In keeping with the theme from last week of fall festivals..this weeks Trip of the Week takes us 80 miles east of Los Angeles to the Apple Harvest of Oak Glen.

It may not be common knowledge that Southern California has an apple-producing region, but for those in the know, Oak Glen is a great road trip destination. Nestled high above the desert floor in a beautiful valley eighty miles east of Los Angeles are apple orchards planted over a century ago. Oak Glen is situated midway between Palm Springs and Big Bear. The elevation is about 5,000 feet and is ideal for the cultivation of apples.

Oak Glen welcomes tourists year-round with craft shops, restaurants, and fruit stands. Apple blossom time in spring is a magical time to visit, but "high season" is autumn, when visitors can choose from sixty varieties of apples in addition to pears, berries, and other fruits. For a hands-on experience, you can even pick your own.

Oak Glen, California, is a small apple growing community situated between the San Bernardino and Little San Bernardino Mountains. The area has been growing apples and other crops for over 150 years, however the Native Americans have benefitted from the bounty of acorns and fresh mountain streams for a thousand years. The Cauhilla and Serano Tribes harvested acorns and leached them in the streams to draw out the tannins.

Though the surrounding area has grown exponentially, Oak Glen remains largely unchanged and quite rural. Several of the original ranches are still in operation and apple season is still the biggest draw in the area. Oak Glen is home to many antique varieties of apples that are no longer commercially produced. This area is also home to some of the last operational cider mills in Southern California, producing unpasteurized and unfiltered raw apple cider.

In the past Oak Glen grew apples mainly for export, however in the 1940s several ranches began selling at roadside stands directly to the consumer. In recent years the export trade has all but disappeared and the apple season has become a time for families to visit and get their fruit directly from the growers.

Several of the ranches and orchards have been in operation since the 1860’s and 1870’s and tend apple trees that have been growing for over 100 years! Aside from apples, apple dishes, picking apples there are other things to do in the mountain community.

Throughout the glen one finds a common theme of historical preservation, from the ever present antiques and traditional costumes to elaborate reenactments of historical periods. It is possible in one day to catch a fish, milk a goat, watch a pig race, see a marionette show and many folk music artists, pick whatever crop is currently in season, and (in season) make your own cider all the way from a bushel of apples to the gallon jug.
Although tourism has undoubtedly become a permanent factor in the Oak Glen economy, commercialism has not spoiled the flavor of the glen.

As one gradually gains altitude along the two lane road from Yucaipa that twines about the ranches, one occasionally passes a horse drawn carriage or a tractor tending the fields. You will pass numerous orchards and ranches, each one unique and making and interesting stop.

Before leaving the glen's east side and continuing onward to Beaumont, one passes the two Riley ranches, Riley's Farm and Riley's Log Cabin. Each of these ranches, in a friendly rivalry between two brothers, besides offering berry, apple, and pumpkin picking during their respective seasons, has a general store. They also offer historical reenactments: Revolutionary War Field Trips, Civil War Field Trips, California History Tours, and Wild West Picnics. Acres of pumpkin patch stretch up the hill from Riley's Farm in October and November for visitors to pick from. Special events include quilting shows and demonstrations, and barn dances. Also along this area is another landmark orchard Los Rios Rancho, which has been owned and operated by the Rivers family since 1906. Enjoy fresh cider and pie in the bakery, then head down the hill to the tasting room for a sample of locally made wine. The ranch is also home to restored historic buildings, and there are a number of hiking trails. These trails begin by some of the historic building including a one-room schoolhouse museum which is free to visitors.

So if you are in the Los Angeles Area in the fall time and looking for a nice day trip on a “Road less traveled” and step back in time, Oak Glen is a wonderful destination to capture the feeling of a time long gone and the fall harvest season.

I’ve been to San Diego more than any other city outside of Los Angeles over the years. I’ve always had a fondness for San Diego and is probably one of my favorite cities in California. Thereis always so much to see and do there and the city just has a really good vibe. Of course one of the big tourist destinations down there is the San Diego Zoo which I have been to. This week, I actually had a business conference to attend in San Diego but decided to do a little “off the beaten path” while I was down there and visited four destinations on this trip! I’m sure that there will be future postings of the many things in San Diego to see and do.

Driving in to town I stopped at Little Italy. Little Italy's throughout the United States have symbolized the tremendous contributions Italians have made to this country. Unfortunately, many of these historically established business districts are disappearing before our eyes. These Little Italy's are either declining due to growth of other adjacent ethnic neighborhoods or are a shadow of their former glory due to the dispersion of Italian families from these districts.

Little Italy in San Diego is different. A stable ethnic business and residential community since the 1920's, Little Italy today represents Downtown San Diego’s oldest continuous neighborhood business district. At one time, more than 6,000 Italian families lived in Little Italy and toiled to build San Diego into the center of the world tuna industry.

With the decline of the tuna industry on the West Coast and the destruction of 35% of Little Italy due to the construction of Interstate 5, Little Italy suffered nearly thirty years of decline. In the early 1990's, established property owners and family run business owners decided to take their fate into their own hands.

Today San Diego’s Little Italy is on the brink of rebuilding its greatness. New Italian American and non-Italian business owners alike are seeking retail and professional space. Creative builders and architects are building beautiful new developments and the local redevelopment agency is funding more than three million in street improvements on the main commercial corridor, India street. The Little Italy Association has aggressive plans to bring the story of Little Italy to its visitors through public art displays. Little Italy, San Diego is serving as a model for the handful of Little Italys remaining throughout the country.

I toured around the main drag of India street visiting some of the shops, art studios and cafés and ended my tour at Philippis Pizza Grotto a “landmark” in the neighborhood.

Vincent and Madeleine De Philippis brought their version of the American Dream. Both came to America in 1922. Vincent from Italy, Madeleine from France. They met in New York, fell in love, married in 1925 and soon settled in Philadelphia. In 1950 they moved to San Diego. Here they open a deli grocery on India Street - "Filippi's cash and carry," the cornerstone of the future successful family restaurants. Today it is still a family operation - with their seven children and even their grandchildren taking an active role in the business. The ambiance and décor made me feel like I was in Italy once again while the Pizza I ordered “The Special” was delicious with lots of cheese and meat!

The following day my destinations was the Waterfront or Embarcadero District. San Diego is a city of different flavors and topography. But it is, first and foremost, a waterfront city. And what better way to take in the essence of the city than to take a walking tour of the downtown waterfront. The skyline, saltwater, gentle breeze and colorful sights all lend to a leisurely and interesting walk along the central part of San Diego Bay.

I began my self-guided walking tour at the foot of Broadway, at the Broadway Pier. A pay parking lot is located a block away, as well as numerous coin meter spaces along Harbor Drive. For those taking public transit, the San Diego Trolley stops at the Santa Fe Railroad Station a couple of blocks away. For those staying in downtown hotels, the Broadway Pier is a short walk away.

The first thing I noticed is the pier itself, which is often used for special events and where visiting ships often dock. Also located at the pier are several points of departures for the various Harbor Excursion tours as well as the passenger ferry to Coronado across the bay.

Walking north past the harbor tours, I approached the Cruise Ship Terminal, where the massive international cruise ships make their ports o' call to San Diego. I wanted to check this out as my next cruise in January will be leaving from this port and I have never embarked from this port.

Just north of the Cruise Ship Terminal is the majestic Star of India, an historic, tall-masted iron ship which dates back to 1863. This national historic landmark is the world's oldest ship still seaworthy, and makes a sea journey at least once a year. In this area of the Embarcadero are the three other ships which comprise the San Diego Maritime Museum: the Berkeley, a Victorian-era ferryboat; the Medea, a 1904 steam yacht; and the Pilot, a 1914 guide boat. A nominal admission fee is required to board the boats.

At this point, if you look across the bay, you'll see the North Island Naval Air Station, where the U.S. Navy ports its large aircraft carriers and fighter jets. Looking back across Harbor Drive, you'll see the historic County Administration Building. You'll also notice pleasure craft sailing on the bay.

As you walk south from Broadway Pier, you'll approach Navy Pier, where Navy ships often dock and conduct free tours for the public. Navy Pier is also the new museum home of the aircraft carrier, Midway. As you continue walking, you'll pass several Navy buildings.

Continue on and you'll approach several small green spaces, as well as the popular Fish Market Restaurant. You might want to take a short break and grab a drink and snack and enjoy the scenic view. Although no longer, this area of the waterfront not long ago used to be the home of one of the largest tuna fleets in the world. Most commercial ships are gone, but you can still feel the aura of the old fishermen.

Heading farther south, you'll head towards Seaport Village, a popular shopping and dining complex on the waterfront. Here you can browse the dozens of shops, take a ride on the carousel, or just watch the people around you. Seaport Village is also a perfect spot to grab a relaxing meal from a number of fine restaurants and food stands.

Seaport Village is built on landfill over Punta de los Muertos (Point of the Dead) where the Spanish expedition of 1782 buried those who had died of scurvy. In later years it was a railroad yard where goods and other products were unloaded from ships and loaded aboard trains for shipment east. Seaport Village broke ground in 1978 and opened in 1980.

After browsing around the numerous shops of Seaport village I headed to the adjacent Embarcadero Marina Park where you can enjoy the open green space, views of Coronado across the bay and the yacht marina of the neighboring Hyatt and Marriott towers. Just a short walk past the two hotels is the San Diego Convention Center, with its distinctive "sail" rooftop. Since I was here on a business conference this was my primary destination for the day.

After my day’s activities at the convention center I walked over to the historical Gaslamp Quarter. I had visited it before but never got to spend adequate time there. It is a hustling and bustling area primarily along Fifth Avenue.

The Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego-Center is a major reason that tourists flock to San Diego.  The 16.5 block neighborhood is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and contains 94 structures that are historically and architecturally significant. The district now houses over 70 restaurants and nightclubs as well as movie theaters, shops, offices, galleries, apartments and lofts.  There are over 350 businesses in the Quarter.

The area has had many names over the years--Rabbitville, Flea Town, New Town San Diego, Davis Folly, Stingaree, Chinatown and SOB (South of Broadway).  Alonzo Horton built a wharf at the foot of Fifth Avenue and promoted the area as the business district for his new town. The district's fortunes rose and fell according to San Diego's prosperity.  It's reputation as an unsavory, lawless red-light was well-earned during several periods of its history.  Ultimately though the area just slid into disrepair and decay.

As bad as that was for San Diego at the time, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.  With no money available to redo the buildings, a number of beautiful Victorian commercial buildings survived intact.  In 1982, the area became a major redevelopment project for the City of San Diego.  Developers and restoration experts were encouraged to purchase and redevelop these buildings for reuse as restaurants, galleries, offices, lofts and apartments.  The old-fashioned gaslamps have been restored and wide brick sidewalks encourage  strolling and sidewalk dining.

Many of the buildings in the Gaslamp are over a 100 years old and styles include Classical Revival, Spanish Renaissance Revival, Modern, Oriental, Spanish, Baroque and Italian Baroque Revival styles.  The eclectic mix of styles makes the streetscape a delight for the eye especially for the viewer who remembers to look up.  The details include stained glass windows, corbels, moldings, carvings, railings and more, much of it painted bright colors, Architects include such notables as Irving Gill, the Reid Brothers (Hotel Dell Coronado) and William Templeton Johnson.

The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation is "curator" of the Gaslamp Quarter and works to promote and preserve the historical integrity of the district. The Foundation offers walking tours of the district each Saturday and other educational programs that raise community awareness of the uniqueness of the Quarter.  The Foundation uses the historic William Heath Davis House as its headquarters.  The house is the oldest wooden structure standing in San Diego, and it has never been modified or electrified.  The house is open for guided tours.

Today the GasLamp Quarter is a successful redevelopment project that attracts tourists and locals to its cafes, nightlife and unique shopping.  The area hosts a Mardi Gras celebration that is beginning to rival New Orleans and Street Scene, one of the biggest live-music festivals in California.

After my conference it was time to head back up to Los Angeles. On the way home I stopped at Old Town San Diego which admittedly I have been to numerous times before but with my love of history and architecture is one of my favorite spots in San Diego.

Old Town San Diego is considered the "birthplace" of California. San Diego is the site of the first permanent Spanish settlement in California. It was here in 1769, that Father Junipero Serra came to establish the very first mission in a chain of 21 missions that were to be the cornerstone of California’s colonization. Father Serra’s mission and Presidio were built on a hillside overlooking what is currently known as Old Town San Diego. At the base of the hill in 1820’s, a small Mexican community of adobe buildings was formed and by 1835 had attained the status of El Pueblo de San Diego. In 1846, a U.S. Navy Lieutenant and a Marine Lieutenant, raised the American flag in the Old Town San Diego Plaza.

In 1968, the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation established Old Town State Historic Park to preserve the rich heritage that characterized San Diego during the 1821 to 1872 period. The park includes a main plaza, exhibits, museums and living history demonstrations.

Historic buildings include La Casa de Estudillo, La Casa de Bandini, La Casa de Altamirno Pedrorena and the Mason Street School, San Diego’s first one room schoolhouse. Just up the hill from Old Town San Diego Historic State Park, you’ll find Heritage Park where several of San Diego’s most notable Victorian homes have been relocated and authentically restored to their original splendor. Just a short walk down San Diego Avenue is the Whaley House, an officially designated haunted house, the Little Adobe Chapel on Conde Street, the first Church in Old Town San Diego and El Campo Santo on San Diego Avenue, a 1850 Catholic Cemetery.

The Old Town District occupies nine square blocks and preserves many historic structures including five built of adobe (mud) bricks. Other buildings include California's first schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, the state's first newspaper office and a stable. These preserved buildings, each a small museum in itself, give a glimpse of life here from 1821 to 1872.

Interspersed between museum buildings, you'll find shops, with emphasis on Mexican-style pottery, tinwork and the like. There are plenty of restaurants and modern stores such as book stores, art galleries, and novelty shops interspersed as well. As always I enjoyed my stroll not only through the stores but through the historic architecture and am sure I will visit yet again in the near future.

So even though this was primarily a business trip I made sure to squeeze in some historical and tourist time and insured another great trip to San Diego, one of many trip to come.

Hi!  I know most of you don't believe this...but I've never been to San Francisco!!  After 38 years of growing up in California...I finally made it.  In addition, since the fourth grade (the year when we Californians study the history of the California Missions) I've wanted to visit all 21 of the California Missions and with this trip...I completed my task...I've now visited every single one of the California Missions on the El Camino Real!

Day 1-Luckily the night before I studied the map. For some reason I just thought you drove up Highway 101 to get to San Francisco! Which does work but can be a 7 to 8 hour drive. Unfortunately, the alternative but faster route is Interstate 5 which is a god awful boring drive. But it cuts the drive time down to about 5 ½ hours. We left at 5 out of Los Angeles and made the tedious drive up I-5 with a stop in Coalinga for gas. Our first stop was Mission San Jose which is actually in Fremont! We toured the mission grounds and then proceeded around the south bay to San Jose which I learned is the third largest city in California after Los Angeles and San Diego which surprised me. We went on a driving tour of downtown and historic San Jose and stopped to have picnic lunch at Kelly Park/Historic Park. I can’t really give San Jose much justice as I was only there for about an hour. The next stop was Santa Clara Mission in Santa Clara which is actually on Santa Clara University grounds. The original mission building is long gone but a replica has been built on the spot. From there we continued up 101 to South San Francisco where we arrived about 3 pm. I was exhausted driving nearly 500 miles with only 4 hours sleep and getting up at 3 am! We stayed in South San Francisco because hotel/motel prices are outrageous in San Francisco and often it doesn’t even include parking. This place included parking for only $45 a night and the room had a microwave, fridge, and coffee maker which helps on saving money with food and not eating out every meal. I was pretty exhausted and ran to the grocery store, stocked up on food, and just watched TV.

Day 2-After a good nights sleep, the day started with adventures into San Francisco. I had found on the Internet a 49-mile scenic drive around the city which stopped at numerous places and the drive began in 1938 and is clearly marked along the streets and highways of San Francisco. The first stop was the Civic Center. I was impressed with the County Building…it looked like a state capitol. Also in that general area were the opera house, theater, and several museums. The next stop was through Cathedral Hill and into Japan town where I went to the Japan town Peace Plaza. The next stop was the city center of Union Square with all the high-end fashion stores…Macy, Saks, etc. It was here that the traffic and the pedestrians tested my patience. You need nerves of steel to drive around downtown as there is a lot of traffic, pedestrians and public transportation coming from all directions and the streets often go one way, then another, and there are bus lanes, and trolley lanes. I grew up in LA so I thought I could drive in any type of traffic but I have to admit, San Francisco tested me severely! Walking and Public transport are the best ways to see the city. After Union Square we drove through China Town, past Coit Tower, and down to the Pier and Fisherman’s Wharf. Here we spent a lot of time…walking around the shops of Pier 39, visiting the Sea Lions, and looking through the trinket shops of Fisherman’s Wharf. We continued up to the Cannery and Marine State Park and eventually Ghiradelli Square (but alas, I didn’t get any chocolate). We then had a wonderful lunch at Lou’s Pier 41 with Crab Cakes and Clam Chowder. After filling up we continued on the 49-mile scenic drive to Fort Point for an excellent view of the Golden Gate Bridge! Then it was off to the Palace of Fine Arts which the architecture was stunning. The drive then went through the Presidio, over to Sea Cliff, down the coast to the SF Zoo. Then a drive through Golden Gate Park and then a detour to Fell Street to see where my mom lived when she first moved to California in 1958 from Chicago. I then had to visit Haight Ashbury. I could have spent more time there with all of the wonderful shops and culture there. By then the sun was setting and we had only gotten half way through the 49-mile tour! We returned to our room and had dinner and prepared for another day of adventure!

Day 3-Rather than go back to the city, we took a detour and traveled some “roads less traveled”. We drove up to Pacifica and then down the coast on Hwy 1 passing through Devils Slide area where the ground shifts and crumbles regularly. Driving through there I kept thinking “please don’t let San Andreas slip now!”. We then continued to Half Moon Bay and passed several other beach side communities and state beaches. Beautiful drive! After about 1 ½ hours of driving south we reached Santa Cruz. Our first stop in Santa Cruz was the Boardwalk which is now celebrating 100 years! I didn’t go on any rides but it was nice to see and I did partake in the food especially Deep Fried Cheesecake! There was live entertainment on the beach and it was fun to people watch. We then headed over to Santa Cruz State Historic Park which contained yet another mission…Mission Santa Cruz. Unfortunately, we were a week early as next weekend they were having their mission days. It was a tranquil mission and the adobe walls still had cracks from the 1989 Earthquake. After the mission I drove north on Highway 9 which was labeled a scenic drive and it was! About an hour north of Santa Cruz was the Big Basin Redwood State Park founded in 1902 and was the first State Park in California. Some of the Redwoods there are 1500 years old. We did a short hike on the Redwood Loop and had a picnic lunch. After, we began heading back to the City on Highway 9. It was a beautiful drive through the forest and the hills but a bit winding in parts. Part of the drive was Skyline drive which was incredible driving along the crest of the mountains and on one side you could see the pacific ocean and on the other side see the bay and cities like Redwood City, Palo Alto, San Mateo! Highly recommend this drive. Again the sun began to set and microwave dinners awaited us!

Day 4-If you thought the other days were jammed pack, this day was probably about the heaviest! We left South San Francisco and headed north and I finally got to cross the Golden Gate Bridge. I guess it’s not that big a deal to cross a bridge but it’s one of those “romanticized things in my head” that I’ve always wanted to do! We entered the North Bay area and our first stop was San Rafael to see…you guessed it..a mission. San Rafael Mission is the second most northern mission. After a brief look at the mission we continued over to Sonoma which was far better than I expected. Downtown Sonoma is a state park containing great architecture, historical sites, and ambiance of old California surrounded by 100’s of vineyards. We first went to Mission San Francisco Solano in Sonoma which was the most northern Mission “The end of the Mission Trail”. I had now seen 20 of the 21 missions. We visited Vallejo’s adobe house, the old city hall, and the site of the Bear Flag Revolt from 1846 where California was it’s own republic for about a month before it became a US Territory. I did not know it was in Sonoma that this happened. After going on the self guided walking tour of Sonoma, we continued through wine country to Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, and then a scenic drive along the Russian River until it emptied into the Pacific ocean at Jenner. I then continued north up Hwy 1 for 14 miles which took forever, it was a winding, steep road, but I wanted to Visit Fort Ross which I studied in Grammar School. Fort Ross was a fort built by the Russians in 1812. California has a such a rich history with Native History, the arrival of the Spaniards, The English, The Russians, then a Mexico territory, an American Territory, The gold Rush, the migrants from the Depression. State Park Fort Ross was beautiful overlooking the cliffs and you can even eat your picnic lunch in the officer’s barracks which we did. We then toured the fort, watched a documentary movie and then headed back down Hwy 1 to San Francisco. Everyone talks about the drive through Big Sur which I agree is beautiful but I felt this drive rivaled that. The cliffs, the ocean, the scenery. We drove through Bodega Bay and then a small town of Olema which isn’t much…but was the actual epicenter of the 1906 earthquake! Continuing through other small town and Point Reyes Light house. It was a bay and there were bars, saloon, and even homes built on piers and stilts! We then drove by Muir Woods
State Park, and finally into Sausalito and back over the Golden Gate Bridge (with a $5 toll going south!). That night we were so tired we treated ourselves to going out to dinner!

Day 5-Today was the return to San Francisco to see what we didn’t see on Friday. The first stop was the last of the mission…Mission Delores. It was a wonderful mission and next to it was the Cathedral of St. Franics. The ironic thing is that the mission survived the 1906 quake but the Cathedral did not! It was a wonderful feeling to complete seeing all the missions but also left with a little feeling of let down…like…”Ok…now what?”. After visiting the mission we drove up to Twin Peak for a stunning view of the city and the bay. There were about 100 other people up there as well. We then went to the Castro Area where I walked around a bit and saw the Harvey Milk Memorial Plaza (Harvey Milk was the first openly gay city supervisor who was assassinated in 1978) The murderer was convicted only of voluntary manslaughter due to the Twinkie Defense and The White Night Riots occurred by gay/lesbian protestors. After visiting this area we continued over to Lombard Street, as I wanted to drive down the “crookedest street” in the world which was a hoot! Finally, went to China Town where parking was virtually impossible but the gods smiled down and a place opened up on the street (after driving around for 30 minutes). We walked around, ate some Dim Sum, and had a great time. We were there for several hours but I could have easily spent the whole day! After this I completed the rest of the 49-mile scenic drive down Market Street through South Market Area (Soma), the financial District, Embarcadero, North Beach, and finally back into town. On the way back, I stopped in Colma, California just south of San Francisco. The odd thing is that San Francisco has no cemeteries (well, 2---the mission and military cemetery at the presidio). Back in the early 1900’s…all the cemeteries were moved out of town and the graves were moved all to Colma. Colma has literally several different cemeteries (Chinese, Catholic, Jewish, Protestant, etc) containing over 1.5 million graves. There are more dead people in Colma than living! So it was interesting to see….if you have time…google Colma Cemeteries for some interesting articles. Some of the more famous people buried there are Ishi, Wyatt Earp, and several of the early California Governors.

Day 6-The final full day! We left this morning and again headed north across the Golden Gate Bridge. Our first stop was the Marin Headland Recreational Area which had numerous relics and building left over from World War II to protect the bay against Japanese Invasion. We then went to Sausalito and drove over the Richmond Bridge into Richmond. We attempted to find the Rosie the Riveter National Park but I absolutely could not find it and gave up. We then continued up to and through Vallejo to Benecia (a little known jewel). California had four capitols…First was San Jose, thenVallejo, then Benecia,  and finally Sacramento. Benecia also has the distinction of being the first city founded in U.S. California by Anglo-Americans as opposed to Spanish towns or territorial forts and outposts. Benecia has a historic downtown walking tour which was very interesting. Aside from the old Capitol building of 1852 there was the site of the first Protestant Church in California, the old haunts of author Jack London who worked and drank in Benecia, several old building, and the Camel Barn Museum which housed camels that the infantry used in the 1860’s for desert exploration. We had a picnic in the center park. We then continued across the bridge to Martinez to see the Muir House National Monument which was unfortunately closed on Mondays and Tuesday. We drove around downtown historic Martinez which incidentally was the birthplace of baseball great and husband of Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio. Also outside of Martinez is the Port Chicago National Memorial where there were heavy casualties during World War II from an explosion of bombs and weapons. However, the National Memorial is on an active military base and you have to make arrangements prior to showing up. We then continued south on the east bay to Danville which has Mount Diablo and the Eugene O’Neill House. We then headed back to Berkeley/Oakland then across the Bay Bridge (which part of collapsed in the 1989 earthquake). Now I grew up in Los Angeles and have had my share of earthquakes and I’ve never gotten use to them. In fact, I’ve got a borderline phobia about them and the thought that the bay area is on a fault haunted me the whole week…especially crossing all those bridges. Los Angeles is about 100 miles away from San Andreas Fault (the biggie). It would still do damage. But the bay area is built right smack on top of the fault which just unnerved me the whole time.

Day 7-At last, all good things must come to an end. In spite of what everyone says about fog and drizzle and clouds and cold and rain….it was 70 and sunny the whole time were there and the vibe of the city is great with very friendly, open minded, liberal people. In fact, while were there San Francisco implemented a health care system for all residents of the city. San Francisco is always a bit ahead of things. We left about 7:30 and it took us 5 ½ hours to get home and again was blessed as I hit no traffic leaving the bay area and no traffic coming back in to LA. So this concludes the Fall 2007 Road Trip….I’m already making plans for the Spring and Fall 2008 Road Trips but need to focus on the upcoming South East Asia Trip.