Day 6: Santa Cruz & San Francisco

For the first time since we got to California, we woke up to blue skies and sunshine. There was no fog to burn off or clouds to move off the coast. It was an absolutely gorgeous summer day. I got up at 5:30 and went for a run along the coast of the Monterey Peninsula. It was a lot different than when we ran in San Diego. Here, the coast was very rocky and harsh. As I ran, waves were crashing on the rocks, and a couple times I got a little nervous they were actually going to make it up over the wall.

We were all packed and ready to go by 9am, and the drive to our next destination, Santa Cruz, was just incredible. The sky was so blue and the views were so clear, it made the coast look completely different than anything we had seen yet.

Outside our hotel in Monterey, ready to go!

In our Road Trip USA book, it said that if there was one place we absolutely had to stop on the coast, it was the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Boy were they right. If we had stayed on HWY 1, we would have driven through Santa Cruz without even seeing this. But when we pulled off onto Beach St, it was clear why there was a recommendation to stop. A huge miniature golf course now inhabits an old warehouse that used to be an indoor pool. In the early 1900s, the pool was used for an acrobatics show where divers would swing across the top of the warehouse and then plunge into the pool. Now, the pool has been removed and a pirate themed golf course stands in its place. Outside along the beach is a long carnival like boardwalk with roller coasters, games and vendors. It would be such a cool place to take a family vacation with kids. Mom & dad could set up on the beach and the kids could go play in the boardwalk. It wasn’t very crowded when we were there, either, which was about 11 am.

Absolutely no skateboarding while holding roller skates! None, I tell you!!

From Santa Cruz to San Francisco, the landscape changed several times. There were huge sandy cliffs that showed scars of landslides, but also dense Redwood forests with huge trees and greenery. We also saw a lighthouse along the way and over 15 state beaches. We stopped at one of the beaches, and discovered there was a natural hot spring there flowing right into the Pacific Ocean. It was quite a sight to see the ground steaming like that, and the water felt so good on my feet! It was one of the most serene places I have ever seen.

One false move from one of those rocks and we may not make it!

Cold beach!!

Warm hot spring!

When we got to our hotel in San Francisco, we were pleasantly surprised with both its location and it’s décor. The hotel was built in 1913, and boasts being one of the original small boutique style hotels in San Francisco. The hotel has been renovated recently, and it now reflects an all San Francisco theme. Everywhere you look, there are touches of San Fran, from the wall in the lobby with quotes about the city painted on it, to the surfboard map on the back of our door. Even the hallways are decorated with photographs of San Francisco from the early 20^th century when the hotel was built.  

When we arrived, we were offered complimentary tequila shots to welcome us to the city (Jason took mine, of course!). There was also a complimentary cheese and wine hour in the restaurant from 5:30 to 7, and tomorrow, there is a continental breakfast from 7 to 10am. When the woman at the front desk saw that we were on our honeymoon, she immediately upgraded us to a larger King Deluxe room on the top floor of the hotel looking west. As I explored the hotel later on, I discovered the door to the roof was open and was able to get some really great pictures from up there. Right now, I am sitting at a 100 year old desk looking out over the city lights. It’s as if this room was made for a blogger like me.

This entire wall is covered in quotes about San Francisco from books, poems and song lyrics.

Jason taking BOTH welcome tequila shots. 

Stair access to the roof.

Stair access to the lobby!

A 100 year old elevator!

The door on the right goes to the elevator! You just open it and hop on. Kind of scary!

He might be making fun of me for taking blog pictures right now. LOL

There are quotes about San Francisco circling the ceiling of our room. This one reads, "San Francisco: Hallowe'en is redundant." - Will Durst

My perfect place for blogging!

 

We made our way around to all the San Francisco tourist sights today. Our hotel is only 1 and a half blocks from Union Square where all the great shopping is, and we are four blocks from the Powell-Hyde cable car turnaround. We took a cab to Pier 39, had dinner at Boudin’s (yum! Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl!), walked up fisherman’s wharf and ended at Ghiradelli Square with a cup of coffee and some ice cream. From there, we took the cable car back to Union Square and decided to call it a night.

The view from our hotel room

Union Square and my favorite Macy's on the right. 

Union Square

Union Square (the big tent is an event set up for the golf tournament)

The Hearst building

Boudin's!

Alcatraz

 A video of them turning the trolley car. It was getting REALLY cold at this point.

Tomorrow is Saturday, and we are headed to Mendocino for a night in a stargazing cabin equipped with star maps and telescopes. Before we go, though, we’re going to hit up Chinatown to make sure we covered every last tourist spot one can possibly fit in during a 24 hour stay in San Francisco.