We set out for our road trip around San Francisco. We spent our first day driving up the newly-opened Pacific Highway through Big Sur. We had wanted to share this drive with the kids since we had moved to Southern California, but it closed soon after we moved due to storm damage. We started with some geocaching and a stop to see the elephant seals again.
The views along the drive are breath-taking.
Bridge views
Stop at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to see McWay Falls
Then we stopped at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park for a hike in the redwoods to a waterfall. It was a lovely hike, and the kids first time in awe of the height of the redwoods.
We made so many stops and soaked in the beauty of the Pacific Coast.
Silliness the next morning doing pull-ups on the luggage rack.
After finishing our drive on the PCH, we entered into San Francisco and headed for the Rosie the Riveter NHS.
The best part of the site was that we arrived to hear part of a real "Rosie" share part of her story. She was 100 years old and had been a welder on a destroyer during WW2 and moved to Alaska for work later on. It was amazing hearing her story and other stories about women working in the shipyards.
After we heard her story, we went through the museum, working on their Junior Ranger books. We enjoyed the views of the water around the site. Then we drove to visit the SS Red Oak Victory, but we found it closed for the day.
Stopping to see the Rosie the Riveter Memorial. It consisted of a walkway that is as long as a ship's keel covered with timelines and quotes from different women.
We drove a bit that evening to set ourselves up for the next day's adventures. We started Saturday morning at the Jelly Belly Factory for a tour. It wasn't operating since it was a holiday weekend, but we were still able to go through the self-guided parts and watch all the informational videos.
These kids have loading/unloading the van down to a routine.
Patrick had researched lunch places on our afternoon drive; this burger stop was amazing!
We spent the afternoon at the Charles Shultz Museum, learning all about Charles Shultz himself. The museum was full of comics and a theatre that played many Peanuts movies we had not seen before. We learned he was called "Sparky" and loved the ice rink he built as much as he did being an artist.
We spent Easter Sunday driving up the Pacific Coast Highway north along the Russian River. It was a glorious drive full of amazing views (and a lot of hairpin turns!) After following the Russian River for miles, we stopped where it entered the Pacific Ocean to take photos.
Our morning was spent at Fort Ross State Historic Park. We heard about Fort Ross last summer when we were in Alaska; we learned that there was a Russian settlement in California to grow wheat for the Alaskan soldiers who were not content with the Alaskan food. This was news to us so Patrick set out to take us to the remains of the Russian colony. The fort was in an amazing location. We learned that its demise was largely due to gophers! They ruined much of the wheat production in the area.
Russian Orthodox church that still has ceremonial services.
View of the bay area next to the fort
Patrick, Austin, & Colleen hiked down into the bay area.
Remains of a windmill
On our drive back south, we stopped for more views of the ocean and discovered a group of seals.
To continue our Easter Sunday soaking in God's creation, we spent the afternoon at Muir Woods National Monument. The coast redwoods never disappoint. The tallest tree in this park is over 258ft. We did the main 2mi loop trail with a little jaunt off onto a side trail.
Banana slug!
It was a phenomenal day. Truly all creation - from the ocean coast to the canyons of trees - sings His praises.
We started Monday by entering into San Francisco and stopping at the Golden Gate Bridge.
Colleen asked if she could touch the bridge so we walked over to it. She had SO much joy in being on the bridge.
We went through the park exhibits and then hiked down to Fort Point.
Stopping to watch sea otters
We toured Fort Point, learning all about its history from the Civil War until now. The park rangers were super friendly with the kids' questions.
It was incredibly windy as we went to the top of the Fort.
We drove across San Francisco Bay to the USS Hornet. It is the newest of the 5 aircraft carrier museums in the US. One of its claims to fame is that it recovered the Apollo 11 and 12 astronauts after their return flights. The docents were incredibly friendly and excited to share their knowledge with the kids.
Since the Hornet is newer, it did not have many aircraft on its deck yet.
But Colleen made us laugh because every time we looked, she was in the Shooter position. She was having a great time.
We split up for two tours. Amelia wanted to do the "daily life" tour while Austin and Colleen wanted to take the "weapons" tour. Both tours took us by the brig.
We have been having a blast in our "WW2 era" of adventures.
Our last day in San Francisco was Colleen's Birthday! It happened to be a free admission day to the deYoung museum so we started off our morning looking for art that Colleen had studied. Finding artists we know is a thrill.
Mary Cassatt & Frank Lloyd Wright
Wayne Thiebald
Louise Nevelson
Edward Hopper
Their favorite - Georgia O'Keefe
After going through the galleries, we headed up Observation Tower to look around at the surrounding grounds of Golden Gate Park
Then we went down and had our picnic in the Music Concourse. Some musicians set up right next to our bench and started playing.
Wandering around the Shakespeare Gardens and other musuem grounds looking for geocaches.
We had some time before her birthday surprise so Colleen decided that she wanted to make an impromptu visit to the San Francisco Maritime NHS. The kids learned all about the maritime history of San Francisco; there was also a ranger demonstration on rope making and knot tying.
Once they finished their junior ranger programs, we trekked down to Fisherman's Wharf.
Watching the sea lions while we wait for our boarding time.
In weeks prior when we asked Colleen what she wanted to do for her 10th birthday, she answered "an adventure." We spent a lot of time brainstorming ideas to make it special on our trip, but we struggled to come up with something novel. She has done so many cool things already. Amelia went to a bird lecture with some Santa Barbara friends the week prior to our trip. She had shared with the family some of our road trip plans. The dad manages a catamaran sailing company in San Francisco, and he offered to get our family tickets for an afternoon sailing around San Francisco Bay, next to Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate Bridge. It was the perfect, unique adventure to celebrate Colleen's birthday.
Setting off
Alcatraz
Approaching the Golden Gate Bridge from underneath
There were kite surfers everywhere under the bridge. It's so windy that it's the perfect spot for them. And they like to show off for tours.
The return trip back to the wharf was much calmer.
On a Tuesday afternoon, there were only 12 guests total. The crew knew it was Colleen's birthday so they gave her free hot chocolate and invited her to sail the catamaran.
The captain coached her in multiple silly poses.
Then Austin and Amelia were given turns.
After our amazing adventure, Colleen requested sushi for her birthday dinner. Amelia mentioned that we had passed by a conveyor belt sushi restaurant. Intrigued by the novelty, we stopped and ate there. It was a fun experience.
They even had a race car robot that brought custom-ordered food to your table.
Happy 10th Birthday, Colleen! We loved celebrating you with new experiences and adventures over the last week. You bring so much joy to our family.
