...so, this will be the digest version with some of my favorite photographs...

We started the day by taking the Bay Bridge and stopped at Treasure Island for my first big view of the city:

After I took a bunch of photos on Treasure Island, we got back on the Bay Bridge and headed into San Francisco. We drove along the Embarcadero and I was quite taken with the waterfront and the piers. We made a stop by Ghirardelli Square on the west end of Fisherman's Wharf and walked out by the San Francisco Bay...where I got a couple good photos of Alcatraz Island:

We then took the Golden Gate Bridge to Vista Point and I was mesmerized by the size of the bridge - it truly left me speechless...

Next we drove through Sausalito (which I absolutely loved!) and Mill Valley before heading to the Marin Headlands. The Headlands were spectacular and Lois had to pick my jaw up a couple times - the views of the entire area were breathtaking...

After heading back over the Golden Gate Bridge, we made our way to Crissy Field and Fort Point. The walk was absolutely beautiful and I was able to take some AMAZING photographs...

Our scenic tour continued as we passed Lincoln Park Golf Course and Cliff House (just to name a few places) on our way to Twin Peaks. Twin Peaks gave us some of the most incredible views of the city - I took hundreds of photos.

Our sightseeing took us through Diamond Heights, The Castro, and The Haight....and we stopped at Mel's Drive-In Diner for a bite to eat. We then drove on the famous Lombard Street - the one-way section on Russian Hill between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets, where the roadway has eight sharp turns - this street has the distinction of being the crookedest [most winding] street in the world...when we reached the bottom, I jumped out and took this photo:

Coit Tower was our last major stop - and of course there were more beautiful views to photograph...

Before leaving the city, we drove through Chinatown, Union Square, and Downtown...where we stopped for a Starbucks...then we headed back along the Embarcadero to the Bay Bridge and back to Modesto. As you can see, it really was a picture perfect "postcard" day - I truly could have a love affair with this city - I can't wait to go back!!