Monterey Bay, Giants Game, San Francisco and Point Reyes

We decided a long weekend getaway was just what we needed. We met up with the Lyons for a day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We hadn't been since our kids were young-uns. It was lovely. The next morning we went for a whale watch cruise, then parted company with the Lyons and headed to San Francisco. We've been many times, but this time we thought we'd take the tourist approach and we signed up for an couple of "walking tours." The first was an Architectural Tour of the financial district in SF. We learned tons of stuff about SF and enjoyed learning about its unique architecture. Although the city was founded in 1840's, all the buildings date from 1906 due to earthquake and 3 days of fire. We then took a Chinatown walking tour. It was so interesting. We learned lots about SF history and the blending of Chinese culture. We went to a fortune cookie factory, modern tea bar, Taoist temple and a herbalist shop. We spent our nights in Novato, and took the ferry into the city for tours and Giants game. Our last day was spent out at Marin Headlands and Point Reyes National Seashore. There was too much to see in a day, but we did our best. It's fascinating that such rugged country is so close to such a fascinating big city. SF is a blend of contrasts.

Life is like a box of chocolates at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.



Petting bat-rays at the aquarium.




This is a 10 story, 20ft wide 1910 belt, suspender and tie factory wedged between 2 highrise buildings. Owner had a sense of humor. It's now vacant with a tacky Sushi Bar on the bottom floor.


I like this photo cuz it represents the past and future of SF. The glass building is the Crown-Zellerbach building ca 1950's representing new style of glass and steel, while the building reflected in the glass is the 1929 Shell building ending the era of classical stone and pillar construction. It was completed just before stock market crash and there was no new construction in SF until late 1950's due to crash, and wars.


On our tour of Chinatown, I found this herbalist shop very interesting. For $8.00 a board certified MD will diagnose your maladies, then for another fee the herbalist will customized an herbal concoction to cure your ills.



Us at the Giants game. We enjoyed watching Buster Posey's debut. He did great!


309 steps down to the Point Reyes Lighthouse . . . then back up!


Us overlooking Point Reyes National Seashore. It was breathtaking and is always windy.


Saw this herd of California Happy Cows. They live on prime real estate on Point Reyes, overlooking the Pacific Ocean!


I'll end with this photo and let the words speak for themselves. Contemplating sending to Jay Leno.