Day One: Travel day – finally arrived in San Francisco. More on that debacle on Friday.
Day Two: Chinatown – including a stop at the Fortune Cookie Factory, and a walk up to Coit Tower to see amazing views of the city
Our first full (but foggy) view of the Golden Gate Bridge
Alcatraz
Looking at Coit Tower from the top of Lombard Street – easy to see why the views are so fabulous
Day Three: A 22 mile bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge, into Sausalito, up to Old Mill Park, and back down to Tiburon. We rented bikes from Blazing Saddles, but there are plenty of reputable companies in SF. These are the only photos I took on the bike ride; I was too busy trying to ignore the searing pain in my legs. But I had to prove we did it!
With trembling legs, we walked onto the ferry back to Fisherman’s Wharf and our hotel, where I did this:
That night we went on the evening Alcatraz tour, which I HIGHLY recommend. You can see parts of the prison that are inaccessible during the daytime, and it’s less crowded and creepier. Buy your tickets as soon as you know you are going; we were there on June 27th, and the next tickets available were for July 12th.
Home sweet home – all 5 ft by 9 ft of it.
The recreation yard
The hospital – this was the creepiest part of the prison
Day Four: The Exploratorium (at the excellent suggestion of Catherine!) – a fabulous hands-on science museum for kids of all ages
One of the fun exhibits – both the water fountain (behind me) and the toilet release clean water to drink, but can you get past drinking out of the loo?
Lunch in the Ferry Building, riding the cable cars, walking down Lombard Street, and famous clam chowder in a sourdough bowl at Boudin’s for dinner.
Out of the 350 pictures I took, this is the only one of all four of us.
Lombard Street – actually not the curviest street in SF, but definitely one of the prettiest.
I’ll confess, this was not the first bread bowl I ate in SF, but it was the best!
Day Five: Picked up the rental car, left San Francisco, and drove south on Highway 1, stopping at Henry Cowell State Park to see the redwoods and Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Spent the night in Monterey.
Muir Woods is the typical stop to see redwoods for visitors to San Francisco, but we were heading south, not north. Henry Cowell was not as busy as Muir Woods, and there is an easy 0.8 mile loop that was perfect for us – we didn’t have space to pack our hiking boots for this trip.
While 17-mile drive is popular with visitors to Monterey and Carmel, I thought it may bore the kids. Point Lobos was perfect; breathtaking scenery and you can walk the paths along and down to the water. We even saw one guy swimming until the sea lions got a little too close for comfort!
Day Six: Continued our drive down Highway 1, stopping in Cayucos for lunch and Santa Barbara for an afternoon at the beach and dinner oceanside. Spent the night about an hour south of Santa Barbara in Oxnard.
Highway 1 – you just don’t have roads like this on the East Coast
Sunbathing sea lions
Playing in the ocean in Santa Barbara
** Celebrity sighting!! **
Jason Segel of How I Met Your Mother fame was eating dinner at the same restaurant as we were. I never see anyone famous, so I was pretty excited.
Day Seven: Drove to San Diego, stopping first in La Jolla for lunch and a walk along the water and La Jolla cove. Walked around the Embarcadero in San Diego and just chilled after three days of mostly driving.
Day Eight: Spent the day at Sea World, and then strolled around Seaport Village after dinner.
The shows at Sea World – orca whales, sea lions, dolphins – are amazing.
I couldn’t resist singing “Baby Beluga” when we saw this guy. I still know all the words.
Day Nine: Toured the USS Midway, Old Town San Diego, and Coronado. The Midway is a retired aircraft carrier that is now a museum you can walk through with an audio tour. This was one place where my lack of height came in handy – those doorways are low!
I thought one hotel room for four of us was cramped…six smelly sailors in this little space made me reconsider!
There seems to be a prison theme to this vacation…
Old Town is an historic site recreating San Diego’s history as the “birthplace” of California. It reminded me a bit of Willisamsburg, VA in feel. We walked around for awhile until the kids lost interest, but not before we took a few silly photos.
Ma and Pa Ingalls
Because 22 miles wasn’t enough, we biked 8 more in Coronado. At least it was flat and I got to have a beer afterwards. No photos again because bikes and cameras don’t mix.
Day Ten: The San Diego Zoo – if you only do one thing in San Diego with kids, this is it. It is an amazing facility, with over 3,700 animals representing over 650 species and over 700,000 exotic plants.
Anyone seen Pumbaa?
This guy is 150 years old. He was born when Lincoln was President.
After the zoo we joined the rest of San Diego at the waterfront to watch the fireworks. Last year’s display was only 30 seconds long, with a computer glitch causing all the fireworks to be set off at once. This year’s show went off without a hitch, and we were back in our hotel across the street less than 10 minutes after they ended.
Day Eleven: Homeward bound! Here is the view I gazed upon during most of the vacation. The kids say I walked too slowly; I say what’s the rush?
If you’ve hung in until the end, thanks for reading! If you have vacation plans this summer, I hope you enjoy your time away as much as we did.
Just looking back at this after reading your AAF post, since we are going to San Fran next week!! I think mine are too young to survive that bike ride (and the youngest doesn’t ride without training wheels yet), but we plan to at least drive a cross and take the Bay Cruise underneath. You aren’t kidding about Al Catraz – we went online to buy tickets and, in Mid July, they were sold out through most of August already. 🙁 We are planning to do the Exploratorium, the Ferry Building, and Muir Woods. We are staying near Chinatown, but didn’t know about the cookie factory. Someone has also suggested the Yerba Buena Gardens and a beach that is near Muir Woods. 🙂
Matt and I went to Muir Woods years ago – beautiful. You’ll get some great pictures too! You could also take a ferry to Sausalito and Tiburon, which will give you a great view of the bridge if it’s not too foggy. Beautiful little towns. And don’t forget the cable cars and the free Ghiradelli chocolate!
Hi Dana, I just came across this today. What an awesome trip! And you didn’t miss San Diego like most people do. Impressive pics, too, especially the fireworks 🙂
Thank you for taking me back to my second home and most favorite place on Earth!
I’m glad I could take you back, Tamara! My husband and I love San Diego and were excited to take the kids. So different than San Francisco, but equally awesome.
This area is home to me! You saw some of our best spots!
I would love for you to share and link up at my weekly TGIF Link Party if you haven’t already this week. Your favorite posts, most popular, recent or new! The party is open every Thursday night and closes Wednesday’s at midnight. Followed by (Not SO) Wordless Wednesday! http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/. I would be honored if you join us! Have a wonderful week!
Hugs, Cathy
Thanks, Cathy – I will check out your link party this week.
YOU SAW JASON SEGEL!!! I believe I have written about him in at least two of my posts. I love him and I would have not been able to contain myself. How did you do it?
My dad took us on a trip to LA and San Francisco when I was 16, it was one of our more memorable trips. So beautiful. Thanks for sharing the pictures!
I was calm and collected – I didn’t want to bother him. I like him, but he’s not one of my OMG celebrities, so it wasn’t that hard.
Oh WOW! What a trip! I have ALWAYS wanted to go to San Francisco and do the whole Northern California trek. You got some amazing photos and if your trip was half as good as the pics and description seem, I am certain it’s a place I want to go! I laughed out loud at the computer glitch/ 30 sec firework show. That must have been one hell of a 30 second show!! I can only imagine. Glad it did not go that way for you guys though.
Me too! You can watch last year’s on You Tube – evidently it was all over the internet last summer. I’d love to go back to Northern California and spend time in Wine Country…that will be a trip for when we are empty nesters.
What an amazing trip! I love the recap. I would be worried that the toilet tank the water was coming from wasn’t clean. I think way too much about that stuff. Granted I won’t drink out of most water fountains either! Also, that bread bowl looks absolutely delicious.
Yeah, I wouldn’t drink out of that fountain again – I just had to prove to the kids that I wasn’t chicken. And the bread bowl was divine!
I loved seeing the photos of your trip. It makes me want to get back to San Fran ASAP. It also gives me some ideas for future travel. I’ll have to remember Point Lobos. Thanks for sharing your vacation pics. Glad you had fun.
Glad you enjoyed the pics, Kate. And definitely consider Point Lobos if you go to CA with the kids.
What an awesome trip! I’m glad you got to see San Diego. I’m a San Diegan myself and, although I do love Santa Barbara and San Fran, I personally think San Diego is a great place to visit. The weather wasn’t at it’s best on the 4th, but it looks like you had some fun~and saw some fireworks!
Nikki
Even not-great weather in San Diego is better than weather back home, Nikki! We missed a week or so of rain and humidity on the East Coast, so I won’t complain about some overcast days in California 🙂
Wow! You really did California! This is a fabulous trip. We did Monterrey, Big Sur and highway 1 last summer. This year I want to take the family to San Fran. Just contemplating if the young kids will drive us nuts on the drive. Glad you had a great time. Love the pics!
Thanks, Kerry. I know the drive down the coast warranted more than 2 days, but that’s all we could manage – I wanted to spend plenty of time in both cities.
Wow – what an amazing vacation!! I love San Francisco, the redwoods, San Diego. But we’ve never been to the zoo. My son would love the pandas and I’m a big koala lover. We’ll have to go sometime. Great pictures. I’m glad you had such a good time – thanks for sharing your vacation with us! So much fun to get a peek into different vacation adventures. (And I want some of that clam chowder! Sourdough bread…an Anchor Steam…and Lombard Street always reminds me of the Barbra Streisand movie “What’s Up Doc”. Have you seen it? Madcap car chases through the winding SF streets.
I haven’t seen it, but I do think of madcap car chases as I trudge up and down the hills of SF. And I tried Anchor Steam for the first time. My husband loves trying local beers and he really enjoyed a few of those!
Dana! This trip is amazing! I adore San Francisco and San Diego and everything in between. What a cool trip to take with your kids! I miss the west coast (I went to college near San Fran and Berkeley in Oakland (private women’s college that nobody’s ever heard of). I was in San Fran two years ago this coming October and your photos and adventures make me want to go back! What a great trip. I’m totally impressed at how you organized it and took advantage of the awesomeness of both Northern and Southern Cali. Jealous!
Thanks, Kristi – planning vacations is one of my strengths 🙂 I didn’t visit California until I was in my 20s, so I’m glad my kids experienced it sooner. Next time they go, it’s on their dime though!
Glad you loved California and my favorite city, San Diego! 😀
Ah, San Diego – it’s easy to be a weatherman in that city, isn’t it? Every day is beautiful…
This looks like a great trip! I have never been to California (I’m an East Coast girl) but would love to go sometime!
I’m an East Coast girl too – the West Coast is such a different experience. I hope you get a chance to visit, Lisa.
Beautiful pictures. Looks like a great trip!
It was a great trip, Tricia. Now it’s back to reality…at least it’s summer, though. Makes it easier when the kids don’t have to go back to school.
Glad everyone had a great time!
Thanks, Michelle!
Made me feel a bit weepy – I miss living in SF and visiting the surrounding areas. You were missed, my friend! Happy to see pictures of my favorite places.
Weepy and happy, huh? Glad I could bring back some good memories for you 🙂
So jealous of your planning abilities. What a fabulous family time together!!! I just passed your blog along to my mom…another great planner. They’re traveling to SF to celebrate their 50th Anniversary in September. Thanks for all the reviews!
Let me know if your mom needs any more information, Patti. There were times I wished you were with me on that bike ride – I could’ve used your encouragement!
i’m homesick for SF! can’t wait to see you in person and discuss the beluga. I think his hairdresser is a moil!
You can be homesick but you can’t move back. And stop turning the beluga into you know what.
Looks like an amazing vacation! Loved seeing all the pics. Welcome home.
Thanks Lisa 🙂
It looks like it was such a great vacation Dana!! I loved all the pictures and you gave me some ideas if we ever go back. I have been to some of the places you referenced….but many years ago! We’re going to Colorado later this summer but it’s mostly a trip to see family and friends.
I’ve never been to Colorado – it’s on my list, though. Hope you’ll post some pics when you get back!
It has been far too long since I have been to California. I love all your pictures – you are making me want to plan a road trip!
Glad you enjoyed the photos, Tracie – go plan that trip!
San Diego is definitely on my bucket list, as is most of Southern California to be quite honest. Hoping someday to get there with my husband and kids. But loved seeing all your photos and really looked like an amazing vacation. So happy you all had a fabulous time!! 🙂
Thank you, Janine. Your girls would love the zoo – hope you can get there with them one day!
What a great vacation! Your photos brought back so many good memories for me as I lived in California for 3 years when I was a teenager. Love that coastal drive from San Diego to San Francisco.
That drive was amazing, Susan – so glad I was the passenger so I was able to take in all the scenery.
YAY!! so happy to see a post. WOW what a great vacation babe, the views, the foods, the places, the happy faces. Yes getting a pic of all of us is always the hardest for me too. That prison hospital is horror-movie creeeeepy.
Your kids look like they are having a blast and really enjoyed this family time together. That must be the good part about having older kids, you get to collapse when you are tired.
It has become much easier to vacation with the kids, but it’s also more expensive. Breakfast, lunch and dinner for four full sized people can get pretty costly!
WOW! I love all the photos. Looks like you had a completely gorgeous time.
The bread bowl looks good – I’ll have to go and find out what one is.
And my goodness, that toilet fountain is really weird! I assume it’s ‘art’, and thereby meant to provoke a reaction.
The toilet fountain is kinda like art – it’s in a science museum, and it was next to a regular water fountain. It was an exercise of perception – even though the water is clean and drinkable, does your brain make it taste weird because it’s coming from a toilet? It was cool. And a bread bowl is a scooped out mini loaf of bread with soup in it – yummy!
That’s awesome! Kinda an exercise in overcoming our conditioning then?
The bread bowl sounds even more scrumptious now I know what it is 🙂
Dana, I happened to click on Bloglovin before bedtime and was soooo thrilled to read this post. I was beaming from ear to ear, happily experiencing your trip and then I see my name! That’s so nice of you to mention me. Looks like such a grand time filled with adventure and sight-seeing! I haven’t been to the San Diego zoo since I was young. I need to go back. Thank you for sharing. I really really loved looking through your pictures and getting to experience California through your eyes!
I’m so glad you enjoyed my post, Catherine! And I have to give credit where credit is due – I doubt we would have gone to the Exploratorium if I hadn’t read about it on your blog. And yes – you have to go back to the zoo!