Carmel and San Francisco

Our adorable 12-year-old grandson Jacob came to visit Dick and me for two weeks, thanks to his parents for letting us have him, and thanks to his older brothers for letting us take him. This has been his 8th time in LA, so we have done most of the amusement parks and children venues from here down to San Diego.

So we did a Dodger vs. Yankees baseball game and saw the Broadway rendition of South Pacific at the Ahmanson... and then we packed the car and headed up north.

The first stop on our sojourn was the Hearst Castle. We took the introduction tour which included both swimming pools, a guest cottage and the gardens. It is an amazing place, and now is managed by the Park System of California. Mr. Hearst owned 30 properties around the world and this is one of the ones he gave up. I can only imagine the others that the public will never be able to see. They must be mind-blowing!!!

After our tour, we headed for Carmel-by-the-Sea....which as you know, if you have read any of my earlier entries on my blog, is one of our favorite places to visit. We travelled along CA HW1 which is the most scenic road imaginable; however, if you are faint of heart or have a tendency to get car sick, the 101 might be a better choice. We wanted Jacob to experience this magnificent stretch of road...but it is almost 80 miles of curves thru the mountains with a steep drop to the ocean. What a way to enter Carmel-by-the-Sea.

If you don't have time to visit the Cotswolds, this charming village is as close as you will get in the US. Since we didn't have Dolly, (our bearded collie) we were able to stay at the Dolphin Inn....a lovely b&b that had a pool (and no dogs) . Jacob swam one afternoon...and he became a member of the "Polar Bear Club"....as the temperature must have been about 50 degrees!!!'

We showed Jacob all around the town walking for at least two hours...just meandering up and down the streets of the town. Then we had dinner at a lovely place...Bistro Giovanni...which was perfect for all of us. After gorging ourselves on spectacular Italian food...we walked a bit longer..hoping to work off some calories to make room for an ice cream and latte. After that, we went back to the hotel and collapsed into bed.

The next morning we got up early and headed into Monterey to get to the Aquarium right when it opened. They have a new exhibit of flamingoes and seahorses and it was amazing! Jacob has been to Aquariums in Los Angeles, Washington and Boston...and he rated this one right up there. The collection of jellies is not to be believed...along with the anemones.

I personally love the penguins....but what can I tell you.

After our visit to the Aquarium, we walked around Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf telling Jacob all about John Steinbeck and Jack London.

We then headed for Pacific Grove and the Pinos Lighthouse...having lunch Latitudes, a great little place overlooking the rocks and water. What a heavenly spot this penninsula is. It has everything I need to nourish my soul.....water, wind, sun, beach, and don't forget the cypress trees!!! I never get tired of this vista.

We toured the lighthouse and were impressed that it is still a working one. We have seen others that are not operational..so this was a treat.

We came back to Carmel via the 17-mile drive...heading over to Pebble Beach. The US Open had just been there, and they were still taking down the viewing stands and huge tents. We have spent a lot of time here with good friends, and have many good memories. Dick still remembers birdie-ing the 7th hole!!!

Jacob plays Pebble Beach on his Wii,...so it was fun for him to see the "real deal".

We ended the drive at the beach, where Jacob cascaded down a sand dune numerous times. It was a glorious day...the tide was first coming in..and we all just enjoyed the experience.

After that, we went back to the hotel...passed the swim...and got dressed for dinner. We headed back into Pacific Grove to one of our favorite restaurants....Fandango. We have been going here for at least 12 years...and rarely vary our dinner. The paella is spectacular...even better here than in Spain....and with some sangria...who could ask for anything better?

The next morning we got up early again, packed the car, and headed to San Jose. Jacob was dying to go to the Winchester Mystery House....and so we did. This was the home of Sarah Winchester...heiress to the Winchester Rifle Fortune. She lost her baby at 6 months and then her husband when he was 41.

So she moved West to San Jose, and bought hundreds of acres of land, and built a house. But this is not just any house. The spirits, whom she consulted all the time, told her that if she continued to build this house, they would not come and take her life. So, since she was very superstitious, she continued to construct this home 24/7. She NEVER stopped adding rooms and stairways, and closets and passageways. It is really very sad...but the house is quite something. Jacob especially liked the "Stairway to nowhere". You just opened a door and fell out!!

We were going to stop to see the Computer Museum, but it was closed for renovations...so we headed into San Francisco. What an amazing city...and how fun to be able to share it with "new eyes".

We pulled up to the Ritz Carlton, in the fabulous turn-of-the-last-century Met Life Building, and we welcomed graciously. This is a magnificent hotel...truly a gem in the Ritz Carlton family, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. We were escorted to our gorgeous room on the Club Floor, and went there to make some arrangments.

I had been so clever and bought tickets in advance for Hearst Castle ..and the Monterey Aquarium...but it never occurred to me to do it for Alcatraz. Well, when the concierge told me that it was all sold out, I freaked! That was the one thing Jacob really wanted to do...and I didn't want to disappoint him. What a terrible grandmother!!!

The concierge on the Club Floor, Alexander , saw my distress and "Went to Plan B". He told me about a company that did a tour of San Francisco, ending with a tour of Alcatraz! It was a perfect solution, as we only had one full day in San Francisco. Thank goodness for Urban Safari!!!

After making the arrangements for tomorrow, we headed into town...showing Jacob Union Square and the surrounding fun things. Then we queued up for a Cable Car ride back up to Nob Hill, where the Ritz is located. What fun for Jacob to stand on the side of the car and look up and down the steep hills.

After changing, we walked into China Town for dinner. We ate at a restaurant called R&G Lounge....which conceivably could be the best Chinese food I have ever eaten in my life. The special crab was just exquisite, as was the special beef. Just an amazing dinner. Walked home and collapsed. Tomorrow will be a LONG day(as was today)

We got up early and grabbed the cable car down to the Wharf area. We walked around, and showed Jacob a different Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery than the one in Monterey.We took the trolley and went downtown, and made a loop back to the Wharf. Then we had a light lunch of seafood, and headed to the spot where we were to get our jeep for the city safari

The tour was great, and included an Up Close and Personal of the Golden Gate Bridge...plus a drive around Golden Gate Park,a short tour of the Presidio, the Castro area, the Painted Ladies houses and much more. A wonderful and fun overview.

Then they dropped us at the Pier, and we boarded the ferry for Alcatraz. This is a wonderful tour...taking about 3 hours. Needless to say, after all the walking, and the ferry ride, and the length of the day....we needed a little "pick-me-up". So we walked over to Ghiaradelli Square and bought Jacob a 3-scoop

ice cream sundae...with the BEST chocolate on top (as well as nuts, cherries and whipped cream).

What a perfect way to end a perfect day!!

We hopped into an empty limo, and he took us back to the hotel, where we decided to pass on a fancy dinner. Jacob wanted to swim in the hotel pool (this one was heated), and it was nice to work off some energy. Then we went into the Club Room and had a snack. It was all we needed after this day.

The next morning, we said good-bye to all our new friends at the hotel and we headed back to LA. It had been a wonderful trip, filled with windy coastal roads, otters waving at us, cypress trees bending in the breeze, cobblestones waiting to be walked upon, golf courses, glorious food, and the ever present sound of the cable cars moving up and down the windy, steep hills. And lest we forget.... the ever present Pacific ocean.

It was a magical 5 days....and all of us enjoyed every moment. What a joy to share it with a 12-year-old. We are very grateful to everyone who helped make this happen.