To be fair, when you see so many sea lions basking in the sun, it's not surprising people come to see them.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Pier 39
Sea Lions are the main attraction of Pier 39 in San Francisco. For some reason (nobody knows really why but there are several hypothesis), sea lions gather on the docks of Pier 39 since the latest 1980s. Obviously this has become a key attraction in the bay.
To be fair, when you see so many sea lions basking in the sun, it's not surprising people come to see them.
Alone or in group, sea lions rest in the sun, right there on the docks next to the boats.
Piece of advise: don't wake up a sea lion in the middle of his nap. He might be in a bad mood and show teeth.
To be fair, when you see so many sea lions basking in the sun, it's not surprising people come to see them.
Did we miss something?
In this modern world where a lot of people have an iPhone (including us) and there are Apps for about everything, the one thing we didn't think of was to download the different Apps available for each of our locations.
All the info we needed was there, only one finger touch away. Something to keep in mind for the next vacations.
Walking the streets of San Francisco
After an amazing Sunday morning brunch (but early... we're not used to brunch at 8:30am) we left San Jose for San Francisco.
We drove to Treasure Island where you can have a view on San Francisco skyline. Unfortunately weather was very hazy and the view was limited : seems that fog is following us.
Foggy San Francisco skyline
Foggy Bay Bridge
We then crossed back the bay and headed toward Lombard street, San Francisco's crookedest street. The street is very steep and by having this peculiar switchback design of the street reduces the slope to 16% (instead of 26%). In 1922 they were already very concerned on getting cars and trucks safely up and down the hilly streets of San Francisco.
Given the slope of the street and the number of tourists driving it, it's almost mission impossible to get a good shot. Still, I tried my best. By the way a special Police Task Force has been created to handle the traffic created by the street and the many tourists.
Of course we drove it down but given the number of people doing the same and the 5km/h speed, the experience is not as crazy as one could expect. I guess when the police is chasing you and you try to escape, it's a whole different story (you know, like in the movies).
From Lombart street we walked down to the pier, the Fisherman's wharf. Alternatively we could have taken one of the old cable cars riding Powell and Hyde streets. Too touristic for us, I fear.
And I didn't want to miss the chance to walk up and down the hilly streets of San Francisco (they are very steep, trust me on this one).
And when you drive them it's even funnier as you really get a rollercoaster feeling (of course in slow motion).
Ready, goooooooo!
Once we reached the sea level, we visited the Hyde street pier and its collection of old boats (believe it or not, it's actually a historical national park).
Just a bunch of boats, nothing more I have to say...
We drove to Treasure Island where you can have a view on San Francisco skyline. Unfortunately weather was very hazy and the view was limited : seems that fog is following us.
Foggy San Francisco skyline
Given the slope of the street and the number of tourists driving it, it's almost mission impossible to get a good shot. Still, I tried my best. By the way a special Police Task Force has been created to handle the traffic created by the street and the many tourists.
From Lombart street we walked down to the pier, the Fisherman's wharf. Alternatively we could have taken one of the old cable cars riding Powell and Hyde streets. Too touristic for us, I fear.
Ready, goooooooo!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Driving Highway 1 - 2
After a huge breakfast at Margie's diner we left San Luis Obispo for San Jose on the highway 1.
Supposedly the coast between San Simeon and Carmel is breath taking.
San Simeon is famous for 2 things: the Hearst Castle and its beach where elephant seals bask in the sun.
We skipped the castle for 3 reasons:
1) Hearst Castle is the most visited place in California after Disneyland during the summer
2) the castle is a pastiche of historic architectural styles that its owner admired in his travels around Europe (and when you come from Europe that's a scary thought)
3) There was already some fog on the hills and therefore the view from up there would be very limited (i.e. not worth the entrance ticket).
We did not skip the elephant seals. Once you arrive by the beach you can see them already in the distance. A complete herd of elephant seals, sleeping on the beach.
When you get closer you can see that they are indeed nicely sleeping in the sun (lucky animals).
A few of them would go for a swim...
... but the majority lies down and enjoys the sun.
So cute you could want to take one home with you, but the volunteers from Friends of the Elephant Seals around would not let you. They would also advise you to come back around Valentine's day. Apparently in February elephant seals are very active (maybe something to do with mating season).
Unfortunately for us the sea fog became worse and worse as we were driving north and we could not see anything of the coast line.
Whenever we were going up-hill we could get over the fog and see a bit of the sun. Sadly, the sea was still under the fog, nowhere to be found.
Every now and then the fog would vanish a bit and we could see the water down there.
I have to admit this coast line has potential to be great, especially under bright sun, it's just a pity I didn't get to see it. I guess I'll have to come back another time.
Supposedly the coast between San Simeon and Carmel is breath taking.
San Simeon is famous for 2 things: the Hearst Castle and its beach where elephant seals bask in the sun.
We skipped the castle for 3 reasons:
1) Hearst Castle is the most visited place in California after Disneyland during the summer
2) the castle is a pastiche of historic architectural styles that its owner admired in his travels around Europe (and when you come from Europe that's a scary thought)
3) There was already some fog on the hills and therefore the view from up there would be very limited (i.e. not worth the entrance ticket).
We did not skip the elephant seals. Once you arrive by the beach you can see them already in the distance. A complete herd of elephant seals, sleeping on the beach.
Unfortunately for us the sea fog became worse and worse as we were driving north and we could not see anything of the coast line.
Every now and then the fog would vanish a bit and we could see the water down there.
Applebee's
Applesbee's is a chain of restaurant in the US. They serve the typical "American" menu: burgers, sandwiches, salads, steaks, quesadillas, etc.
I used to go to Applebee's when I was in the US many years back to have their chicken quesadilla, that's one of these starters that are big enough for a full meal.
This year my mindset was a bit different. Combination of diet and clearly no use of giant portion lead me to discard the quesadilla. Applebee's kindly provide on each table a booklet with the calories of each dish. The beloved quesadilla represent 1440 calories (and that's only a starter), i.e. 80% of what I should eat per day. Facing this number deprived the quesadilla from its appeal.
Having the table of calories at hand helps a lot when it comes to ordering and limiting the damage. Sadly a lot of the food there has a high amount of calories (even a salad can have 800 calories!). I don't want to imagine if you have a starter, a main course and a desert. In one meal you can eat 3 to 4000 calories!!!!
On top of the booklet, Applebee's offers a selection of dishes of 550 calories max. We loved that selection not only for the low(er) calories but also because the portion were just right. 7oz steak is enough and with vegetable and 1 baked potato, you simply don't need more.
Conclusion I still love Applebee's, but for very different reasons now vs. before. What can I say, we evolve over time ;)
I used to go to Applebee's when I was in the US many years back to have their chicken quesadilla, that's one of these starters that are big enough for a full meal.
This year my mindset was a bit different. Combination of diet and clearly no use of giant portion lead me to discard the quesadilla. Applebee's kindly provide on each table a booklet with the calories of each dish. The beloved quesadilla represent 1440 calories (and that's only a starter), i.e. 80% of what I should eat per day. Facing this number deprived the quesadilla from its appeal.
Having the table of calories at hand helps a lot when it comes to ordering and limiting the damage. Sadly a lot of the food there has a high amount of calories (even a salad can have 800 calories!). I don't want to imagine if you have a starter, a main course and a desert. In one meal you can eat 3 to 4000 calories!!!!
On top of the booklet, Applebee's offers a selection of dishes of 550 calories max. We loved that selection not only for the low(er) calories but also because the portion were just right. 7oz steak is enough and with vegetable and 1 baked potato, you simply don't need more.
Conclusion I still love Applebee's, but for very different reasons now vs. before. What can I say, we evolve over time ;)
Friday, September 3, 2010
Driving Highway 1 - 1
After a very nice stay with my cousins, it was time for us to take off for a trip on the highway 1, THE highway that runs along the Californian coast. According to many, Hwy 1 between Carmel and San Simeon is one of the mots beautiful roads in the US. Promising!
Given it was Labor Day week-end, both Janet and Evan told us to book first a motel as the likelihood we would not find any place was high. And they were right. It took us 1 hour of joint search on Internet before we found a Motel 6 with vacancy and at a decent price. All the places on the coast were full and the few available had rates at 200$ a night...
Having secured accommodation we packed and drove to Berolina Bakery for breakfast. Apparently at some point they must have been German (on their website they claim it's owned by a European couple. Yes, but what nationality?). Pastries were good, better than in most places in the US, but still far away from Europe. Any way you don't go to the US to eat the perfect croissant, do you?
Traffic when leaving LA was pretty bad (can't imagine what it would be later that day when everybody is leaving for their long week-end). For the first time I have to admit I enjoyed the traffic as it meant be active behind the wheel. No cruise control!!!!
A few hours later we arrive at the Motel 6 in San Luis obispo where we dropped luggage and drove to Pismo Beach. My first stop on the Californian coast.
Pismo Beach reminded me of so many movies at the beach side in the US. There is a beach (obviously), a pier on which people walk, the life-guard cabin (yep, like in Baywatch) and surfers. Almost like a post card.
After a late lunch with view on the Pacific, we walked the pier.
Looking at the landscape
PS: find the un-invited bird on this photo
Watching the birds playing
Getting one bad picture of us after the other (why are we always in the shade...):
Later on we walked along the beach and put our feet into the water. Brrr that water is cold, colder than in Brittany. I could not believe that the Pacific would be so cold.
On the way back we were fortunate to see pelicans on top of the seagulls earlier.
Later, towards sunset, we tried to find a spot to watch it over the sea. But the fog had pretty much invaded the whole area, and after 1 hour driving up and down the coast, we stopped at Avila Beach. But too late, the tiny mini bit of sunset we could have seen was already behind the hills :(
Sun being down, temperature dropped significantly as well. Sunny California is not as warm as one could imagine.
Some cold tourist: "It's so cold. I wish my shorts had legs"
Note: some surfers are not as young as one could imagine :)
Given it was Labor Day week-end, both Janet and Evan told us to book first a motel as the likelihood we would not find any place was high. And they were right. It took us 1 hour of joint search on Internet before we found a Motel 6 with vacancy and at a decent price. All the places on the coast were full and the few available had rates at 200$ a night...
Having secured accommodation we packed and drove to Berolina Bakery for breakfast. Apparently at some point they must have been German (on their website they claim it's owned by a European couple. Yes, but what nationality?). Pastries were good, better than in most places in the US, but still far away from Europe. Any way you don't go to the US to eat the perfect croissant, do you?
Traffic when leaving LA was pretty bad (can't imagine what it would be later that day when everybody is leaving for their long week-end). For the first time I have to admit I enjoyed the traffic as it meant be active behind the wheel. No cruise control!!!!
A few hours later we arrive at the Motel 6 in San Luis obispo where we dropped luggage and drove to Pismo Beach. My first stop on the Californian coast.
Pismo Beach reminded me of so many movies at the beach side in the US. There is a beach (obviously), a pier on which people walk, the life-guard cabin (yep, like in Baywatch) and surfers. Almost like a post card.
PS: find the un-invited bird on this photo
Observing the sea fog coming up (just imagine a huge cloud of fog coming from the sea towards land).
On the way back we were fortunate to see pelicans on top of the seagulls earlier.
Later, towards sunset, we tried to find a spot to watch it over the sea. But the fog had pretty much invaded the whole area, and after 1 hour driving up and down the coast, we stopped at Avila Beach. But too late, the tiny mini bit of sunset we could have seen was already behind the hills :(
Sun being down, temperature dropped significantly as well. Sunny California is not as warm as one could imagine.
Some cold tourist: "It's so cold. I wish my shorts had legs"
Note: some surfers are not as young as one could imagine :)
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Diners
When you are on the road like us and are hungry, a diner is very often one of your options. They serve burgers of course, but also all possible sandwiches and salads, not to mention traditional US breakfast at a pretty decent price. Portions are usually large to huge.
I have to say I like those places as we usually eat pretty well in an atmosphere that reminds me of the 50s/60s. I do know that I was not born then but many movies portray diners and I sort of like it. I'm almost expecting to see the heroes of Happy Days or Grease entering the diner :)
Mel's Drive-In in Hollywood
And the fruit bowl at Margie's diner in San Luis Obispo. As we were planning to share the fruits, we thought a bowl would be better than a cup...
I let you imagine the size of the omelette Wolfram ordered (giant portion guaranteed!).
I have to say I like those places as we usually eat pretty well in an atmosphere that reminds me of the 50s/60s. I do know that I was not born then but many movies portray diners and I sort of like it. I'm almost expecting to see the heroes of Happy Days or Grease entering the diner :)
Mel's Drive-In in Hollywood
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