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The first stop is the Palace of Fine Arts. About a 15 minute stop to walk around and take pictures. Absolutely incredible.
Next we drive over the Golden Gate. OK, its even more art deco then I imagined - even the toll plaza is art deco. On the far side, we stop at a scenic overlook and get a fantastic view of the bridge. Wow!
From there its off to Muir Woods. Its incredible! They have a tree that fell down in 1930 and they counted the rings back and it dates back to 909AD. Thats 1021 years!
Walk up to the third bridge, around cathedral grove, cross over the bridge and back. Stop in the gift shop, of course. Then get my National Park Passport stamped.
We all board up and drive to downtown Sonoma. We have lunch at the Sonoma Cheese Factory. I had a great Tri-Tip sandwhich. Yum. Walked around the square and enjoyed the scenery.
We then travel to the first of three wineries for a taste testing. I dont remember the name, and I was underwhelmed by their wine. The coolest part of the winery was the llama. Apparently, the family got a llama and a couple of sheep for their kids. Of course, the llama's name is Dollie.
The next winery was Viansa. This winery had a great view of the Sonoma Valley. I tried four wines - the Sempre Avante which is a cabernet - chianti mix. Plus their cabernet and chianti. I finished off with their Cabernet Reserve which was fantastic - although at $50 a bottle, it better be.
Viansa also specializes in gourmet foods. Tried a lot of those as well.
Then we went across the street to Cline Cellars. They are famous for their Red Truck wine. It was pretty good, but not the best I had.
They were the most laid back of all the wineries. No pressure, a lot of 'you like that, then try this' - they must have poured me at least six or eight glasses of various wines.
Then I tried the Mourvèdre. Wow! I think I now have a new favorite wine. Bought a bottle. While she was ringing me up, she gave me a taste of the late harvest Mourvèdre. It was sooo good. A desert wine - but not as heavy as a port.
So, all told I bought three bottles of wine.
Back to the hotel and - ok, let me back up. Earlier in the week my sales rep asked about the mini-bar (she is in a different hotel) and I told here there wasn't one. That afternoon I am in the room and room service shows up with a tray of bottled water, fruit, nuts, and cookies. I had been noshing on it all week. Well, I get back to the room and Im hungry and thinking Id have an apple, but its gone.
I head down to the desk and have a chat with the manager, explaining to him that after the room not being ready and the picketers, this was the straw that broke the camel's back. He apologized, had a tray of cheese and fruit sent to my room and gave me a chit for breakfast.
He took a real negative situation and made it a positive. I was impressed.
I clean up and get changed and head out to China Town and have dinner at the Empress of China. Good food and a fantastic view - its on the sixth floor of a building in the heart of Chinatown.
After dinner I wander up to Nob Hill. I heard a native refer to it as 'Snob Hill.'
Then it was on to the Castro. Had drinks at a few bars and then back to the hotel and bed.
This morning I woke up and puttered around town doing chores. Then I headed out to The Presidio. I start out at the Golden Gate Bridge overlook and wander down to Fort Point. I watch a video about the building of the Golden Gate Bridge and quickly wander about the fort. Then I catch the PresidoGo Shuttle back to the bridge and wander out the bridge to the first tower.
Back on the shuttle to the visitors center where I have a nice chat with the park volunteer.
I hop on a bus to head to the Haight. Wander around for a while and try on a 1930's tuxedo, but it didn't fit. Grab a brie on a baguette at a french pastry shop.
Back on the bus and get off at the hotel. Take a nap, pack, and start typing.
For those who are wondering, according to my pedometer, I have walked 37 miles in San Francisco
Tomorrow I fly home and Monday its back to the office.
