Exploring the Streets of San Francisco

When we weren't watching the Blue Angels we were exploring the city on foot which was not only great exercise but a fun way to experience all the different sites and neighborhoods in San Francisco.

We walked around Fisherman's Wharf, having fresh crab & lobster for lunch from one of the many street side vendors.

The Parade of Ships - Fleet Week

There were many events during Fleet week but one I did not want to miss was the parade of ships. The weather could not be much better, no fog, sunny, warm, just a perfect day on the bay. 

The first ship was the FFD Fireboat "Guardian"

 Followed by the USS Cape St. George

Thursday's Practice Flights for the Blue Angels, Fleet Week SF

We know that Thursday was the practice flights for the Blue Angels we just had no idea they would be flying for so long. They took off around 1:00pm and flew for 2 plus hours. Then took to the sky around 4:00pm doing a practice show.

  Here are a few of the pictures. They were just awesome. We had a great time watching them flying over the city.

 A sailing school was out in the bay and kept getting buzzed.

A week in San Francisco

After driving 1291 miles it was time to turn in the car in San Francisco and explore the city on foot.
The whole reason we set up this trip was to be here for Fleet Week, Oct 5 - 12, 2015. We love watching the Blue Angels fly and what could be better then seeing them flying over the bay in this wonderful city.

Biking the Golden Gate Bridge

One of the things I have always wanted to do is to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. The Inn Above Tide offers bikes so we sent out on a beautiful morning to do just that.

The only thing that I had forgotten was the steep hills to get to the bridge, very steep.

I had to get off and walk my bike up a few of them, it was a tough climb even on foot.
It was worth it once I got to the the bridge, the views are great and you can stop to take some pictures. It was a cool to ride across. It was football Sunday so I was dressed in my Eagles wear and got a GO BIRDS from a fellow biker.

Thankfully it was all downhill on the return ride.

The Inn Above Tide, Sausalito, California

 We have been to San Francisco many times and one of the places I have always wanted to spend some time in was Sausalito. I have sent a few of my clients there over the years with rave reviews. It was my turn now.

 We are staying at The Inn Above Tide which is the only hotel which is actually on the bay plus right in town with an easy walk to everything. Location, location, location. We have panoramic bay views of Alcartraz, Angel Island, and the city skyline.

 

The Avenue of the Giants

We spent the night in Eureka which was a good resting spot after all day in Redwood National Park. Crescent City is the Northern entrance to the park and Eureka is the Southern entrance.
We had a 6 hour drive to Sausalito.

On the way we took the 31 mile scenic drive through the Avenue of the Giants. It was magnificent.
I thought after seeing the redwoods yesterday how much more could I be wowed. Well this actually surpassed it.

It was early and not many cars. At one point I was laying down looking up at these magnificent giants.

Redwood National Park

Hwy 101 takes you right through Redwood National Park and there are plenty of places to stop and enjoy these huge redwoods. Having done a little research there were a few areas and hikes I wanted to do. We only had a few hours so I needed a little game plan.
Instead of staying on 101 we took old 101 which is now, Newton Drury Parkway. On this 10 mile drive we got to see the Corkscrew Tree.

Big Tree which is estimated to be 1500 yrs old, 304 feet in height, diameter is 21.6 and the circumference is 68 feet. That is one old and huge tree.

We hiked in tall tree grove which was magnificent. My favorite was Lady Bird Johnson Grove. It is a 1.5 mile trail that is just amazing.

Battery Point Lighthouse

In Crescent City, Ca before you enter into the Redwood National Park is the Battery Point Lighthouse. We decided to see one last one. This one at high tide becomes an island. The interesting thing is that a light keeper lives here year round. I can not imagine life in a light house.

We did it, 363 miles down the Oregon Coast. What an adventure it was. It was just beautiful the whole coast. I know I have over used that word but not sure what else can be said.

Next stop Redwood National Park.

Gold Beach, Oregon - Anna's by the Sea

Our last stop along the Coast is Gold Beach. We are staying 1 night at the Pacific Reef Resort.

It is located ocean front and very comfortable.

If you need driftwood this is the place to get it. The whole beach is covered with driftwood.

We are only here for 1 night and we arrived late in the afternoon so we did not get a chance to do a whole lot around town. We did discover a wonderful place to have dinner.
Anna's by the Sea. It was a dining experience we will won' forget. Everything about it was unique from the moment we were greeted by Peter, chef/owner to the last drop of wine.

Driving down the South Coast of Oregon

Once we left the town of Yachats we entered what is considered the South Coast of Oregon. We passed the towering sand dunes of the Oregon Dunes National Park and lots of little coastal cities. The views are just amazing, ocean views, rocks, mile after mile of beauty.
The last couple of lighthouses on our list were all along the way.

Umpqua River Lighthouse - Winchester Bay (mile 215.6)

Cape Arago Lighthouse -  This one gave us a wild goose chase. We had to leave 101 and drive 12 miles to where is was suppose to be located but we did not see any lighthouse. We went to the viewing spot before Shore Acres but saw nothing. Its a mystery

Dining in the town of Yachats

 The town of Yachats has some good restaurants and some with interesting stories. The Drift Inn being one of them. We had a wonderful lunch here plus got to read the story of Lester who once owned the inn, along with the continuing story of the inn today. Want to go where the locals go, this is the place, good food, good drinks, friendly people, and good music.

Heceta Head Lighthouse

The next lighthouse to see going down the coast from Yachats is the Heceta Head Lighthouse. It sit on top of Heceta Head 1000 feet high.

This was one of my favorites, you got a little hike to get to it 1/2 mile and wonderful views.

There are some nice trails around the lighthouse, the hobbit trail being on of them.

Cape Perpetua Park & Yachats

One of my favorite areas so far on this trip has been Cape Perpetua, which is just 2 miles south of Yachats. There has been many beautiful locations along the coast but for some reason this spot just seem to capture it all.

  There are hiking trails, tide pools, lava rock, beach, 500 year old spruce and a lookout point which is the highest in the Oregon coast.

Yachats known as the "Gem of the Oregon Coast.

The next place we are staying on the trip down the coast is in the town of Yachats (mile 164.4). It is a small little town, population 703 located in the Central Coast along the Yachats River.

Before arriving Yachats we passed through the town of Newport Beach which is a large town compared to where we have been so far. Everything you want is located there. I enjoyed visiting the  the historic district of Nye Beach, which dates back to the 1800's.

Yaquina Bay Bridge

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is located just passed Newport beach.