- Cali Trip with Brittany for Spring Break in April of 2014-
Monterey Bay, San Francisco, & Santa Cruz
The Thursday after my last final at UWS, Brittany and I decided to drive down to California a day early. We didn't end up leaving until 9pm since Brittany worked until 7pm that night. We didn't even end up leaving town until 9:30pm since we still needed to fuel up and pack our things in the car.
We drove straight through the night. Brittany was such a trooper driving so late! I tried my absolute best to stay awake with her during the 18 hours drive time to Santa Cruz - our first destination of the trip. We stopped at Mt. Shasta where we got 30 mins of nap time before we continued our drive. Coffee and conversation were the reason for getting through lol.
We arrived at our hotel in Santa Cruz. After we went inside, waited for the concierge to look up our reservation - he couldn't find it. We were a little panicked.. 30 mins later... We found out it was the WRONG hotel, and that our hotel was next door haha. That was EMBARRASSING!
In Santa Cruz we found the cutest Crepe Cafe and Arteak! We absolutely loved our Crepes and they had the cutest little outdoor patio at the Cafe, and the atmosphere was very relaxing and inviting. The shop, Arteak had the coolest handmade furniture that I have ever seen! I would love to buy things there when I am a Chiropractor and can afford it! :)
We visited the beach down the road from our hotel and walked the pier down to some restaurants and by the casino. During this time, Brittany had some serious Dorito cravings which was hysterical! So luckily there was a mini mart a couple blocks away where we could get some. That night we grabbed some dinner at a cute little restaurant and then walked over and got drinks at a mexican restaurant with our chips and salsa.
Next Stop... Monterey Bay!
We visited a really cool beach here! We walked around a little "Park" where we got to see some Monarch butterflies, and a deer in a field. The weather was perfect and warm with a slight breeze.
After walking the trail, it took us to Pebble Beach where there was a huge (red) rock walkway up on the side of the cliff. Just sitting there in the sunshine with the warm breeze was so peaceful. We just sat there and walked around for a few hours. There were so many people on the beach that day. I wish that our beaches in Oregon/Washington were as nice! The water was so blue and clear! I'm pretty sure we saw a sea lion in the ocean as well.
Last Stop - San Francisco :)
During our visit to San Fran, we visited Pier 39, Alcatraz Prison, China Town, and drove across the San Francisco bridge!
Our hotel was a "few" miles away from Downtown China Town - and Brittany decided she didn't want to drive anymore, so why don't we walk down there and get homemade fortune cookies? Well, as Brittany is "navigating" the directions on her iphone maps, we rounded the wrong block (in the opposite direction) and found our way. We walked up and down hill after hill. Mainly downhill. My back was hurting at the time and was only getting worse walking downhill, so I was getting mad lol. It was mainly because my back was flaring up and there was nothing I could do about it. Eventually we got to China Town. We were SOOOO OUT OF PLACE down there. I think we were the only people who weren't Chinese downtown. Then to get to the fortune cookie store, we had to walk down a sketchy looking alleyway. But ultimately, we got our freshly made fortune cookies! :)
We walked China Town for at least 3 hours. Bought some small gifts to take back, and ate some Pho before our TREACHEROUS walk back to the hotel room. This was absolutely miserable for me and it was getting dark outside really quickly, and... our phones were dying. 15% of battery life means absolutely NOTHING to our phones apparently, but we managed the uphill hike which took up an hour and a half versus our 30 minute walk there. A block away from the hotel we stopped by a little Bar where we bought some beer (which I never drink) or didn't at the time. It was really relaxing after that walk back.
[Above Photo] Pho
[Above Photo] San Francisco Bridge
[Above Photo] China Town - San Fran
[Above Photo] Nothing like a road trip with your Bestie :)
[Above Photo] On our walk in San Fran
The next day we went to Pier 39 and Alcatraz. We got to the Pier early enough that the stores were still closed. We walked the Pier before our boat ride to Alcatraz. I guess the boats were all booked up that day, so luckily Brittany bought them ahead of time before our trip. Smart thinking on her part!
The boat was solar powered by these panels on the top of the boats which was pretty neat to say the least! The ride took about 15 mins, then we unloaded from the boat and we decided to not do the tour and walk around on our own. We got to watch a documentary about the Prison and how families of the officers actually lived on the island and about Alcapone. It was so neat to get to look around the Prison and learn some of the history :)
[Above Pic] Brittany & I in one of the halls in Alcatraz
[Above Photo] Panorama View of the top of Alcatraz
[Above] Us coming into Alcatraz by boat
[Above Photo] Brittany in Santa Cruz on our walk back to hotel
On our drive back fro Cali, we stopped at Subway to grab lunch. When I stepped out of Subway, my Gastroc's (Calves) almost gave out on me from so much walking and from sitting in the car so much! They started the day after our China Town adventure and were like that for a few days.
SIDE NOTE:
During most of that walk I tried keeping up with my anatomy - talking about my legs muscles, and Brittany thought it was hilarious. (China Town) :)
The weather was so nice on the way back - Brittany put down the top of her Mustang basically for the entire drive. I hate driving with the top down but Brittany loves it lol. Not my car, and I didn't drive, so I couldn't really complain. The ride back was definitely more bearable and we were more awake.
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