Started out with breakfast at the hotel (hmmm) and then headed out in the car into LA (had to take the car out as we were moving hotels). Drove to Hollywood Blvd via Beverly Hills (to see how the other half live) and the Sunset Strip and then went exploring. They were setting up the red carpet for the G-Force Premier. Then we went to see Grauman's Chinese Theatre which is beautiful. The walk of the stars is looooong! Found John Singleton so have a photo of that star. Also found a Penny Singleton.
We then went to the Hollywood Museum: Lots of great stuff but the quality of the displays wasn't that great (they could learn something from the Seattle Sci-Fi museum) but it was all very interesting. The problem was that some of the displays weren't labeled and some were labeled wrong.
Oh, also got chatted up by the guy on the door as we were leaving. Nice but no.
We then headed up to the Griffith Observatory. Busy so a long-ish walk from the car (feet nearly melted). Shortly after we got in they were demonstrating the Tesler machine (very cool) then we had a wander round the ground floor displays and made our way down to the cafe to get some lunch.
Random Moment: had a text from Katy asking what I was up to so texted back where we were... then had a call from Katy saying they were just walking into the Observatory! So, had a chance to catch up with Katy which was cool!
Then it was back to the coast (beautifully cool breeze coming off the ocean) but to Santa Monica rather than Venice and the Sea Shore Motel. We then headed out to Santa Monica Beach and walked up to the Pier.
We passed by the original location of 'Muscle Beach' which how has a load of gymnastics equipment (parallel bars, rings, etc) and we stopped and watched some very fit guys 'do their stuff' on the beach and then made our way to the Pier.
Lots of tat on the pier but lots of bustle and atmosphere with beautiful views as the sun was setting and the Pier itself was beautiful after the sun went down, all the lights of the funfair and the ferris wheel all pretty and lovely.
I'd rather have stayed the two nights in Santa Monica but hay, you live and learn!
Sunday, 19 July 2009
Saturday, 18 July 2009
18th July - San Francisco to LA
A Day of Driving.
Another long drive down to LA, stopping at Pismo Beach for lunch.
The scenery we've been driving through is amazing. We had mountain ranges on both sides of the road (so BIG!!); on the west side they had a greenish hue and on the east side of the highway they looked like sand dunes. Beautiful all the same.
Pismo Beach was beautiful - we came upon a local 'market' thing on a coastal park with pelicans flying in to roost on a rock just off the coastline (lots of pics). I picked up a lovely curry & rice from the market... beautiful.
We got to Malibu and hit traffic. Long and hot drive into LA!
We got to Marina Del Rey and the Marina Del Rey hotel in time to chill for a bit (recovering from the drive) and then head out for dinner. Marina Del Rey is a bit like Ocean Village or Town Quay (although bigger) - water and lots of boats and some tacky restaurants. Finally found a decent pizza place where I got a salad...had got to the point where I'd begun craving greens!
Another long drive down to LA, stopping at Pismo Beach for lunch.
The scenery we've been driving through is amazing. We had mountain ranges on both sides of the road (so BIG!!); on the west side they had a greenish hue and on the east side of the highway they looked like sand dunes. Beautiful all the same.
Pismo Beach was beautiful - we came upon a local 'market' thing on a coastal park with pelicans flying in to roost on a rock just off the coastline (lots of pics). I picked up a lovely curry & rice from the market... beautiful.
We got to Malibu and hit traffic. Long and hot drive into LA!
We got to Marina Del Rey and the Marina Del Rey hotel in time to chill for a bit (recovering from the drive) and then head out for dinner. Marina Del Rey is a bit like Ocean Village or Town Quay (although bigger) - water and lots of boats and some tacky restaurants. Finally found a decent pizza place where I got a salad...had got to the point where I'd begun craving greens!
Friday, 17 July 2009
17th July - San Francisco
Lack of internet and then the madness of ComicCon has seen a hiatus in updates...but here they begin again! Photos will follow (have a lot to sort through!).
Our last day in San Francisco started early with a Cable Car ride to Fishermans wharf (on the Powell Mason line if you want to know!). I managed to get a standing spot at the front which was fantastic. A little bit scary when there was a coach reversing into a roadside parking space that was a bit close... but breathtaking all the same and much better than walking up and down those hills!. When we got to Fisherman's Wharf we wondered to Pier 39 where I grabbed a coffee and something for breakfast then we wandered down to see the Sea Lions and we stopped to take some pics and watch for a while. They are beautiful, fascinating animals.
Then we wondered down to the Aquarium. Not a patch on Vancouver. Some lovely displays - the fish "tunnel" is charming - plus the opportunity to touch a Bat Ray, Skate and Leopard Shark but the information on the displays were not as good, very basic and very much aimed at kids. The Vancouver displays were informative, accessible but pitched to all levels; they also had a great interactive section. But, that said, it was a good time.
After the Aquarium we went on a Duck tour of San Fran which was great - lots of local info and a good laugh to boot.
On our way from the Ducks to the boat to Alcatraz, we stopped back at Pier 39, at the Fog Harbor restaurant, for lunch. I had a beautiful, beautiful, utterly delicious scallop risotto (sorry Jan!!). Then it was off to Pier 33 for our 3.20 boat out to Alcatraz.
An experience and a half. It's such a bleak place, you can't begin to imagine what the conditions would have been like for the inmates over 'bad' and 'cold'. It's a really great tour though - although I'd recommend the first boat of the day if you can... It would have been great to have more time to investigate the rest of the island rather than just the prison block.
Whilst we were on the island the fog started to roll in and things got a bit cooler!
Caught another cable car back, picked up some Burger King on the way back to the hotel and then crashed out! Long day and lots of walking!
Our last day in San Francisco started early with a Cable Car ride to Fishermans wharf (on the Powell Mason line if you want to know!). I managed to get a standing spot at the front which was fantastic. A little bit scary when there was a coach reversing into a roadside parking space that was a bit close... but breathtaking all the same and much better than walking up and down those hills!. When we got to Fisherman's Wharf we wondered to Pier 39 where I grabbed a coffee and something for breakfast then we wandered down to see the Sea Lions and we stopped to take some pics and watch for a while. They are beautiful, fascinating animals.
Then we wondered down to the Aquarium. Not a patch on Vancouver. Some lovely displays - the fish "tunnel" is charming - plus the opportunity to touch a Bat Ray, Skate and Leopard Shark but the information on the displays were not as good, very basic and very much aimed at kids. The Vancouver displays were informative, accessible but pitched to all levels; they also had a great interactive section. But, that said, it was a good time.
After the Aquarium we went on a Duck tour of San Fran which was great - lots of local info and a good laugh to boot.
On our way from the Ducks to the boat to Alcatraz, we stopped back at Pier 39, at the Fog Harbor restaurant, for lunch. I had a beautiful, beautiful, utterly delicious scallop risotto (sorry Jan!!). Then it was off to Pier 33 for our 3.20 boat out to Alcatraz.
An experience and a half. It's such a bleak place, you can't begin to imagine what the conditions would have been like for the inmates over 'bad' and 'cold'. It's a really great tour though - although I'd recommend the first boat of the day if you can... It would have been great to have more time to investigate the rest of the island rather than just the prison block.
Whilst we were on the island the fog started to roll in and things got a bit cooler!
Caught another cable car back, picked up some Burger King on the way back to the hotel and then crashed out! Long day and lots of walking!
16th July - San Francisco
Today was a day of walking.
Scratch that... today was a day of HILLS!! Surprising as we're in San Francisco!!
Started out with a leisurely start and then wandered down to SoMa (South of Market Street) to the Cartoon Art Museum. A fascinating place. The current exhibitions were of the Art of Sleeping Beauty and Watchmen - a fascinating insight into the processes behind comic/animated feature creation. Also, fantastic to see some of the original art work from Sleeping Beauty.
We then headed into the Financial District to see the Transamerica building (better seen from a distance, it's a great architectural design but doesn't look all that pretty up close... lots of concrete) and then went up a big hill to visit the Cable Car Museum where you can see the actual workings of the cables and read about the history of the lines and cars, including how the cable car system was nearly permanently lost and replaced with diesel busses. The lines that remain were saved by the lobbying of a community campaign group set up to save the cable cars. Interesting stuff.
I picked up a lovely cable car charm for my charm bracelet.
We then carried on up the big hill (Russian Hill, through the neighborhood of Nob Hill) to Lafayette Park where we saw a flock of parrots (too high up in the trees to photograph) and hummingbirds. Yes, Hummingbirds!! I did manage to get a photo, will have to do some editing to make it a bit more visible! They are fantastic birds, this one was a beautiful green. They move so quickly. Definitely an experience of a lifetime.
After Lafayette Park we headed south to Alamo Square to see the Painted Ladies (painted housed looking like doll house fronts) and then headed back to the hotel past the Opera house.
I'm currently allowing my legs to recover from the hike around the city and might head out to see Harry Potter a bit later.
Tomorrow is a day for investigating the Fisherman's wharf and a trip to Alcatraz!
Photos
Scratch that... today was a day of HILLS!! Surprising as we're in San Francisco!!
Started out with a leisurely start and then wandered down to SoMa (South of Market Street) to the Cartoon Art Museum. A fascinating place. The current exhibitions were of the Art of Sleeping Beauty and Watchmen - a fascinating insight into the processes behind comic/animated feature creation. Also, fantastic to see some of the original art work from Sleeping Beauty.
We then headed into the Financial District to see the Transamerica building (better seen from a distance, it's a great architectural design but doesn't look all that pretty up close... lots of concrete) and then went up a big hill to visit the Cable Car Museum where you can see the actual workings of the cables and read about the history of the lines and cars, including how the cable car system was nearly permanently lost and replaced with diesel busses. The lines that remain were saved by the lobbying of a community campaign group set up to save the cable cars. Interesting stuff.
I picked up a lovely cable car charm for my charm bracelet.
We then carried on up the big hill (Russian Hill, through the neighborhood of Nob Hill) to Lafayette Park where we saw a flock of parrots (too high up in the trees to photograph) and hummingbirds. Yes, Hummingbirds!! I did manage to get a photo, will have to do some editing to make it a bit more visible! They are fantastic birds, this one was a beautiful green. They move so quickly. Definitely an experience of a lifetime.
After Lafayette Park we headed south to Alamo Square to see the Painted Ladies (painted housed looking like doll house fronts) and then headed back to the hotel past the Opera house.
I'm currently allowing my legs to recover from the hike around the city and might head out to see Harry Potter a bit later.
Tomorrow is a day for investigating the Fisherman's wharf and a trip to Alcatraz!
Photos
15th July - Napa to San Francisco
Wednesday was a short drive from Napa to San Francisco in beautiful sunshine with the top down, ideal weather for the car. That was until we were approaching San Fran and saw a large bank of Fog in our future (apparently a 'thin' fog bank at only 800ft), that was rather chilly and somewhat hindered the views from Point Bonita Lighthouse in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, although we did get to see some Harbour Seals at rest and some Turkey vultures. We then drove down the hill and went for a walk, looking rather sexy in shorts and hoodies! Next stop was Vista Point (not much to see cause of the fog).
We drove into the Golden Gate Park (parking was a nightmare) and wandered around killing time until we could check into the hotel. It's a lovely park but the enjoyment is somewhat lessened because of the sheer volume of traffic. If you're visiting San Francisco go to Golden Gate Park on a Sunday when there is no traffic allowed in the Park.
We then headed to the hotel and went for dinner. I had THE most amazing banana milkshake at a place called Lori's diner; the place to go if you want an Iconic American Diner experience, looks like something out of a film. fab.
Photos
We drove into the Golden Gate Park (parking was a nightmare) and wandered around killing time until we could check into the hotel. It's a lovely park but the enjoyment is somewhat lessened because of the sheer volume of traffic. If you're visiting San Francisco go to Golden Gate Park on a Sunday when there is no traffic allowed in the Park.
We then headed to the hotel and went for dinner. I had THE most amazing banana milkshake at a place called Lori's diner; the place to go if you want an Iconic American Diner experience, looks like something out of a film. fab.
Photos
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
14th July - Clearlake to Napa
Today was a fairly simple day. Clearlake to Napa. However, we took a couple of detours which weren't so 'straight' forward.
View Larger Map
The views were fantastic but there were some steep hills and bendy, windy roads!
We got to Napa around 2.30 and we checked into the room (wine valley lodge), watched Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer to recover from the drive and the heat before heading out to dinner (Downtown Joe's) which was lovely. We wandered back to the hotel and then went for a swim, read my book for a while until the sun hit the trees.
Tomorrow we have a short drive to San Francisco when we'll do some shopping before checking into the hotel, having some dinner and then watching the season 2 premier of Leverage!
View Larger Map
The views were fantastic but there were some steep hills and bendy, windy roads!
We got to Napa around 2.30 and we checked into the room (wine valley lodge), watched Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer to recover from the drive and the heat before heading out to dinner (Downtown Joe's) which was lovely. We wandered back to the hotel and then went for a swim, read my book for a while until the sun hit the trees.
Tomorrow we have a short drive to San Francisco when we'll do some shopping before checking into the hotel, having some dinner and then watching the season 2 premier of Leverage!
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