San Francisco!

This morning, we ate breakfast at the Petaluma Hotel and then left for San Francisco. Before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, we stopped for some photos:

We then crossed the bridge and drove down Lombard Street because that is a requirement when one goes to Frisco (another requirement is never to call it Frisco).

 We then parked at Union Square. The plan was to take a cable car from Union Square to Fisherman's Wharf, but wouldn't you know it, the cable cars are shut down for repairs. So we hoofed it through Chinatown and Little Italy to the wharf. Chinatown was fascinating. Apparently it's the largest Chinatown outside of actual China. The small grocery and vegetable shops were intriguing, with may unfamiliar items and signs entirely in Chinese. I really felt like I was in a different country. Like maybe China.

Down at the wharf, there was a pier with antique ships as well as a shop where craftsmen restored antique boats. Like this one:

 For lunch, we had sourdough sandwiches at Boudin Bakery Cafe. And washed them down with a cold Anchor Steam beer:

We walked up to Ghiradelli Square and visited the San Fransisco Brewing Company. On our way back to our car, I got a picture of a van we'd been seeing driving around all day. Now that's got San Fransisco written all over it:

Leaving San Fransisco, we headed to Monterey. There was SO MUCH TRAFFIC! About ten miles before our destination, we drove through acres and acres of vegetable farms: Brussel's sprouts, artichokes, and strawberries. It was, quite literally, strawberry fields forever.

We checked into the Abrego Hotel, and had a sumptuous dinner of cheese, hard salami, hummus, and crackers, along with some pears, plums, and apples provided by our hosts Les and Sue. Oh, and a delicious bottle of Durant Pinot Noir, also compliments of our hosts!

Tomorrow's plan is to see the sights in and around Monterey. Looks like the weather is going to be outstanding!