MUIR WOOD/STINSON BEACH

Kendrah and I managed to get a couple of days off together and so we continued our exploration of the Bay area. We'd already been across several of the Bay bridges (I think there are 4 or 5) but had yet to make it to the famous Golden Gate Bridge. So, on a Sunday, we decided to brave city traffic and head across the Bay.

The Golden Gate Bridge is, in reality, pretty cool looking. First, it's huge (I think it's 4 or 6 lanes wide) and second, it's a funky orangey-reddish colour. We found out that they start painting one end of the bridge each January, finish in December and then start all over again in January. Talk about monotony!

Anyway, at either end of the bridge you can stop at a vista point to take pictures. We got a great view of the city. In the distance, you can see the Bay Bridge, which we've been over a couple of times. Alcatraz is also visible and the city skyline is gorgeous.

Next up was Muir Woods. It's a national reserve that is dedicated to the protection of North America's tallest redwood trees. It was calm and cool in there -quite a change from the chaos of San Francisco.

This is the view as we looked up to the top of the trees. Absolutely huge.

Kendrah, posing underneath one of the redwood trees. They are so huge that it's possible to fit a car inside one of these puppies!

After we left Muir Woods, it was still pretty early so we decided to explore the North Bay area a little more before heading back to the city. We decided to try to find Stinson beach, located along the (dreaded!) Pacific Coast Highway. This time, however, it wasn't me driving and it wasn't pitch black, so the drive was significantly nicer. And what a gorgeous view!

It took about 20 min to find the place. Upon arrival, we found a cute little coastal town (population 486), surviving soley on the popularity of it's beach. It was sunny and clear, but quite windy down by the water. And despite the fact that it was only about 16 degrees, there were people SUNBATHING down there. This in a state where if it's less than 15 degrees, people deck themselves out in a scarf and mitts.

Hmmm......seems a bit contrary to me.

That aside, the beach was large, pretty and ...... prone to shark attacks?!?! I may not be coming back here once the weather is warm. Give me a shark-free great lake any day!

That's me, dipping my blistered feet into the chilly pacific

The last place we went to that day was Chinatown. Again. I'm in love with the place. I picked up some cute shoes (which I desperately needed since my sandals were ripping my feet to shreds), a new purse and a silk placemat/chopstick set. All, of course, for dirt cheap prices.
The last stop of the day was at a Tea House we stumbled on by accident. It's set up like a bar where you can taste any of the teas they sell. By the time we were done, I think we'd tried 6 or 7 different kinds. I ended up bringing home so lychee black tea....so yummy!