California Dreamin'-A 14 Day Odyssey to San Fran,Yosemite & DL! 8/2013 COMPLETE!1/9!!

[franandaj]

Hey girl! I don't know what you did, but all of a sudden I can see all the links to your TRs!

 

[knewton64]

I am just drooling over yer pics!!


you even gave me an idea.....nibble on some fruit while 'taste testing" some Pinot Noir or
Merlot Calif red wines while relaxing overnight(s) in 99 more days.



BUT -
whose countin'?
(and to think, the very last full day I am there will be spent touring Napa Valley)




Can't wait to hear more; esp more about Muirr Woods.





T.T.F.N.

 

[KristiP]

I love your trip reports!!! My husband and I went to Yosemite this summer in June and to San Fran. I loved it and I can't wait to read your trip report

 

[2xcited2sleep]

You take the best vacations!! I love how much research you do and how much care you take to find the perfect things to do. You are going to be a great travel agent!! I would follow one of your trip itineraries anyday!!!

So have you seen yourself on QVC? I don't typically watch it but might have to put it on one afternoon just to see if i can spot you.

What a lovely gift of fruit and wine. Yum!!!

That is amazing that Timmy tried the oysters if he is generally pretty picky. Good for him! I am only getting adventurous in my old age. But not that adventuous.

Looking forward to more!!!

 

[englishrose47]

Ellen what are your thoughts on them changing from GAC to some FP + system ???

 

[podsnel]

.....your TR is already up to page 7!!



Hmmmmm.....I have gots to get caught up.
(love the topic)
I am very excited for you- SUCH a great place!

hey - Q: did you take the trolley?? how much of a challenge was it to take it or didcha walk??

We took a cable car, that was very easy from Fisherman's wharf right to where we were staying. The lines for trolleys in August are INSANE!!! The best advice we heard (from our private tour guide) was to ride very early or very late- but with everything we had packed in while we were there, those times didn't fit in, and T&T were ok not riding (Pods and I have in the past). I hope you have better luck in January!

I am going to China town from Pier 39 via the trolley (in early January) to Union Square and back & just a wonderin'.


T.T.F.N.

Hi Ellen,
I am so excited for you and your California trip. What a nice gesture from your Dis friend to send you a welcome/thank you gift! You definitely deserve it for giving us all many hours of pleasure reading your trip reports.

Thank you so much! And it was the sweetest, most special feeling every time we took a sip or a bite!

I was very lucky to visit San Francisco in 2010. We planned an Alaska cruise for our 40th anniversary and I was sooo smart and found a Celebrity Alaskan cruise sailing out of San Francisco! So we had four fabulous days in San Francisco before sailing off to the beautiful scenery in Alaska. I'll never forget it.

Smart girl! How was celebrity? How was Alaska? I am dying to go!!!

Looking forward to seeing your photos and thoughts of Muir Woods. We thought it was amazing.

Nora

I adore Muir Woods- such a peaceful, serene, beautiful and awe inspiring place.

Sadly, I haven't yet. HOWEVER, I am heavily into vacation planning for 2014 right now. My mom wants to do something with us - we were going to do the DCL Alaska cruise again, but the family friend who would split a stateroom with my mom bailed on us, so that probably won't happen. I think it's a blessing in disguise, because the cost is , and I'd rather put that off a year.

That is the cruise I would love to take next summer, but I can't get the boys on-board with the idea of heading north on our summer vacation. So, NOW when I look at the prices I am because it's too late....

So I am making a list of options for my mom and will be going over all of them with her shortly. Top of my list are Hawaii and .. wait for it .... fly to SF and spend a few days visiting friends and family and enjoying the city, then rent a car and drive the Pacific Coast Highway over the course of 4-5 days, and then end with a few days at DLR! OMG - I am LOVING this idea!!!

Oh- I LOVE that itinerary!! Such a gorgeous drive! Are you stopping at San Simeon? One of our favorite things was going to the Hearst Castle when we did that drive- the stories from there are fascinating!!

 

[podsnel]

Oh, all those great memories of vacations past!

Love the update! Breakfast looks really good, sorry there was nothing for Timmy. I had to seeing the elevator photo. How fun is that.
Muir Woods is beautiful. I cannot wait to see more of your photos, it has been a while since Tom and I were there, definitely will have to go back after seeing your pics.

OMG, Timmy on the elevator!! He would NOT move...even when people were getting on and couldn't get past him!!

What a wonderful gift to welcome you to California. Joseph Phelps is definitely a great wine!

Oh yes it was!

I've seen lots of people go to that Museum of old games and stuff, looks like a lot of fun.

I couldn't believe when you showed the picture of how touristy the area has become. I used to go up there on weekends when I first got my driver's license. Pier 39 was still relatively new and there were hardly any chain stores/restaurants there. The photo you posted was jam packed full of them.

Yea, it really changed from our last visit, too-

I remember too not being able to afford to eat from anywhere but the little stands along the walkway where you get a shrimp cocktail or something in a paper container. We treated ourselves to Aliotos because that was a big name restaurant, the food was pretty good too, but I've heard that Scoma's is really the place to go down there. Everything looked great! Um that's a plate of oysters for ME! What would everyone else eat?

Me too! Aliotos was the one I checked out first- because that is the one I have seen since I was a kid on every postcard and photo! The reviews are HORRIBLE!!! Scomas was a great choice.

The Exploratorium is so much fun, you don't even have to be a kid! I went there a few years back and had blast, just all those darned kids kept getting in my way to play with all the cool experiments!

I think they have an adult night there- with cocktails! Or is that the Museum of Sciences over in the park? Hmm...well, either way...it's with adults and it's with cocktails!! I am IN next time!

I didn't realize that it had moved either!



I can see all of mine, but I make sure that it all fits in my preview before I save it. I can't see it all when I'm on my phone. I'll have to try making my screen smaller and look again.

The SF Bridge looks very nice. I haven't been to Muir woods. Looking forward to hearing more!

Soon- maybe even tonight- both Pods and I are getting new cars and the search is taking up alot of time....

Oh, I am LOVING all the pics from your SF morning. The Bay Bridge picture is truly gorgeous - and again homesick-making (I commuted across that bridge every day for quite a few years). Can't wait to hear about your time at Muir Woods and hear what you get up to next!

There are MANY MANY MANY more homesick pics coming soon!

That breakfast looked great !!! So Funny about the elevator !!! Can't wait to see the next set of pix !!!

He was TERRIFIED!!!

Hey girl! I don't know what you did, but all of a sudden I can see all the links to your TRs!

I did nothing! That's so weird!!

 

[podsnel]

I am just drooling over yer pics!!


you even gave me an idea.....nibble on some fruit while 'taste testing" some Pinot Noir or
Merlot Calif red wines while relaxing overnight(s) in 99 more days.



BUT -
whose countin'?
(and to think, the very last full day I am there will be spent touring Napa Valley)




Can't wait to hear more; esp more about Muirr Woods.





T.T.F.N.

I did miss a visit to wine country this trip- but I just couldn't do it to the boys, they would have been bored senseless. I'll have to enjoy it through YOUR eyes this round!

I love your trip reports!!! My husband and I went to Yosemite this summer in June and to San Fran. I loved it and I can't wait to read your trip report

Awww..... That's so nice of you to say, thank you!! It's a great trip, combining those two places, isn't it?

You take the best vacations!! I love how much research you do and how much care you take to find the perfect things to do. You are going to be a great travel agent!! I would follow one of your trip itineraries anyday!!!

Great! Thanks! Where do you want me to send you?

So have you seen yourself on QVC? I don't typically watch it but might have to put it on one afternoon just to see if i can spot you.

No, I haven't- I don't really watch it. OOPS- Is that bad for me to say now that I'm a spokes model and all? If you see me, let me know!

What a lovely gift of fruit and wine. Yum!!!

SOOOOO lovely!

That is amazing that Timmy tried the oysters if he is generally pretty picky. Good for him! I am only getting adventurous in my old age. But not that adventuous.

Looking forward to more!!!

He has had them before- clams- but not oysters, I don't think- always good to try something, right?!

Ellen what are your thoughts on them changing from GAC to some FP + system ???

I am not aware of what they have decided for GAC visitors- I do know they are figuring out FP+ right now at some of the resorts, but I am not sure how that will fit in with GAC yet- what have you heard? Is it that we will get a pager or something whne our line waiting time is up or something? I think I may have heard something like that, but not sure...

 

[podsnel]

So...off and into Muir Woods we went.



It is so peaceful there, especially when you arrive before the masses (and the masses WILL be coming- have no fear).





If you have been before, then you know how good it smells here- it is positively heavenly, the fragrance of a Redwood forest. We stopped to go inside one of these majestic giants-





Even if they are not as big around as the Giant Sequoias we would be seeing in Yosemite, they are still just so huge!! They can grow to 380 feet, but the tallest tree here is 258 feet. Most of these trees are between 500 and 800 years old, with the oldest being at least 1200 years! Their pinecones are so tiny- and the seeds that are released from those pinecones are the size of a tomato seed. Once again proving, even the tiniest seed, when planted in the right place, can grow into the biggest of things. There are many trails here, and most are paved on the floor of the woods- much to my sons' disappointment (thrill seeking adrenaline junkies need unpaved cliffs and rock and roots to scramble over, dont ya know). But there was a trail that went uphill, so of COURSE we took it...



That perked up the kids a bit. What can I tell ya- Kauai hiking has RUINED them for anything that does not involve insanity climbing! But this was not all that strenuous- it was just up, and you could look down to the other trail from it-



UP! Always UP!





I ran ahead-



the lead I had on them did not last long, lol!





Cont'd next post-

 

[podsnel]

Lots of people made their mark on this fallen tree-



Not us, tho, we just looked!



We were on the Hillside trail, above the Cathedral Grove-



Now, that's a little more like it!









The boys in the band-





I was having issues with my camera on this trip- which have since stopped. For some reason, I could not get the flash to pop up when I wanted it to- it kept malfunctioning. It was SO frustrating!!



This view just does not grow old to me-





Dizzying, isn't it? The trees just make me feel so small- and so in awe- and so close to God.





It sounds like this-

Click to play-


Look MEK! A spirit in the woods! Probably John Muir!



Well, he's gone-



Have you seen enough trees yet?



How about one on the side?




Yes, and ummm well....I still have a few more...... cont'd next post....

 

[podsnel]

So beautiful in Muir Woods-



We passed by the trail I had desperately wanted to do, the Ocean View Trail.



But not today....young Mr. Tim was getting hungry- and that, my friends, is NEVER good or even OK news! We had to get back to the Visitor Center and feed that growing boy FAST, before it was too late! On the way-

Family circles-







We thought it was so interesting to see that there were so many of these and other sequoias everywhere so many, many years ago-



Time for just one more pic! Keep in mind, Timmy is over 6' tall....



Closer up-



While the boys found something to eat, I did a little shopping and picked up a tshirt, a Christmas ornament and a decal for my suitcase (I have the hard suitcases and I have started putting decals on them from our travels. ). Back outside, we were relieved to see that Timmy ate just in time, before he turned into...



With John Muir-





A wonderful way to spend our morning. Oh- and, by the way, the masses? They were in full force by the time we came down from the hillside trail- buses and buses and car-fulls of them. The line just to get up to the window to pay for entrance was 30 or 40 people deep. Remember that empty parking lot we left?



Oh! Looks like Mr. Muir is following us again!

Anyway, this was at



But wait! There's more parking! Just down the road-



For more than a mile, I kid you not. I'm glad we saved our hoofin' mileage for in the woods!

When you leave Muir Woods, you go through Mt. Tamalpais State Park on Muir Woods Rd. It's a fun drive! Reminded us of St John- with better road conditions, and right side driving instead of left.

Click to play-


Here's a link to a map of Muir Woods, if you'd like to see more detail-

http://mappery.com/map-of/Muir-Woods-Trail-Map-2

Up next- Dim Sum at Yank Sing and a 4 hour tour......

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Muir Woods is just freaking awesome! I love huge trees like those, it was rather dizzying to look up like your photos.

The pictures of Tyler & Tim side by side are eye opening. Tim's legs are much longer than Tyler's, makes Tyler look so short which he isn't!LOL

 

[jedijill]

Great tree pics! Those trees are amazing and so old. Magnificent!

Your boys are getting tall!

Jill in CO

 

[rentayenta]

Wow wow wow. Michael has always wanted to do the *Big Tree Tour*. I think I'll agree now. Stunning photos.

 

[MEK]

Look MEK! A spirit in the woods! Probably John Muir!

Hey, it's possible! In fact, I think its highly probable.

Well, he's gone-

Never gone. Only hiding.


That forest is spectacular and the height of the trees is dizzying. Note to self - get there early. Really early!

That breakfast spread looks delish and the view of the GGB looks amazing. Wow!

 

[dizneeat]

Spectacular photos. It's so awesome to look up those trees.

 

[KristiMc]

Great photos! I love the ones standing inside the tree.

 

[podsnel]

Muir Woods is just freaking awesome! I love huge trees like those, it was rather dizzying to look up like your photos.

It IS freaking awesome!!! And I am glad my photos were dizzying- I was trying to show what it's really like there.

The pictures of Tyler & Tim side by side are eye opening. Tim's legs are much longer than Tyler's, makes Tyler look so short which he isn't!LOL

It's so crazy, right?? Pods says when he jogs with Timmy, Tim has 2 HUGE strides to 5 of his, lol!

Great tree pics! Those trees are amazing and so old. Magnificent!

Your boys are getting tall!

Jill in CO

Those trees are amazing, you are right!! And the boys are like 6'1 and 5'10 right now- CRAZY!

Wow wow wow. Michael has always wanted to do the *Big Tree Tour*. I think I'll agree now. Stunning photos.

I am so glad you were inspired- you will love it- it really feels great there.

Hey, it's possible! In fact, I think its highly probable.

Well then John Muir followed us back into SF, because he makes another appearance on Angel Island....



Never gone. Only hiding.


That forest is spectacular and the height of the trees is dizzying. Note to self - get there early. Really early!

That breakfast spread looks delish and the view of the GGB looks amazing. Wow!

The view from the RC was the Bay Bridge- the one that goes to Oakland- also the one that had that horrible tragedy years back that they are almost done fixing- more on that soon-

Spectacular photos. It's so awesome to look up those trees.

It really is not to be missed! That was why I planned it for the first day- I didn't want it to get x'd out-

Great photos! I love the ones standing inside the tree.

Thanks! We stand in more trees in Yosemite- Although I don't think I am in any of those. So you will just have to imagine me there, lol-

 

[jenseib]

Those woods look awesome. I do love woods. We had a couple that we owned when I was a kid and I just enjoyed going there and walking around and having fun by myself or with my cousins. Now I get my fill at the local metro parks when I get time.

 

[chattadisser]

What wonderful pictures. It is just breath-taking. Thanks for the videos imbedded, they just added to the feeling of being there.

Do you think you could have stayed longer at Muir Woods? Just trying to figure out how much time out of a trip to dedicate to it.

Can't wait to see what is coming up next!

Christine