Seriously, Best Climate?

Thank goodness for a mid semester day break on Friday which allowed us traveling time to be able to enjoy half a day more for our Bay stay.

This was the first time to visit my youngest in his new California environs, Redwood City, a Bay bedroom community in San Mateo county which boasts the 'best climate.' This visit's purpose besides getting to see my son and his fiancee was to meet future in-laws who had flown in from L.A. The kids had all our activities planned and even rented a SUV so we could all travel in one vehicle. 

The only transportation issue was the desired SUV was unavailable and the rental place replaced it with an Infinity SUV. It was a monster since its height made underground parking virtually impossible in the old city and its girth was a challenge for parallel hillside parking besides navigating narrow streets.

Dinners were eclectic and  Friday night we walked through busy downtown Redwood for Szechuan food  after lighting Sabbath candles and blessing the wine and bread. We made a good dent in each dish but had leftovers.  Need I say we ate well all weekend...

Saturday's weather was also splendid and after breakfast we headed to the city to enjoy Fisherman's Wharf, its crowds, vendors, seafood restaurants and 

                                    infamous sea lions. 

Those sea lion loungers have grown to an impressive community of 700  since my last visit many moons ago...


After perusing  the tourist walkways sprinkled with entertainers, booths and shops surrounding  Pier 39 we collected our reserved tickets for a boat tour of the Golden Gate Bridge and 
Alcatraz





The fog was lifting and it was a spectacular day for sailing and our harbor tour.

They are repainting the Golden Gate bridge once again which is quite an endeavor.

One can see the scaffolding on the underside as the last level of the underside is being completed.

 Alcatraz is agin' but still as haunting as ever... 

On our return walk to the car we got a good whiff of the infamous San Francisco sour dough bread being made.

After leaving Fisherman's Wharf we drove through China Town up and down the big hills but ended up not eating there due to parking and the same happened when trying to visit the Japanese Gardens. It was Saturday after all and everybody else had the same idea to be outside.  All was not lost as we just  headed to a different neighborhood to enjoy Vietnamese Pho soup. At 2:30 in the afternoon it was packed and obviously a favorite of the locals. Yummy.

Our next stop would be the spectacular ocean views where hang gliders take off and folks bring their dogs to enjoy the scenic trails at Fort Fundston.  

 Impressive to say the least.

The late afternoon sun was trying to reappear...

We made the most of a beautiful 70 degree day. We returned to Redwood City and after a homemade dinner of tender bar b que short ribs,  kale and lentils accompanied by good conversation .
we slept well after a very enjoyable full day of Bay air.

Tomorrow more California fun with the Family before we head home...