Getting to San Fran was a huge stepping stone….one we were apprehensive and excited about. Once we got there we realized how fast we re-acclimated to the hustle and bustle of the big city. Everything you want and need is right there….my favorite was CA Trader Joe’s….they seem bigger and better stocked than the WA stores:-) We stayed at a dock for 3 days to drop off crew, clean and just chill. Then off we went to explore the anchorages in Frisco. The hard part was deciding when to leave. It was so nice and sunny and had beautiful sailing in the bay. But on Wed. the 4th of September we ripped off the band-aid and took off under the Golden Gate Bridge…which we could actually see this time. We shared our exit with 3 ginormous freighters=-O
Rush hour Golden Gate style.
We only did a short jump that day, 28 miles to Half Moon Bay where we met up with some people we met in Newport…S/V Ohana. We ate at the most scenic Taco Bell ever! It was right on the beach…it even had a walk up window for the sandy, wet surfers to order at. Half Moon Bay was a cool little surf town with amazing beaches. It was nice to be out of the city again. We stayed a few days looking for used surf boards and checking out the sites. On Fri. we hauled up anchor and made a 65 mile jump to Monterey.
I don’t know why, but I have always wanted to go to Monterey….probably something I saw in a movie or TV show. The trip took us all day and we arrived just as the sun was setting. We dropped the hook in a slightly rolly anchorage and took in the sunset and lights of the town….then ate what I thought was the best spaghetti ever (but was probably very mediocre) and crashed…somehow sailing all day takes it out of ya.
The next morning we went to check out the town. Monterey is very awesome. It is surrounded by beaches and there is a dive (scuba) sight that we are going to check out tomorrow. A long bike/walk way meanders along the waterfront for miles. Apparently there is an aquarium just outside of town that should not be missed. The sun has been blazing’ and the temps. are in the 80’s….ahhh warmth:-)
Overall Monterey has been a blast. We will probably stay here another day or two and then start making bigger jumps to get to the Chanel Islands. Here are some photos of the loud, but friendly locals.
Lazy locals hang out under the fish dock…loud stinky and rowdy…but very entertaining
Don’t know if this guy is a rebel or an outcast…but he let u know what was up as u go by on your dinghy