Monday, June 6, 2011

June 17th Friday

Friday June 17

Day 1: Arrive in San Francisco. 10 something pm

Check into hotel

Saturday June 18th




Saturday June 18

The car should be ready for pick up at around noon

I would like to try to stop by and see my uncle in Berkeley, if only for a few minutes, which I can take a train to.

Mary can come with me or spend the day exploring San Fran or Berkley...or whatever

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl


Things interesting to me in San Francisco:

1) Driving across the Golden Gate Bridge

2) Acatraz

It's a bit pricey and time consuming ($26 and 2.5 hours). I

t includes a ferry ride that takes you past sea lions

http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/

In the evening I think we should head to the north and drive up

the coast line, just to see and stay somewhere along the way.

For instance:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

Sunday June 19th





Sunday June 19th - hit up mass at one of the missions. We have three choices:

San Francisco de Asis, Mission Dolores, 6th mission

On a site selected by Juan Bautista de Anza, the first mission church was a 5

0-foot long log and mud structure that was eventually moved to higher ground, adjacent

to Lake Dolores which gives it its second name, Mission Dolores. Dedicated to Saint Francis by Father Serra in 1776, today the mission sits in the heart of San Francisco and is the oldest building in the city. Much of the original church interior is intact and the gilded reredos and colorful wall paintings are good examples of early California art.

3321 16th St., San Francisco, 94114, (415) 621-8203


San Rafael Arcangel, 20th mission
This mission is located 20 miles north of San Francisco at the foot of Mount Tamalpais. It was established as a sanitarium and hospital for San Fran
cisco neophytes suffering from depression and disease. The one padre in California who had medical training, Luis Gil y Taboado was so successful that other missions soon began sending their sick Indians. Within five years it was raised to full missio

n status and dedicated to the patron of health in 1817. The small church with sta

1104 Fifth Ave., San Rafael, 94901, (415) 454-8141

San Francisco Solano, 21st mission
Founded in 1823 on July 4 by Father Jose Altimira, this historic mission is the site of the Bear Flag Revolt and the effort to establish the Republic of California in 1846. The church seen today is a parish church built in 1840; the original was mostly washed away by a tremendous thunderstorm. A small portion of the original quadrangle exists, and the world-famous Sebastiani Vineyards include much of the original mission vineyard. The annual Vintage Festival is the oldest in the state, and each year the blessing of the grapes is performed by a Franciscan priest in front of the mission. A small museum is housed in the former padres wing with a display of California mission paintings.
20 E. Spain St., Sonoma, 95476, (707) 938-15
19



Then drive up the Pacific coast highway, until we've seen enough coastline to last us and then head inland to either Sonoma or Napa and stop at one winery...maybe this one:

In the evening, we'll head out to Lake Tahoe and get as much driving as much as we can.

Lake Tahoe Monday June 20th


Spend the day exploring the lake! so apparently there is a Viking castle at lake tahoe...we might have to go there.

Water fall hike:

Tuesday June 21st




Tuesday June 21st

Reno



Virginia City


Carson City


June 22nd Wednesday


June 22nd Wednesday

YOSEMITE!!!!

There is a twelve mile hike, (mostly down hill) that takes you by several of the impressive water falls that the park has to offer.

You can also drive up to the top of Glacier Point.

This guy's blog is awesome!

http://www.images35.com/yosemite.htm

We have several options for spending the night.


1) The park has several no reservation camp sites. They open and 8:30am and have a long line waiting for them to open and fill up immediately. We should plan on being there by 7:30am. Picking on that is in the center of the park.

2) There are is a site that was little tent like cabins that are still available, but they cost $144 per night. I think that this is a little steep, but it might be worth it, not to have to leave the park.

3) Get a motel outside of the park

June 23nd Thursday



June 23nd Thursday

Mariposa Grove (where the red woods are)


Mono Lake and then head back as far as we feel like driving.

June 24th Friday




June 24th Friday

Free day

Options

1) Monterrey

2) San Jose (where the Winchester Mansion is)


3) Sacramento

4) Jelly Belly Factory


Sunday, June 5, 2011