Wednesday – We flew on the direct flight Manchester to San Francisco for 3 nights exploring this fantastic city.
Thursday – We did a hop on hop off bus tour which I always recommend as a great way to get your bearings, next stop was Alcatraz – the allegedly escape proof former prison. The tickets include the return boat and a superb audio tour that brings to life the experiences of former inmates and guards as it guides you around the site. (Heartburn even got his picture taken with an ex inmate although we didn’t dare ask what he had done!).
Friday – We hired bikes at Fisherman’s Wharf and cycled across the Golden gate bridge through Sausalito then on past millionaires mansions to Tilburon for the ferry home.
Saturday & Sunday – We picked up a mustang convertible and drove to Groveland (an old mining town that looks like a scene from a cowboy film) to stay at the Charlotte hotel. We spent the next two days exploring Yosemite (The most beautiful place I have ever been) cycling, walking through groves of giant Redwood trees, white water rafting and seeing wildlife before returning to Groveland and dinner in the Iron door saloon.
Monday – Todays top down road trip was the scenic route through country towns and fields of fruit and crops across country to Monterey Bay .
Tuesday – We took a whale watching trip and had a fantastic day where we saw hundreds of Dolphins, Humpbacks and a huge Blue whale that was on the surface sunbathing.
Wednesday – Driving down highway 1 – saying this iconic route is spectacular is an understatement, the route though Carmel, the Big Sur and onwards to San Simeon is amazing with a new stunning vista around every corner. We stayed overnight in Cayucos a little beach town.
Thursday – First stop was San Luis Obispo and a stop at the famous Louisa’s diner, Heartburn had the full works American breakfast while I drooled in to my coffee, then it was onwards down the coast where we hired a Dune buggy at Pismo beach in the morning and in the afternoon saw hundreds on Elephant seals basking and fighting on the beach just off the main highway to Santa Barbara.
Friday – Santa Monica and fantastic a couple of days chilling and enjoying beach life. We hired skateboards and followed the boardwalk to Venice beach to watch the surfers and skateboarders doing their thing & heartburn braved the Pacific Ocean while I held down a beach towel!
Saturday – Las Vegas where we and a quick tour of the sights including Fremont street and some last minute shopping before it was time to head home after one of the best trips ever!
Can’t wait to go back!
