Writeup of trip to Nor Cal.
 

Took a trip to San Francisco and Nor Cal last week from the 7th to the 13th. I haven't been to California in at least 5+ years, so this was pretty much all new. Flew from Wash. Dulles nonstop to SFO and flew back from San Jose connecting at O'Hare to Wash. Reagan on the way back, both on United through the FF miles. Honestly, United service gets worse everytime I ride and I'm really looking to any other airline that'll provide decent service thesedays :rolleyes:.

As for the rental car, I purposely booked Compact knowing well that rental car companies overbook and that I'd be upgraded for free. At SFO, Alamo basically lets you pick your own car on the honor system, leaving the keys in the keyhole for all the cars parked in the garage. We arrived at noon, right with everyone else. All the compacts and midsizes were gone, and everyone was kind of in a mad dash to take the remaining cars left. So we paid compact, and drove off in a full-size Impala (it was the only thing I wouldn't mind being seen in). Not a bad drive, although the pushrod V6 clearly struggled at high altitudes when we drove to Lake Tahoe and the 4-speed is geared so wide that 1st gear runs to 55mph and 4th is humming 80mph @ 2000rpm. First gear kickdown @ 40mph to merge is kinda cool, but it always hesistates and it feels like the technology was from the Stone Age. The transmission is rubbish, but everything else was alright, I even net 30mpg on the highway. I hated how it "bongs" at everything you do, but the AUX input was a nice touch for the longer drives. Anyway, point is, don't pay for a full-size when you can get the upgrade free at the pickup place. And the Americans are making better cars, but they always leave out something crucial that prevents it from winning tests.

Spent the latter half of the first day in downtown SF, second day in Napa Valley (and saw Infineon Raceway :thumbup: ), third day was also downtown SF with relatives, 4-5th days were at Lake Tahoe, 6th day at Monterey, and last day was an early morning flight (8am) back home that involved loads of delays and hassles. Never take Flight 618 from Chicago; I've taken it 3 times and it has never once been less than 30min delayed. :thumbdown

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downtown Civic Centre in SF.

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The obligatory Golden Gate Bridge shot.

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Shot from the other "side". The 330i was included on purpose :rofl:

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As I drove up and down the hills of SF, my mom was so freaked out (as expected). I say that if you can learn stickshift in these places, you're good to go! Shot from the bottom of the Lombard Street hill, which we did drive down. Had me wishing for my X3 and HDC.

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My uncle & aunt's house in San Ramon, just north of Pleasanton. Huge community there, a bit too big for my tastes. The repeating architecture of the houses kinda got on my nerves too..........looked cheap compared to the stuff I'm used to seeing on the East Coast. But I suppose building materials are different due to earthquakes and restrictions.

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A pic from the Sattui Winery, one of many in Wine Country.

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A couple shots from Sacramento and the Capital building. Didn't seem like a bad place at all, don't know why more people dont live there :dunno:

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Couple pics on our way to and around Lake Tahoe. I was annoyed how they charge for practically every good photo parking lot :tantrum:. I hate to sound cheap, but it's totally not worth it for me to shell out $6 just to park 5 minutes and take pictures. If I did that for all the photo points, I'd be paying like $40 just to take pictures.

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A couple shots from Inspiration point looking down at Emerald Bay.

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Pebble Beach Lodge. REALLY nice place!

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Shots of the Pebble Beach golf course from the cafe.

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A pic from Asilomar Beach, just up the road from Pebble Beach and the 17-mi drive.

I have a LOT more photos, but haven't had the time to upload and edit/resize them. More photos later.;)

Great shots. Looks like perfect weather. Love the Tahoe pics :thumbup:

Northern California Bay Area...What can I say. A sprinkle of snow once every decade. Rains only in the winter and I'm talking rain not giant Thunderstorms. Thunder and Lightning is a novelty because it happens so infrequently. Temperature hardly ever freezes and hardly ever gets above 95-100.

Very Liberal...Well honestly Extremely Liberal. Some of the highest gas prices in the United States. Some of the Highest Taxes in the United States. That said...I love living in the North Bay Area.

Hey, glad you had a good time. Nice photos!

Awesome

there has been some really nice weather lately. (ehh...a little too hot for me...oh wait...i can see fog from window now :))

Great pics!

i'll be staying tuned for more :popcorn:

Interesting analysis As you said "A couple shots from Sacramento and the Capital building. Didn't seem like a bad place at all, don't know why more people dont live there " As with anything if you spend enought time in any location it's becomes apparent why people choose here versus there. Personally i prefer somewhere along the 17 mile drive but i'll wait on my first million before i make my move. LOL

nice pics! making me miss the west coast. my company is headquarterd in san jose, and my dad still lives out in tahoe.

:kewlpics:

awesome pics :thumbup:

More pics
 

To keep the thread fresh, more pictures for your enjoyment.

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Don't know what building this is, but it's adjacent to the SF Civic Centre.

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Couldn't get a sunset shot due to trip timing, but this will have to do. A shot from a vantage point near Half Moon Bay.

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San Francisco Exploratorium and the beautiful Lagoon.

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Some really pretty Victorian-style houses right next to the Exploratorium. Fairly impressed with the pretty style, although my aunt tells me they were built on a former landfill site. :eek:

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The Cheeseburger from Rutherford Grille in Rutherford (in Napa Valley). Great food and service, and it surpassed my expectations. Their steaks tend to be on the expensive side, but there's good stuff for around $20.


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If you're lookin for a twisty, windy road then try the Oakland Grade between Napa's Rt. 29 and Rt 12 north of Sonoma. It directly cuts across the mountains between the two valleys, takes about 30+ minutes. Steep hills, 10-mph hairpin turns, off-camber sweepers, its all here. (My mom actually got pretty angry that I took her this way lol)

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Cool shot I got on the way to Lake Tahoe, with the sun right behind the trees.

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Late day picture from the shores of Lake Tahoe.

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Picture of the fog in the valley and the mountains beyond from the 17-mi drive.

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Shot of the "Lone Cypress", also on the 17-mi drive. Must be pretty lonely up there........

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Me at Asilormar Beach.

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Oooooo I want these fish!!!! Taken from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I got in for free thanks to my friend who works there :thumbup:. Great exhibits, probably better in some ways than the Baltimore Aquarium we have here.

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Me and my friends. Yes, long-distance friendships CAN work. Long story short, I met them for the first time over a weekend in January when we participated in a National orchestra of sorts, drawing good musicians from around the country. The two friends live in Monterey, and I thought it would be cool to meet up with them on my trip.