The drive from Ft. Bragg (Mendocino) was beautiful, and some of the scariest driving I’ve done. Winding, narrow roads, along the cliff with no guard rails in many places, hairpin turns. In several places the road had washed out on the cliff side, and it was down to one lane, temporary traffic lights regulating flow. My palms were sweating for much of the drive. But the vista were amazing, when I could look at them.
We stopped at the Point Arena lighthouse, a stop well worth the time. The site features a small museum and gift hop and tours of the lighthouse, requiring a climb up 140+ stairs up a circular staircase. The climb was well worth it for the views, and the guides were very informative. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Arena_Light
Caroline on top of Point Arena lighthouse.
Leaving Point Arena, we continued south on the coast highway, slowly I might add. Conditions did not allow for driving much over 25-30 miles per hour for long stretches. We had a very forgettable lunch at the Lucas Wharf in Bodega Bay, then shortly after lunch CA 1, our highway, turned inland and the driving got easier. We then cut over through some very pretty farming and wine country and joined CA 101 and headed into San Francisco.
In San Francisco, we stayed at the Holiday Inn Fisherman’s Wharf, conveniently located to the tourist attractions of Fisherman’™s Wharf and to the bus stop for the tour bus, Big Bus. We ate dinner at a mediocre Italian restaurant then called it a day.
Next morning we hit the bricks early, actually the hop-on hop-off Big Bus, and started to see San Francisco.  the first stop was the Ferry Building. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Ferry_Building
Caroline outside Ferry Building. Shopping of course.
The Big Bus was a popular way t get around San Francisco as a tourist. This is the crowd waiting to board two full busses stopped at Union Square.
I don’t think this guy was waiting for the bus.
We rode the Big Bus across the Golden Gate Bridge, sitting on the open top of the bus. at 50 or so miles per hour, it was a windy, cold experience, but great views. Here is a view of Alcatraz in the distance as the bus went across the bridge.
Some other views from the bus:
We spent some time in Chinatown of course.
Caroline loves socks.
A couple of other shops in Chinatown:
Some other views around the town:
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We rode the cable car up to the top of Lombard Street, the most windy street in the world, or at least in San Francisco.
Finally a pencil sketch of a gnarled old tree that caught my attention.
Unfortunately, we had to return to reality. Â A really great trip with my daughter.
