Updated September 12 at 5:00 p.m.
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We didn't find any sights that inspired us to stop for photos today....
Until we got to our lunch destination - Alioto's on Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco.
Photo one is the million dollar view from the third floor semi-formal dining room of this great San Francisco iconic institution.
Photo two was Oysters Rockefeller, sorry you missed them! Next up, in photo three, is my entree:"Wild Barramundi - Delicate white fleshed fish similar to halibut, pan roasted with crimini mushrooms and pearl onions drizzled with truffle oil and served on a bed of mashed potatoes."
Photo four is Diana's entree: "Sicilian Mixed Grill - Stuffed calamari, marinated skewered shrimp and involtini of swordfish served with rice."
We each had a single glass of Pinot Grigio, coffee, and shared a cannelloni dessert.
~Narrative~
It was a great sleep I had last night, making it all the way to morning without waking up!
A surprise in the parking lot was a silver 500 with Arizona plates. We are now three for three having seen another one each day of the trip. I forgot to mention it in the day two log, but we sighted a northbound black one at the most unlikely spot of Orick. Orick is a very small village spread along the edges of US 101 between Crescent City and Eureka.
After the normal routine of preparing to get underway and having the complimentary breakfast offering we were on the road at 8:05. We spent a few minutes driving around in the Town of Ft. Bragg. It is so nice to see a historic downtown district well preserved and vibrant with businesses all about. Last night we eat at the North Coast Brewing Company's restaurant. It was so much more than the pub fare you commonly find today. Diana had calimari steaks and I had a seafood etouffee! Another pleasing item of note is that the brewing company is a supporter of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. To date the brewery has donated over $100,000.00 to help with jazz education.
We drove south on CA 1 and then turned inland on CA 128, thus making a compromise between backroads and getting to San Francisco in time for lunch. CA 128 takes you through Anderson Valley. Like many other parts of the tri-county area (Napa-Sonoma-Mendocino) the hills have been covered with vineyards and the semi-flat areas are covered with wineries and tasting rooms.
Even though we lived in the Bay Area for over twenty years we had not eaten in the 'good' dining room at Alioto's. It was a bit steep for lunch ($115.63 with tip), but we are on vacation! The service was first class, the food excellent, and with a view only a millionaire can afford to own.
Tonight we dine at Harry's Hofbrau in Redwood City - I suspect (and hope) the tab will be much more affordable! We made a short visit to a Barnes & Noble. I was looking at the Fall 2011 issue of Garage Style magazine when I was very surprised to find an article with a photo of two Fiat 124 spides, one with a license plate frame from Fiat America, the club we are visiting tonight! Perhaps the owner is a member of the club...
Tuesday we must decide what route to follow towards San Diego. It is simply out of the question to take backroads all the way, the distance is just too great. Another compromise will be needed.
~Statistics~
Today's starting point: Ft. Bragg, California
Today's departure time: 8:05 a.m.
Today's end point: Redwood City, California
Today's arrival time: 2:45 p.m.
Miles driven = 203.9
Elapsed driving time = 5 hours
Average speed = 40 mph
Average miles per gallon = 39.7
Route followed today: CA 1 south to CA 128 to US 101 south to Redwood City, with a detour in San Francisco to Fisherman's Wharf.