Surf and Sandcastles: 2017-09-17

Ever since I can remember I have always romanticized California, from my 90210 days to reading
Jackie Collins when I was younger (I just totally outed myself, don't judge!). I have always been fascinated with the whole culture and couldn't wait to get here.

Driving southern Oregon (Coos County) to the Californian border was really the most beautiful drive this whole trip. I know I keep saying this, but honestly, we must have stopped a dozen times it literally took my breath away! From beautiful vistas, to rolling sand dunes, grey whales, seals, hidden beaches, steep cliffs. I was in ❤️

Cape Sebastian State Park

We started our California leg in Cresent city, Johnny's sister Judy told us Jedidiah Smith State Park was her favourite out of all the Redwoods so we took her word for it and found a place close by, to stay and explore for 2 days. This place was crazy, the trees were so large they seemed fake,the girls and I felt like we were little fairies in a fairy forest...it was that surreal. This has been Johnny's favourite so far. More redwoods over the next few days, we drove through the Avenue of Giants, and the Redwood National Park. eventually we made our way to San Francisco.

Anneka is that little white blur at the bottom

"Fairy forest"

Love that the girls aren't afraid of critters

... San Francisco! We decided to stay for 4 days so we could really enjoy the city. Johnny reconnected with old friends that he knew from Clinton who have moved here many years ago. They invited us for dinner (yay-other grown ups!), and gave us some great ideas on where to go in the city.
After a fabulous evening spent with great company, delicious food, and amazing wine....we had an awesome time exploring the city. Much to Johnny's chagrin, we did a Double Decker Tour of the city learning about all the different neighbourhoods and checking out the famous sights. The next day we did our own tour, going to the places we did not see as well as revisiting spots we weren't able to explore. The Golden Gate Park, is San Francisco's version of Central Park...very beautiful, with lots of nooks and crannies to explore. After visiting the Japanese tea Garden and then the kids park (which was incredible!), we left and continued to explore. The kids favourite show is full house, both the old and the new...so they were very excited to visit the real "Full House" and see Almo Park and "Painted Ladies"...After lunch at the famous "Saigon Sandwich"we then went to the Palace of Fine Arts (it's at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge in the Marina district). Johnny and I both felt like this was the prettiest spot we saw in the city. At this point, kids were a little bored (oh the horror!). The difference when you travel with kids, they really can't handle touring around a city for two days looking at "boring stuff" we try to incorporate a park, or beach everywhere we go...and up to this point I am actually amazed at how little they have complained... we eventually came home and watched the Goonies (a new fave).

Bye for now San Fransisco, you are an amazing city!