West Coast 18 (National Parks +) Index

Day 1 - L.A. Bound
Day 2 - Six Flags Magic Mountain
Day 3 - Off to Nevada, Laughlin
Day 4 - Route 66 and the Grand Canyon
Day 5 - Grand Canyon to Page + Horseshoe Bend
Day 6 - Page and Antelope Canyons
Day 7 - Monument Valley
Day 8 - Arches National Park
Day 9 - Bryce Canyon
Day 10 - Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park
Day 11 - Zion National Park
Day 12 - Zion to Vegas
Day 13 - Vegas
Day 14 - Hoover Dam and Vegas
Day 15 - Death Valley
Day 16 - Off to Yosemite
Day 17 - Yosemite, Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove
Day 18 - Yosemite Valley
Day 19 - ... onwards to San Francisco
Day 20 - San Francisco
Day 21 - homeward bound

Please bear in mind that this blog is primarily put together for family and my daily reports are typed "live" on a tablet and there are spelling mistakes - oops!!  There are also a couple of days where wifi connection was poor so few or no photos were uploaded.  I will try and put all these things right when I have the time!

If you have enjoyed or found any of this useful please comment and let me know!

Thank you for reading

Day 21 homeward bound

So, our grand tour comes to an end today.  I hate last days!  I never seem to have a plan except to get to the airport on time.  It's the only part of holidays that really stresses me.  I don't like to do anything late.

So with a very loose plan of visiting the coast we had a quick hotel breakfast, packed and repacked trying to make everything fit and not to be too heavy!  One large and one medium case was the wrong decision, Two large next time!

We headed West out of Castro Valley and crossed the San Mateo bridge in the direction of half moon bay and Highway 1, the Pacific coast road.  It was a journey that should have taken just over half an hour but as we crossed the hills before the coast we hit slow moving traffic.  Unfortunately there wasn't much we could do, single lane traffic and no turn offs.  We feared it might be all the way to the coast.  After about 20 mins or so we passed through a small farming community where each farm had their pumpkins laid out and they had laid of activities for families like haunted houses, pony rides and bouncy castles.  This it appeared was the hold up!  People looking plus those pulling in and out of the farms!

We drove a little way  south down highway 1 and after a couple of attempts found somewhere to park the car.  It was actually at a hotel called Ritz-carlton that had spaces for the publuc to park and allowed access to the coastal trail through their grounds and golf course.  It was lovely, the sun  was shining and we walked down to the beach listening to the waves crashing. We walking a little further along the cliffs path beford turning back.

Back in the car and we followed highway 1 north.  We would have stopped a few times but the lovely weather  combined with a bank holiday weekend had brought the masses out to the coast.  Some of the days were packed with surfers.

We eventually stopped for a burger in a shopping mall near Daly City.  With a couple of hours still to waste we wandered round a Target and an attached shopping mall before giving up and heading to the airport.

We returned the car to the car rental garage (the Kia has done us well over the last 3 weeks,  2775 miles in total!) and made our way on the airtrain to the International Terminal A.  We printed our boarding passes, and dropped off our cases before heading through security.  It was all fairly quiet and quick.

We were on the double decker A380 and had booked the very last row, as the side seats were 2's and we could recline without bothering anyone.   Much more comfortable than our journey out.

Day 20 San Francisco

Up a bit more leisurely this morning with hot breakfast included at the hotel again. 

We drove to the Castro Valley BART (Bay Area Rapid Transport) car park which is free on the weekends.  We walked across the road into the station and found machine to buy tickets.  After a bit of umming and ahhhing we eventually got 2 tickets loaded with enough money for return travel to SF.  It wasn't too tricky really, we are just slow about reading all the instructions.  Tickets in hand we entered the station and made our way to the platforms.  These are positioned between the carriageway of the freeway at Castro Valley which was interesting!

BART station in the centre of the freeway!

We waited about 15 minutes for a train which was pretty empty.  We grabbed a seat and enjoyed the passing scenery until we entered the final underwater stretch.  The trains move quite fast and our ear popped a couple of times as we went down beneath the bay!

We got off underground at Embarcadero and exited to bright blue skies in San Francisco.  Checking shadows on the ground we headed north until we found pier 9, then turned left to follow the road round the bay area.

There was quite a bit of activity area the bay but having not been before we didn't know if this was normal.  It soon became apparent that I hadn't done my homework on SF.  This week is Fleet Week and there was lots going on.  By the time we got to Pier 39 it was heaving.  Although there were lots of people it still felt relaxed and everyone was chilling and enjoying the weekend.  We walked along pier 39 looking at all the restaurants and shops until we got to the far end where we found the seal viewing area.  There were lots of them basking in the sunshine and also swimming around the dock.

We walked a little further to some Bay Boat tours where I managed to persuade Keith to take the hour long bay tour!  He would have preferred the speedboat tour but that didn't go where I wanted to go!

It was about 11.45 and the guy in the ticket booth said they had tickets for 12.15, so we purchased those then went to join the queue.  After the obligatory green screen photo, we boarded and managed to find seats on the top deck.  The journey out of the harbour was a little bumpy but with the sun out and little breeze it was a gorgeous day to be out on the water.

We made our way out towards the Golden Gate Bridge and passed underneath it before turning round (this was a little bumpier) and heading back to pass around Alcatraz.  As we headed back to dock we watched first a parachutist with an American Flag followed by an airliner making a fly past.  It soon became apparent that actually there was a full blown air show this afternoon and the parks and walkways along the bay were jam packed.

Alcatraz

Back on dry land we bought some ice creams and sat on a nearby wall to eat them.  Keith noticed a movement on some nearby flowers.  It was a hummingbird!   (Pic to follow next week from camera!)

We carried on walking West with the intention of getting some more good views of the bridge but we kept getting distracted by the air show!  It really was very good with the aircraft flying very close to the water and also overhead.  The highlight was the Blue Angels, similar to the Red Arrows and obviously held in high regard by Americans as they were all very excited when they were announced. 

We didn't make it all the way to the bridge but we did have a fantastic time enjoying the flying displays.  It was lovely to see everyone relaxed and enjoying the sunshine, including the police and emergency services. 

At 4pm we decided we ought to head back.  We retraced out steps back along the bay alongside everyone else now the flying displays had finished.  We grabbed a hog dog from a street seller on the way back as we realised we hadnt eaten much since breakfast.  Our feet were starting to hurt and we ambled back to the BART.

We quickly found our platform and waited for the train for Dublin/Pleasanton.  It was a bit busier than this morning but after the first stop we got seats and the 35 minute journey soon passed.

We went back to the hotel to shower and freshen up before we set of for our last evening meal at Applebees.  It was gone 6 by the time we got back.

It didn't quite turn out to be the day we expected but we have thoroughly enjoyed what we have seen of San Francisco. It was clean, friendly,  interesting and had a lovely vibe.  We would be very happy to return and explore more.

Day 19 ... onwards towards San Francisco

After 3 nights in this lovely part of the world we are on the move again to our final destination, Castro Valley, just outside San Francisco.

We had our 'at home' breakfast of cereal and fruit and then packed up the car.  As the sun was shining this morning we decided to head back to the valley floor for some sunshine photos before we headed off.   Keith has been feeling very tired the last couple of days and it was only as we passed an elevation sign this morning we wondered whether 'living' above 6000ft was not helping his breathing.  We'll see if it gets better in SF or whether he's just worn himself out with all the sightseeing!

We stopped first at Tunnel View, who could resist one last look along the valley to Half Dome, gorgeous.

We then carried on into the valley area and stopped a few times to top up the photo count.  We also parked up near the lower Yosemite Falls area and walked a little til we found a view I had liked yesterday where you can see the falls from the walkway.  The flow definitely looked slower than yesterday but the whole area is just lovely.  Must admit I was relucant to leave, not sure whether it was Yosemite itself or just the fact that it is our last national park!

We continued to enjoy the scenery as we left the valley and followed the rest of the Tioga Pass out of the park and into the hills of Stanislaus National Forest area.  We found some more fascinating roads including the steep and winding road out of the hills and down to a town called Moccasin.  There was also a large reservoir here and we found somewhere to stop and look at the water while we ate our sandwich lunch.

The next part of the drive was very flat and there was a lot of agriculture. There were a lot of trees planted in rows and it took us a while to find clues to tell us what the crop was - almonds (we think)!

We joined the freeway and it was a bit manic.  The opposite carriageway was packed with people leaving the city on Friday afternoon, our side was flowing but fast and busy.

After one missed turn and a bit of re-routing, we found our hotel and checked in, then took some time to relax before heading out for dinner.

A new restaurant chain for us for dinner tonight, Black Angus Steahouse, bit like Longhorns.  We were very impressed with our ribs and teriyaki steak meals.

Hoping to use the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transport system) to get into San Francisco tomorrow, no idea how that's going to go,  we don't do public transport usually! 😲

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Day 18 Yosemite Valley and Waterfalls

We were out of the condo just after half 8 this morning having had cereal and fruit 'at home'.  We headed for the Valley Floor through the rain! 

Once at the valley floor we took the first parking lot for Bridalveil Falls (620ft/189m falls).  This was a nice, reasonably easy 1.2 mile round trip walk with fabulous views of the falls.  We found out later that this waterfall is usually dry by this time of the year and has been dry through summer before the rains this week, so there is a plus side to all this rain we've seen in the last couple of days!

We were back down at the car by 9.30 and we drove further into the valley and parked at the visitor centre.  It was fairly quiet, lots of spaces, possibly due to it being early still but also I expect the wet weather was keeping people away!  

After a quick look around the village shop, and the purchase of a waterproof poncho for me as it was still raining, we set off on the 1.5 mile round trip to Lower Yosemite falls (320ft/98m).  Funnily enough the rain had now eased! This was a flat easy walk but the weather was clearing up and it was very pleasant to be walking among the tall pine trees.  If you walk this trail the right way there are spectacular views of the falls framed by trees.  We didn't and had to keep stopping to turn round and take a look! 🤣

We walked back to the village and grabbed a coffee each at Degans Deli which we took back to the car to have while we ate the Danish pastries we'd brought with us.   Yum!

Refreshed, we walked to the nearest bus stop and waited quite a while before one of the Yosemite shuttle buses turned up.  We had about a 20 minute ride before we reached our stop.  Vernal falls.  Not sure we read the description of this walk properly.  I was sure it said easy/moderate walk!  It is a 2 miles round trip to to the viewing bridge, but also 300ft/90m uphill all the way.  Although puffing we decided to walk on towards the top of Vernal falls.  I managed another half mile or so, all up a steep hill, before I let Keith carry on.  After a short rest I carried on and got to the bottom of the granite steps before I saw Keith coming back.  He hadn't quite made it to the top of the falls, there are apparently 600 granite steps to get there and the total elevation gain from the start is 1000ft/300m!  Keith waited for me while I continued up!  I failed! Just too much!  Little bit disappointed but I did get to see the top of the waterfall if not all of it.  We set off back down, have to say it was just as hard going down such a steep slope and I couldn't quite believe how far up l had made it.  The round trip probably took us about an hr and a quarter.

We happily sat on a bench, resting, and waited for the shuttle bus back to the village.  We dropped our coats (poncho still in its packet unused!) and camera at the car and popped back to the shop so I could buy a t-shirt.  Then we were headed back to the condo, with a couple more photo stops in the valley and another at tunnel view again.  It started raining again as we left the valley but no problem as we have achieved all the sights we were hoping for today.

Day 17 Yosemite

Despite some heavy rain In the night we woke to some sunshine this morning.  After  a quick look at some maps I suggested we head first to Glacier Point as our cabin is near the turn off.

Breakfast cereal eaten we grabbed our jackets and camera and set off.  It took about 30 mins to drive there. We stopped once at a viewing point along the way where we could see both Vernals and Nevada falls.  The view from Glacier Point down into Yosemite Valley was gorgeous.  There was some low clouds lingering around the mountains.  Half Dome looked quite close here, more so than I had expected.  We wandered around the viewing areas and took lots more photos before heading back to the car.

We had decided our next stop would be Mariposa Grove, home of some Giant Sequoia trees.  As we would have to pass the road to our cabin we decided to stop and have elevensees!  Refreshed after a Danish brought from Schats bakery yesterday we headed back out to follow the road through Wawona to the southern most point of Yosemite, about 20 miles, 40 mins, away.

We parked in the car park and looking at the sky decided we had better put our jackets on.  To get to the grove you have to take the park bus from the visitor centre, a couple of miles further up the road.  Keith's phone alarned while we were on the bus, he had received a "presidential test alert" along with lots of others on the bus!

Once off the bus we took the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail, approx 2 miles.  This took us past the more famous trees here, the Grizzly, California Tunnel Tree, and Bachelor and the Three Graces.  They are all very impressive and it was definitely worth the drive down here.  Unfortunately the weather wasn't on our side a we had a couple of heavy showers and a thunderstorm!  We managed to shelter from the worst of it but we did get a bit damp!  Keith's phone then alarmed with an emergency alert of flash flooding in the area til 4.15!  Not quite the weather we had been hoping for at Yosemite!

We took the bus back to the car, then the car back to the cabin to get some lunch. I think our busy couple of weeks is catching up with us! Feeling pretty shattered we decided to stay put for a while and rest, the weather was still damp and grey so probably not the best for sightseeing. 

Just after 4 we decided to go down to the valley floor, we had looked at a map for our planned walks tomorrow and thought we'd go for a drive to locate the trail heads.  We hadn't gone far when the rain returned, and only a mile or two before low cloud made visibity very difficult for a while.  Not great on a twisty mountain road.  Keith's phone then had an updated alert for the flash floods extended to later in the day.  It didn't stop us!

We drove round the valley marvelling at the sheer granite cliffs.  Very imposing.  We stopped and walked over a bridge on the Merced river for a while and just got back to the car before another rain shower started.  As we headed past Yosemite village we saw a group of people and cars stopped, there was a herd of deer grazing on a grass verge.   We parked up and walked back to see them.  We've seen deer, squirrels and chipmunks now I just needed to see bears!

Time to head back for dinner, we finished the drive round the valley floor and set off up the Wawona road.  The rain had eased and driving conditions were better when we suddenly came across a queue of cars.   Confused for a while, we assumed someone had had an accident, but no, a momma bear and two cubs were sitting in trees next to the road and everyone was out of their cars taking photos! 

Back "home" again and dinner tonight was chicken fajitas in "street food" mini tortillas.  Delicious.

Keith settled down to some baseball but I don't expect he'll be awake long!

It's been a bit wet but we are thrilled with what we've managed to do today, Yosemite is a beautiful place.

Day 16 Off to Yosemite

A bit more of a leisurely start this morning, we got up about 8 and headed down for the included breakfast which was excellent.  Back in our room and we packed the suitcases again.  We were just about to take them out to the car but we noticed it was raining hard.  We sat on the balcony for a while until it eased then went to check out.  We saw the Scottish couple from yesterday evening and said goodbye to them.

We needed to do a food shop as we will be in a cabin for the next 3 nights.  I had read online that there was an excellent bakery in Bishop, Erick Schats!  We pulled out of the hotel car park then realised the bakery, and wine shop!  was next door and we could have walked.

2 bottles of wine, then into the bakery. Oh my, what an Aladdin's cave of delicousness!  We selected some breads and cakes, then bumped into the other couple we had chatted to last night also oohhing over the cakes! 😁

Next stop was Vons supermarket towards the end of town where we stocked up on all our other food items.

We also gassed the car up in Bishop altho it was a lot more expensive than elsewhere on our trip and didn't quite fill the tank.

We set of north and decided as it was raining hard and it probably wasn't worth getting to Yosemite early, that we would drive to Mammouth lakes.  It was a lovely ski resort with quite a lot of smallish lakes in beautiful settings.  There was also some fall colours to look at.  We also did a detour to June Lake which was also very picturesque.

The weather looked like it was brightening up so we headed on to Yosemite.  Just before we entered the park we decided to top up the gas again as it wasnt as full as we'd like.  This was even more expensive than earlier at over $4 a gallon (it has been as low as 2.89). Park entry was again covered by our annual pass.  We drove along the mountain road of Tioga Pass which was lovely but the weather was very changeable with some heavy rain so it did somewhat spoil the views.  We did manage to stop at quite a few view points though including tunnel view.  I assume the park was quietish because of the weather.

We reached our cabin in Yosemite West at about 4.45.  It is very homely and has everything we could want. 

We cooked a pizza for dinner and had a bottle of red wine.  It is very quiet in the woods and very dark! 🤣

We are hoping the weather is a bit better tomorrow so we can explore.

Most photos on camera sorry! Also running out of Dropbox space and have been deleting some poor or duplicates to make room for more!

Day 15 Death Valley

Time to leave Las Vegas and time to pack the cases again!  We wheeled our cases along the complex route of down, along, round and ups to the car park and set of east out of Vegas.

 

 

We had decided to stop for breakfast somewhere before leaving the outskirts of the city.  We pulled into one if the shopping areas in the Blue Diamond part of town.  We weren't even sure if Babystacks was open but on opening the door we discovered a small cafe type place that was obviously very popular with locals! We were quickly seated and handed a very large menu of breakfasts to choose from.  I ordered a short stack (3 large!) of cinnamon and pecan pancakes and Keith had cowboy omelette, ham, peppers, mushroom and onion, with hash brown and pancakes.  The servers seemed very confused that I didn't want any other breakfast with my pancakes and kept saying it was only a dollar or so more.  No way could I have eaten more!!   It was all excellent and the servers were lovely, even offered free coffee to go!

 

 

Feeling very full we set off again and soon left civilisation, and greenery, behind.  The scenery soon became very arid with very little vegetation, and the road took us once again over mountains and across plains.

There is a fee to pay to enter Death Valley altho there is no gate or manned entrance.  We pulled into the ticket area just to check our annual pass covered us.  Our next stop was at the visitor centre where there was a lot of information about the area, how it was formed and also facts about wildlife and extremes of heat. We spent a good half hour or so here but could have spent more reading all the exhibits, a bit of a shame not to take it all in but we knew we had a lot of miles to cover today.

From here we drove down into the valley.  Such fascinating scenery.  It is the lowest place in North America and our sat nav registered about 61m below sea level.  We also saw temperatures of 104°.

We stopped at a place called Zabriske Point which had a short uphill walk to a lookout point. It was very windy but it was a very warm wind.

There were long stretches of very straight road across the valley. It was very desolate but also beautiful.

As we left the valley there was a long winding road up the mountain, I was a bit unnerved as there were some steep drops very close to the edge of the road.  At the top we pulled in to another lookout point where we found some staggering views that altho very different were just as stunning as the Grand Canyon.  Death Valley was much more interesting than either of us were expecting.

It had taken us quite a while to get this far with stops and we needed to press on to our hotel. The sun was hidden behind the nearby mountains by the time we got to Bishop.

Really pleased with our hotel choice here.  The Creekside Inn is lovely and has a lovely area alongside the creek with comfy chairs and firepits.  After putting our cases in the room, we grabbed a coffee from reception and wandered outside.  I put on the fire pit and it wasn't long before we were joined by a couple from Glasgow, then another couple from L.A..

We stayed for an hour or so chatting about Vegas and our respective trips.  We had asked at reception about places to eat and they had recommended the bowling lane near door for excellent steak and fish.  They were right, it was superb.    

Returning to the hotel we decided to go back to the fire pit and the couple from Glasgow were still there (she could talk for Scotland!) chatting to another couple from California who were on their mini moon having got married on Saturday.  We enjoyed a lovely hour or two, chatting and laughing, before we decided it was bed time.

Another glorious day.  Tomorrow we head for Yosemite, fingers crossed the weather isn't too bad, currently expecting rain! 😞