California Coast Pt 1

I left Yosemite on a beautiful sunny day. The forecast the day before called for rain but I was glad to be saying goodbye to this gorgeous place with clear skies. I felt a nostalgic feeling as I drove away from my campsite and through the campground. I felt as I did when I was a child leaving a campground at the end of a summer camping trip. Not ready to say goodbye and missing it before I’ve had the chance to leave it. I said my goodbyes and thank yous to my lovely little spot under the pines and took in my last sights of this forever familiar place. I drove the valley loop one more time before catching the road that leads to the highway. The road that lead to leaving was just as beautiful as everywhere else, with big rolling meadows and green-covered redrock dirt hills. One portion was steep and winding and items in my van slid across the floor with the tight turns. Eventually, the road leveled, and into central California I went.

Today was a responsibility day. Those usually include a shower, laundry (my clothes dried better this time, only a few items needed to be left out to finish drying) a trip to the library to catch up on my blog, grocery shopping, etc. And I usually end up sleeping at a Walmart. I did end up at a Walmart, with fingers crossed all night long that I wouldn’t hear a knocking on my window.

No one came knocking in the night, which I was very glad about. I left the area and headed toward San Francisco. Around Tracy and Livermore, Ca the view changed from green hills to golden. If land ever looked like the ocean it was here in Central California. The golden grassy tidal waves beamed and posed as I drove through them. As if a painter had applied spring green paints to a late summer prairie; the hills were highlighted with the promise of new life.

As I made my way closer to San Francisco, vineyards became sparse, the greens darkened, and the hills sharpened along the edges. Long bridges and algae booming water took over my view and nose. Houses stacked together like a book hoarder's bookshelf, all their own shade of the same color, until one on the block decided to stand out.

My first impression was to not like San Francisco. It was a big city, which defaults it for me either way, parking seemed impossible, and people. So many people! But it grew on me. The big city had so much to see and had this quaint feel about it, parking seemed impossible until I found a spot where ever I needed one, and people were enjoying a lovely day out in their city.

While it was growing on me, I don’t think Darlene liked it too much. She handled it like a champ but she roared up the big hills, especially ones with stop signs at the top. I would punch the gas so I wouldn’t go rolling into the car behind me and stop quick for the car in front until I would finally reach the top. I felt like Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries. Mia with an old, blue Mustang, and me with my old, white Chevy, encouraging with every incline.

My first stop was the Full House house. It looked more slender than I thought it would be but it was fun to see a childhood favorite come to life. I then saw the Mrs. Doubtfire house, which was set on a hill with an amazing view down towards a marina, just as it had in the movie. I got a chance to tell the owner that her house was awesome as she was returning home. I then went to Fisherman’s Wharf and walked the boardwalk area. I saw the SS Jeremiah O’Brien, a far-off Alcatraz, and the busy Pier 39. I always forget how many people are in the world until I go to a tourist attraction like that. So many people. I then drove down Lombard St, a very winding road. It was a cute cobblestone block with teeny tiny driveways. I wondered what it would be like to actually live on that street with people taking photos of your house all the time.

After, I drove over to an overlook to see the Golden Gate Bridge. The coastline was really beautiful and Marin Headlands was a gorgeous backdrop for this famous bridge. I then drove over the bridge and realized how giant it was and how fun it was to get that little experience. Next was the overlooks on the north side of the bridge where everyone gets their photos taken in front of it. After the city excitement, I was ready to drive a little portion of Route 1 and find a place to park for the night. This introduction to Route 1 was full of twists and turns and was absolutely stunning. I was catching it right before sunset. I stopped at the Muir Beach overlook and took a moment to appreciate the coast. My parking spot for the night was a pull-off on a semi-busy road that overlooked the Stinson Beach area. I ate dinner as the sun dipped down and enjoyed a California beer I picked up when gassing up early in the day.

Starting this section of my trip in San Francisco and the coast felt like a turning point in my trip. There were no longer going to be any dessert portions or Sierra Nevadas, it was mostly going to be beaches, coastal towns, and ocean views until northern Washington. I’m looking forward to it, but also acknowledging the time passing. I’ve loved what I’ve been able to accomplish and experience until this point, and look forward to what is to come for me.