As some of you have asked, I’ll share the highlights of our California holiday with you. Hope you find it interesting.
Firstly I cannot start without saying how much we enjoyed our brief Arizona experience though. Scottsdale was fantastic. We stayed close to Old Town where it was easy to get into that old western town feeling. There are new very modern places around the Fashion Square Mall area and North Scottsdale where enormous resorts have been built over recent years. But the quaint Old Town with old fashioned western style shops and lovely surrounding gardens actually ticked all our boxes y) They even have a singing cowboy sitting on his horse playing a guitar on a Saturday afternoon. A car would have enabled us to travel further into the Senoran Desert and onwards to Sedona. We hope to return to the area next year.
We flew US Airways from PHX into Monterey airport which is a tiny little regional airport. Picked up a car from their car park and drove along the Pacific Grove coastline into Carmel. Sadly the weather was cold and grey – such a contrast to the sunny warm climate of Scottsdale. We stayed at the Best Bestern Carmel View hotel. We was allocated a beautiful, recently renovated, top floor suite with sea views (we think !!) ii) The BW is a nice hotel with a small pool, not needed!!, Wifi & breakfast included. There is a deli right next door to the hotel, where we had our picnic sandwiches made up and my friend purchased her wine fix. Carmel is a quaint little town, easily explored by foot and there are plenty of shop & restaurants. We always drove down to the sea front, as walking up the hills was strenuous. The beach front is very pretty with coastal paved trails in both directions but sadly it was always too cold & windy to venture out very far
On a particular grey miserable day, we drove up to the Gilroy Premium outlet shops and then called into a shopping Mall on the way back. Not very exciting but it was something to do. Shopping in California not vast as it is in Florida.
We forced ourselves to drive the Big Sur as planned. We headed out along Highway 1 into thick cloud, couldn’t even see as we approached the Bixby Bridge as the cloud was sweeping down off of the hills. After this point the weather improved a bit. We stopped numerous times and did a short walk along the trails, getting windblown. We travelled along the pretty twisting highway (only single lane in each direction with horrendous drops!). We eventually found the McWay Falls. Having parked in a pullover bay, we walked down a slope and along to the view of the waterfall which cascades some 70 feet from the sea cliffs into a remote beach below. The views along the coast from here were stunning but shrouded in heavy mist. The sun never shone and the water looked grey.
We drove along another 10 miles before turning back on ourselves. We got some sandwiches from a little village store and then sat in the car and had a picnic. We then stopped at Garrapta State Park and walked down to the beach. Then we drove on and into Point Lobos State Park. Once parked, we walked some of the paved trails to the various coves with wonderful views. Saw the Sea Lions on the rocks below, briefly saw a whale far out in the ocean and walked to the Whales Cove where there was numerous baby seals having just been born. Eventually drove back into Carmel at 7.30pm just before it was dark.
We spent a morning in Monterey but around the popular tourist spots the crowds were enormous. Monterey at midday is when the coach parties drop off for a break. We managed to have a pleasant meal at the Fish Hopper overlooking Monterey Bay before heading back to window shop in Carmel.
On our last day in Carmel, on route to SF, we decided to drive the Famous scenic 17-Mile Drive. The weather by now was sunny – chilly breeze but that sunshine made the pacific look fantastic. The roadway was empty because it was early. We had plenty of time to stop and take in the views. We had a morning coffee at the Spanish Bay Golf Club overlooking the course. Drove on a bit then parked and walked along the beach paths. Some of the overlook areas were closed off as it was the harbour seal pup season.
Finally we stopped for lunch at the Pebble Beach golf club. Now I am not interested in golf but this place was awesome. It amazed me that we was able to walk around so freely. I sent a Whatsapp photo back to my son who replied “no way, you lucky person”. He did get a rather expensive shirt and cap. Our lunch here was not that expensive and was on the outside terrace looking over the 18th tee and the Pacific Ocean.
We had to pull ourselves away from this area and head onto the 101 freeway to San Francisco. The drive was not that bad and once we arrived at SFO, the car hire return depot was well sign posted. We then had to catch the transit shuttle back to a terminal in order to get a taxicab into the city.
We checked into the Marriott on Fisherman’s Wharf. Being a Marriott member, I got a nice upgraded room with a courtyard view. I thought it was be nice to stay near Fisherman's Wharf but we found it very crowded and busy. The weekend arrival probably didn’t help. Luckily the hotel was at the far end, so we could escape the crowds a bit and sit in the gardens opposite the Ghirardelli complex. On Saturday evening we had a really pleasant meal in the Fog Harbor restaurant overlooking the bay.
On the Sunday morning we walked the Golden Gate Bridge and then managed to get a lift back on a tour bus - $10 well spent. Later we ventured up to Union Square via cable car, which broke down on route. Thank god it wasn’t a brake issue! The Square was heaving with people and nothing like I remembered it of 5 years ago. The problem is they are building some sort of underground rail link. The roadworks are horrendous. We stayed at the Taj on Campton Street previously but luckily didn’t choose it this time because the hotel is right slap bang in the middle of road works. I would recommend anyone planning to stay in this Union Square area to check with the hotel about the roadworks. The noise and mess was awful. Lots of the streets are closed off. We did some shopping in the designer stores and then headed back, by trolley bus this time.
On the Monday we caught the bus to the Golden Gate Park. Spent the early part of the morning here walking around the lovely gardens and lakes. Very peaceful. Then we hopped on the bus again for a few blocks and got off to start a long coastal trail walk from the Balboa Park area right around to China beach, some six miles away. Had a lovely lunch at a café overlooking the Ocean and saw a couple of enormous cruise liners coming in. When the trail ended, we walked down to China Beach where you get magnificent views of the GG bridge from a different angle.
On Tuesday we took a tour to the Muir Woods. Initially we had hoped to do Yosemite Park but sadly this did not happen Apparently it is a long 5hrs coach trip there with about just 3hours in the park and then 5 hours back. The tour operator suggested staying over but we didn’t have the time for that, so chose Muir Woods instead. This was a morning tour driving along pretty countryside to get there. The national park is amazing. Those Redwood trees are hundreds of years old and sooooo tall. There are very interesting paved trails weaving in and out of the trees. After heading back, we then got off the coach when it stopped at Sausalito. We purchased our lunch at a little deli and then sat by the riverside watching the world go by before catching the ferry back to SF. The views of the Bridge and Alcatraz are wonderful. We then had dinner at Bubba Gump on Pier 39 (very nice).
Our last day came and we spent the morning around the area close to the hotel. We took one last ride on the Hyde cable car just to experience the views of the hills again. We had an early lunch along the Wharf before heading to the airport. Trip report of that journey posted.
We made the best of the California part of our trip but the weather played a major part affecting our plans. However that happens and is out of our control.
Hope you found this an informative read
Firstly I cannot start without saying how much we enjoyed our brief Arizona experience though. Scottsdale was fantastic. We stayed close to Old Town where it was easy to get into that old western town feeling. There are new very modern places around the Fashion Square Mall area and North Scottsdale where enormous resorts have been built over recent years. But the quaint Old Town with old fashioned western style shops and lovely surrounding gardens actually ticked all our boxes y) They even have a singing cowboy sitting on his horse playing a guitar on a Saturday afternoon. A car would have enabled us to travel further into the Senoran Desert and onwards to Sedona. We hope to return to the area next year.
We flew US Airways from PHX into Monterey airport which is a tiny little regional airport. Picked up a car from their car park and drove along the Pacific Grove coastline into Carmel. Sadly the weather was cold and grey – such a contrast to the sunny warm climate of Scottsdale. We stayed at the Best Bestern Carmel View hotel. We was allocated a beautiful, recently renovated, top floor suite with sea views (we think !!) ii) The BW is a nice hotel with a small pool, not needed!!, Wifi & breakfast included. There is a deli right next door to the hotel, where we had our picnic sandwiches made up and my friend purchased her wine fix. Carmel is a quaint little town, easily explored by foot and there are plenty of shop & restaurants. We always drove down to the sea front, as walking up the hills was strenuous. The beach front is very pretty with coastal paved trails in both directions but sadly it was always too cold & windy to venture out very far
On a particular grey miserable day, we drove up to the Gilroy Premium outlet shops and then called into a shopping Mall on the way back. Not very exciting but it was something to do. Shopping in California not vast as it is in Florida.
We forced ourselves to drive the Big Sur as planned. We headed out along Highway 1 into thick cloud, couldn’t even see as we approached the Bixby Bridge as the cloud was sweeping down off of the hills. After this point the weather improved a bit. We stopped numerous times and did a short walk along the trails, getting windblown. We travelled along the pretty twisting highway (only single lane in each direction with horrendous drops!). We eventually found the McWay Falls. Having parked in a pullover bay, we walked down a slope and along to the view of the waterfall which cascades some 70 feet from the sea cliffs into a remote beach below. The views along the coast from here were stunning but shrouded in heavy mist. The sun never shone and the water looked grey.
We drove along another 10 miles before turning back on ourselves. We got some sandwiches from a little village store and then sat in the car and had a picnic. We then stopped at Garrapta State Park and walked down to the beach. Then we drove on and into Point Lobos State Park. Once parked, we walked some of the paved trails to the various coves with wonderful views. Saw the Sea Lions on the rocks below, briefly saw a whale far out in the ocean and walked to the Whales Cove where there was numerous baby seals having just been born. Eventually drove back into Carmel at 7.30pm just before it was dark.
We spent a morning in Monterey but around the popular tourist spots the crowds were enormous. Monterey at midday is when the coach parties drop off for a break. We managed to have a pleasant meal at the Fish Hopper overlooking Monterey Bay before heading back to window shop in Carmel.
On our last day in Carmel, on route to SF, we decided to drive the Famous scenic 17-Mile Drive. The weather by now was sunny – chilly breeze but that sunshine made the pacific look fantastic. The roadway was empty because it was early. We had plenty of time to stop and take in the views. We had a morning coffee at the Spanish Bay Golf Club overlooking the course. Drove on a bit then parked and walked along the beach paths. Some of the overlook areas were closed off as it was the harbour seal pup season.
Finally we stopped for lunch at the Pebble Beach golf club. Now I am not interested in golf but this place was awesome. It amazed me that we was able to walk around so freely. I sent a Whatsapp photo back to my son who replied “no way, you lucky person”. He did get a rather expensive shirt and cap. Our lunch here was not that expensive and was on the outside terrace looking over the 18th tee and the Pacific Ocean.
We had to pull ourselves away from this area and head onto the 101 freeway to San Francisco. The drive was not that bad and once we arrived at SFO, the car hire return depot was well sign posted. We then had to catch the transit shuttle back to a terminal in order to get a taxicab into the city.
We checked into the Marriott on Fisherman’s Wharf. Being a Marriott member, I got a nice upgraded room with a courtyard view. I thought it was be nice to stay near Fisherman's Wharf but we found it very crowded and busy. The weekend arrival probably didn’t help. Luckily the hotel was at the far end, so we could escape the crowds a bit and sit in the gardens opposite the Ghirardelli complex. On Saturday evening we had a really pleasant meal in the Fog Harbor restaurant overlooking the bay.
On the Sunday morning we walked the Golden Gate Bridge and then managed to get a lift back on a tour bus - $10 well spent. Later we ventured up to Union Square via cable car, which broke down on route. Thank god it wasn’t a brake issue! The Square was heaving with people and nothing like I remembered it of 5 years ago. The problem is they are building some sort of underground rail link. The roadworks are horrendous. We stayed at the Taj on Campton Street previously but luckily didn’t choose it this time because the hotel is right slap bang in the middle of road works. I would recommend anyone planning to stay in this Union Square area to check with the hotel about the roadworks. The noise and mess was awful. Lots of the streets are closed off. We did some shopping in the designer stores and then headed back, by trolley bus this time.
On the Monday we caught the bus to the Golden Gate Park. Spent the early part of the morning here walking around the lovely gardens and lakes. Very peaceful. Then we hopped on the bus again for a few blocks and got off to start a long coastal trail walk from the Balboa Park area right around to China beach, some six miles away. Had a lovely lunch at a café overlooking the Ocean and saw a couple of enormous cruise liners coming in. When the trail ended, we walked down to China Beach where you get magnificent views of the GG bridge from a different angle.
On Tuesday we took a tour to the Muir Woods. Initially we had hoped to do Yosemite Park but sadly this did not happen
Apparently it is a long 5hrs coach trip there with about just 3hours in the park and then 5 hours back. The tour operator suggested staying over but we didn’t have the time for that, so chose Muir Woods instead. This was a morning tour driving along pretty countryside to get there. The national park is amazing. Those Redwood trees are hundreds of years old and sooooo tall. There are very interesting paved trails weaving in and out of the trees. After heading back, we then got off the coach when it stopped at Sausalito. We purchased our lunch at a little deli and then sat by the riverside watching the world go by before catching the ferry back to SF. The views of the Bridge and Alcatraz are wonderful. We then had dinner at Bubba Gump on Pier 39 (very nice).Our last day came and we spent the morning around the area close to the hotel. We took one last ride on the Hyde cable car just to experience the views of the hills again. We had an early lunch along the Wharf before heading to the airport. Trip report of that journey posted.
We made the best of the California part of our trip but the weather played a major part affecting our plans. However that happens and is out of our control.
Hope you found this an informative read
