Seems it does burn up on average every ten years. Insurance companies must love that deal

We did enjoy the wharf of not the restaurant we ate in on the Wharf....Barf!

Caught the Xmas boat parade and saw the nutty locals

Now in SF for our last day

That certainly sounds like a firefigher speaking.

Stearns wharf and the several wine tasting rooms are indeed still there, as well as several nice restaurants. Restaurantwise, I recommend Brophy Brothers' in the center of the harbor about 1/2 mile from the wharf. Great views, excellent waitstaff, good food and modest prices.

The wharf catches fire every 10 years on average. I fought my 1st major fire on the wharf in early 1970, again in the '80's, and it was my last major fire in the late '90's at the end of my fire department career. One hundred year-old creosote-soaked timber, saltwater, constant movement from the surf and corroded electrical conducts, plus the occasional carelessly discarded cigarette make fire a certainty.

If the wharf doesn't happen to be on fire at the time of your visit, it makes a lovely place to watch the hills behind Santa Barbara burn.

If you are still in SB, go to the wine tasting place on Stearns Wharf upstairs, watch the sun set with a bottle of wine, bread and cheese.

Great place if it is still there, lot of fun places along the central coast!

Terry

Just came back from a conference in Monterey

 

Thanks Jeff

Oregon, Now that would be cool :-)

Currently in Santa Barbara. Quite a nice place to hang for a few days. Nice to see some old iron when you go into the local neighbourhoods. Not seen a mini yet but plenty of 6s-70s stuff.

Off to St Louis Opispo next then Carmel.

Cheers. Peter

Nice glad you beat the snow and hopefully missed the crazy busy season. I remember going to yosemite at about 10 years old in the middle of summer and not seeing many other people we saw bears that was cool. I hear its a zoo in the summer now but still worth going. Those big trees are something I'm always amazed every time we go see them somewhere.

If I still lived down that way and you had time I could take you around to some stuff just as good in its own way as yosemite that's off the beaten path I don't really no how to explain how to get to these places I just know I used to know the foothills and parts of north ca like the back of my hand grew up there. There is lots of neat gold rush mining stuff in and around Sonora ca my home town.

I've heard about that san fran homeless deal that sucks used to just be the few that every city has ,its a neat place if you can stand the homeless, a problem I don't have the answer too.

You coming through Oregon? I'll buy you a cold one.

Jeff

An update

Currently in Yosemiti. Thankfully beat the snow as its obvious it would be difficult to get around if it snowed

Took a fantastic valley floor tour and saw many of the major sites. Drive about and saw the giant sequoias and El Capitan as well as half dome

This area is breathtaking and we are sure glad we are here

Yeah, they don't freeze up in the winter like the NYC. 

Guys. I have to say I have never seen a homeless problem like San Francisco has in my life. This coming from a guy who was in NYC hundreds of,times in the 70s-80s

The mental issues we have encountered are downright scary. I don't think either my wife or myself have felt completely safe yet. Looking forward to leaving the city

Peter

Dan. Been driving A selection

Toyota Solara Toyota RAV4 A very early Mustang convertible Cadillac XLR

Dad is nothing but eclectic.

Oh and he gave the wife a 52 MG

Ps. Did someone say SNOW!

(pssst... looks like Tony is back.)

if you are going to Yosemite national park, gosh forget it.. it was a looooong drive down between two mountains, and when you get to your destination all you see are trees and trees and more fallen trees., little streams of water here and there. you will drive along a skinny two way road, you might hit the incoming car head on if you're not alert...as soon as you reach the natl park gate, youll be welcomed by several boy scouts asking for donations, i gave 20bucks, the guy didnt even say thank you and his face becomes sour.  gosh, i mean 20 bucks is not bad right?

Bring some perfume or air freshner because almost 50% of the trip down the hill you will smell the scent of skunk. most of them got run over by cars and stinks really bad, it gets to your brain....  visiting monterey, big sur , pebble beach is a MUST... skip the yosemitee natl park.  trust me, ive been there. and it didnt quite interests me... good luck with your trip.

The real question: what are you driving - Mini or Mustang?

Cheers Peter!

Thanks guys

We are definitely going. We have hotel reservations at the falls

We are really excited. Thanks for the tips

Definitely go, just buy some thermals and bring gloves and hats.

Terry

Yosemite? You should go no matter what.

Just check out weather report and road conditions. Plenty of good times this time of year.

The YARTS bus runs all winter - check out their website

Temps in the general bay area are in the 30s(F).

I expect you will see snow in the valley through this week as snow level dropped to 2000 feet.

Terry

Hello California Folks. I am in Pa visiting my Dad and heading to Calif in a few days to travel in San Fran, Monterrey, SLO and Carmel. A few days will also be in Yosemite. Just wondering what the weather would be like in Yosemiti early December? Winter jacket it more heavy duty like ski pants and thermals? Thanks. Didn't want to pack heavy crap if not needed.

Peter