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 .

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 ), 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.


downtown Civic Centre in SF.



The obligatory Golden Gate Bridge shot.


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


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.



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.



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




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







Couple pics on our way to and around Lake Tahoe. I was annoyed how they charge for practically every good photo parking lot . 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.





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



Pebble Beach Lodge. REALLY nice place!





Shots of the Pebble Beach golf course from the cafe.



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.

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2014 Mazda 3 GT: Ø Consumption: (click for details)