GUEST POST: SAN FRANCISCO AND AREA

Something new here at Rantin' N Raven ….. a guest post!

We were approached by Andi Singer with a request to write a post to highlight the area where she grew up and loves. Since we skipped through San Francisco we thought that some additional information about it and the surrounding towns would be an asset to all of you.

Thanks Andi! 

Market/Powell, San Francisco

Seeing the big city in an RV would be a nightmare to me. Cars pass by one another by a narrow few inches, and there are bikers and pedestrians who are less than respectful of the road laws (I have heard multiple stories from my brother of him getting hit with cars while on his bicycle.)

Luckily, the public transportation in the area is great, so if you find a spot in or near the city, you’ll be easily connected by train and bus. The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system runs through all of the big cities in the Bay Area, and many of the smaller towns as well, and will spit you out in the dead of the city-- Market Street.

Market and Powell St. meet at the Westfield Mall, a 7-story shopping mall with every upscale retail store you can imagine, and a theater. My mom and I used to go there every few weeks just to walk around and people-watch more than actually shop. 

If you head down Powell St. from there, you’ll come across two of my favorite stops in the city: Rasputin Music and Blondie’s Pizza. Blondie’s Pizza is one of my all-time favorite pizza places, and you can get cheese, pepperoni, or one of a few specialty slices on the go. 

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Rasputin is an entertainment store you’ll see throughout the bay, but this one is 5 stories of used CD’s, records, movies, and music apparel. They have a great selection of used music, and if you enjoy older or more obscure music you can walk out with 10 CD’s for less than $30. Am I dating myself by talking about CD’s? I know most people go for digital downloads, but I love having the physical copy. 

Let me also mention the flower stands there. If you are out for an afternoon with your wife, buy her flowers along the way. Just do it. There are little trolley carts selling all sorts of roses and flowers including my absolute favorite-- dyed blue roses. If you don’t want to buy your significant other flowers while you are there, buy me some and mail them to me.

Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay has always been my getaway spot. My first boyfriend introduced me to it many years ago, and I still go back whenever I have the chance. It is a relatively secluded and quiet place just off of Highway 1, north of San Francisco. Half Moon Bay is a small town, but really it’s the string of beaches down the highway that has always captured me.

These beaches are more walking spots than for swimming or water activities. There are no boat or snorkelling rentals that I’m aware of, and the water is usually chilly. Within a 10 mile drive north of the town itself you’ll come across a handful of beaches, each worth stopping to see. There is rarely more than one or two other people around, except in the dead of summer.

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You’ll find a variety of sand types ranging from larger pebbles to fine, soft sand. There are tide pools, caves, and sandy cliffs to explore, and a few lighthouses that function as hostels that you can visit. As you drive along the coast you’ll see cyclers who are venturing from San Francisco to Santa Cruz (some even as far as Los Angeles!)

If you go south of Half Moon Bay on Highway 1 all the way into San Francisco, you’ll eventually end up at Sunset Beach, which is a neighborhood beach that is also worth a stop.

Bankhead Theatre, Livermore

The Bankhead Theatre is nestled in downtown Livermore, and is a phenomenal spot for a night out. It is a 500-seat performing arts center which opened in 2007. Now I might be biased because I have performed there personally with the Las Positas Community College orchestra and Livermore-Amador Symphony, but I still think it’s a neat place. Shows play from Thursday through Sunday, and depending on the day you may walk into an opera, jazz guitar, comedy show, local performance, rockabilly, big orchestral performance, or anything else imaginable.

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The surrounding area is populated with restaurants, locally owned shops, and a movie theatre. If you’re just looking for a treat or a hot cup of coffee, Panama Red Coffee Company has a great environment to relax before the show, and the Donut-Wheel is a 24-hour donut shop where locals sometimes play open board games.

If you, like the Woods, travel by RV, there are several RV parks and camping spots not far away, and the area is generally friendly towards single-night parking in big business lots.

Downtown Pleasanton

Again, I’m biased towards Pleasanton. Okay, since I grew up in the area I guess I’m biased towards all of the locations I’m talking about. I lived in Pleasanton from the time I was 1 year old until I was 17, and I still make biannual visits back to see friends and family. 

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Downtown Pleasanton is relatively upscale, and is almost entirely comprised of small, local businesses. If you’re looking for a quick, easy bite, my favorite is NY Pizza, where you can get a single slice or a gigantic pie. You can get any toppings on the single slice because it is re-baked, which might seem less than delicious, but it is still fresh and it gives the crust an extra crisp.

If you’re looking to dress up and go out, the Blue Agave Club is a fantastic (yet pricy!) Mexican restaurant with an enormous selection of Tequilas, or Stacey’s Cafe is an upscale spot for California cuisine open for breakfast (on weekends), lunch, and dinner. The local farmer’s market also takes place downtown on Saturday mornings, so if you’re looking for a morning out in jeans and a t-shirt, it’s a great place to stock up on fresh and local produce, meats, and bread, and explore local businesses and culture.

Andi Singer is a Bay Area native who has since moved inland. She works as a writer with Indiana RV Connection to share her favorite destinations and travel tips. She is also a fighter and is looking forward to heading to Salt Lake City later in the month to compete at the Muay Thai Institute.

PIGEON POINT LIGHT STATION SHP

What with our very long coastal drive the day before, come Tuesday, we decided to take the day off. The driver was deserving of a much needed rest from behind the wheel.

And with Half Moon Bay just up the road with two breweries, we had a day to kill. 

The plan was to beach jump the day away. Here's how it turned out.

From our overnight stop at Highway 1 Brewery we could see that there was a light house just up the way - Pigeon Point. 

We weren't exactly sure if we could get to it - drive? walk? So, our first stop was at a pull out just to the south. 

Then back in the van. As we got closer we noticed a sign and drove right in. Nice - a road leads right to the light house and circles back to the highway along the coast for about a mile or two. We stopped along this road and walked back to the light house.

Just a short jaunt….

I LOVE this plant! LOVE the colours - I had to google to find out what it is. An 'ice plant' a native of South Africa brought to California in the 1900's. Invasive they say?!

Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park.

Many nice trails lead from the light station - we were sure enjoying our walk.

Even stairs down to the ocean! Yes - I am always last!

Then we walked back to the van via the beach on the other side of the light station. Have I mentioned that Cassia is a HUGE fan of rock climbing? She was in rock climbing heaven!

Our only option to get back up to the van. No - we aren't walking on the plants - there is actually a dry stream bed beneath our feet. Still - a bit of a climb.

At this point we spent a little while in the van. Since it wasn't time for lunch yet, Cassia and I headed back to the beach.

How fun! The tide was out enough for some beachcombing and tidalpooling!

'Cassia - can you smile for the camera?' says Mom - vs. …..

Cassia freestyle!

Yup - long empty walking beaches are good but give me this type of beach anytime! So much to look at. Cassia and I got quite a collection together in our 1/1/2 hour walk - to bad I forgot a bag - my pockets had to suffice.

After lunch and a relaxing afternoon, the four of us returned to the beach around 3:30pm. 

Now, the tide was really out!

Hmmmm ---- look what Rufus found for himself!

Derek and Cassia stayed but I wasn't up to watching the feeding frenzy! Poor Mr. Crab…..

Back on the road in the latter part of the afternoon to head to Half Moon Bay. There are many roadside pull outs along this strip with access to very nice beaches. The reason we stayed at the Light Station Park was that I had talked with a couple when we first arrived and they said they preferred that beach because it was the most quiet and the furtherest from the highway. With that information we decided to stay for the day rather than move along from one to the other.

A really nice ride between Pescadero and Half Moon Bay.

Too bad for power lines!

Because we had no idea where we were going we did drive right through the quaint downtown of Half Moon Bay. It looks like a very nice place. We stopped at the visitor centre to find out that the brewery was about four miles north. We never did make it back to walk around the town but it looked to be a worthwhile stop if you are ever through.

Having parked in the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company parking lot - we approached it from the back. Because it was a such a large parking lot - we were happy to find our overnight spot.

We enjoyed our flight and since it was happy hour we also enjoyed a few 1/2 price off appetizers. 

Enjoying the cozy interior of the brewery. 

It was an early night for us - guess that had to do with all the ocean air and beach walks from the day.

We had also planned to check out Hop Dogma Brewing Co. in El Granada, but they were closed until Thursday. Too bad.

So, with that we had another coastal day under our belts. And another brewery of course. 

It was a good day.

(Good thing too because the next day wasn't quite so carefree!)

Teresa

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