05 Nov San Fransisco – Trip Diary Part 1

Good Morning Friends! Well, I’m back from our travels! I needed 4 days to recuperate, as we were very active for this trip from start to finish. Today, throughout this week, I am going to be posting and sharing pictures of our trip to San Fransisco, Sonoma and Napa, otherwise known as Wine Country. I will be breaking down the trip into 3 parts, Monday, Tuesday and Friday. There were so many photos to go through, process, as well as thinking about all of the things we did. I had never been to California, so this was an awaited trip. We had such an amazing time!

Port Costa

( View from our living room)

You may have read the post, Phrases I Would Find Useful on My Trip to Italy, and why that trip was cancelled, yet replaced by this wonderful excursion to the Sunny State.  First, I should say, we stayed in a town called Port Costa. Very small, Port Costa was founded in 1879 as a landing for the railroad ferry Solano, owned and operated by the Central Pacific Railroad.^[7] This put Port Costa on the main route of the transcontinental railroad.^[7 . ( WIki Source).  it was funny, as not many people knew where it was. We found out house through VRBO, and the view from the living room and outdoor space is what drew us to it. Sold!

My hubby and I love to use VRBO or rent houses for the mere space and often because you find more of a deal than a hotel. We were about 45 minutes to Sonoma and Napa Vineyards, and then less time to drive to then take the Ferry into San Fransisco.

Our host, Veronica, was wonderful, this was her family home, and she gave us the tour of the house, sharing the vintage radios and artifacts from her family. Photographs on the wall, showed a stylish mother, and father in the Service.  She, herself, was a singer, a musician that played with Livingston Taylor and also with an all girl group, the first of its kind in the day.

We could enjoy the sunrise or sunset from the porch, the view was amazing. A wooden bench with hung square boxed lights provided some atmosphere in the evening, if we sat out to enjoy a bottle of Cabernet.

I love having the spaciousness of a house, when we go away, and this area was quite private and quiet as well.

Enjoy the view at night with a bottle of vino.

San Fransisco- Alcatraz and More

We took the ferry in for a ride into San Fran. The first day we spent at Sonoma Vineyards, and I will be sharing those pictures and experiences in another part of my trip post.

From San Fran, we took another ferry into see the infamous Alcatraz.  My hubby had been there, but the closest I got to seeing “The Rock,” was the movie with Clint Eastwood, “Escape from Alcatraz”, which was more fictionalized. The prison had been shut down since 1963 but has housed some very famous criminals, namely, Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly and “Birdman,” Robert Stroud. “The small island was developed with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a federal prison from 1934 until 1963.” I enjoyed the audio tour as it walked us through the prison, and individual cells, to learn more about life on the Rock. I had no idea families actually lived on the island as well, and the kids would take a ferry into school on SF. Now, that an interesting childhood!

I truly enjoyed learning more and more about this famous prison, many of the prisoners being transferred from Levinworth. There was a famous escape, where 3 men had planned to break out and make their way to SF.. but the mere thought of the water, during the time of year makes me think it was impossible. Hypothermia, would have been their downfall for sure. ( that’s what I think!)

The only time prisoners could see the light of day, was the time in “the yard”. A large area outside, where I learned that prisoners would obsess over the game of bridge ( a solitary game) and would also walk. I could only imagine that this view of San Fran and the beautiful Bay, would give some solace to the prisoners, and not afforded to many, as time outside was earned.

I was able to stand in a cell, seeing just how tiny the space was. If one was penalized for bad behavior, they were put in “The Hole” The Hole, was a smaller dark cell, with nothing but the prisoner inside.

In regard to my condition, Ehlers- Danlos, traveling is difficult. I’m not going to say it isn’t. I have hypermobility, and the energy it takes to “hold up myself” and stand, along with walking slowly, is the hardest thing for me. I can walk fast, sit, ( with breaks) but standing is tough. The concrete floors make it more difficult, and by the end of the tour, my legs, feet and back, were screaming. The pain is quite intense, and exhausting, so even with taking some breaks on benches, it was something I had to push myself to do. I would have to take it easy tomorrow due to the muscle pain from standing and walking slowly.

Afterward, to relax, we went to a seafood restaurant in Fisherman’s Wharf, and wanted more soup. Chowder is was! We enjoyed a crab sandwich, and soup and just sat and talked. It was nice to rest my legs and just sit for a while.

Jambu Rimini

I do have to say, I wore my Jambu Rimini booties the whole trip, with the exception of Alcatraz. I wore them all throughout the city and the Vineyards and they were so great! I always feel like I can wear Jambu shoes and boots around while traveling or just when I have to walk alot, and they are very comfortable. I had no trouble all day wearing the Rimini, just as I did in NYC with the Naomis I wore.

You can get 20% off any Jambu purchase with EDS18 CODE.

The Presidio

The second day we were in SF, we went to The Presidio, which was a military base and barracks and now, a National Park.

We walked around the area and just were in awe of the beauty. We ran into many pups while we were there, and I of course, had to stop for my “daily pet”. We didn’t bring Gibby and Truffy, so I tried to get my fix when I could.

We then drove to the Golden Gate Bridge, and hubby took a ton of pictures down below the bridge, where he has always wanted to get some shots. We have a 20 ft great room, so I have lots of wall space. My Fall-Winter project is to process, print and hang trip photos- some of these included.

Scomas Restaurant- since 1965

We ate at several different restaurants over the 2 days we were in SF. I never grew tired of the clam chowder. Oh my goodness! So good! I am the type that could eat seafood every day! We ate dinner another day in SF at Scomas, an award-winning, family owned restaurant, with furnishing and stools straight out of the 1970s, that added to its charm.

You have heard the phrase “Farm to Table”? This is “Pier to Plate”, and is an establishment that is legendary. From the beginning, the Scoma Family forged relationships with the fishermen who defined the wharf. They tirelessly renovated Pier 47 to fit the needs of a local fishermen who wanted to sell their daily catch directly to the family, rather than to large wholesalers. ( website) 

My husband ordered the Cioppino, or seafood stew, in a rich tomato base. I ordered scallops and shrimp, with vegetables, and wow, buttery smooth, and delicious. We defied the wine “rules” and each had a glass of Pinot Nior, as it was light and smooth, delicious with the seafood.  Their clam chowder was the best! The fish is brought in from the Fisherman right off the pier! Can’t get fresher than that!  It was so good!

Stop by tomorrow and Friday for the continuation of my vacation stories and trip to Wine Country. 

Have a great day!  Stop by for Turning Heads Tuesday!

Jess xx

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