Central California

and the Sierra Nevada Mountains

Click on the pictures to see the videos

We flew into San Francisco airport in the evening, slept over in an airport hotel, and set off early the next morning for the coast, and turned south towards our first stop, Monterey. We stayed two nights in the Best Western, pricey, but central and pleasant, a great feature being the free wine and nibbles get together for guests in the late afternoon. We walked around the old cannery area, now shops and restaurants, and spent the evenings in the 'fisherman's wharf area. During the one whole day there we drove around the peninsular, visiting Pebble Beach Golf Club, and Carmel, although I have no film from Carmel.

We turned inland, across to the mountains, a journey that took much less time than we had anticipated. We stayed at Three Rivers just outside Sequoia National Park, and spent all the next day soaking up the amazing trees. Much to my delight, I had a close encounter with a black bear - who was far more interested in extracting something to eat from a pine cone than he was in me, so I was able to film him for several minutes.

We stayed overnight in Mammoth Lakes, our worst motel by far, and not that thrilling a town, although to be fair, in October, it's neither ski time nor summer hiking. However, the journey up the 395 and then Monitor Pass was fantastic, and warranted a video all to itself.

The next day we continued down the Pacific coast highway, great views, and the elephant seals were interesting, if lazy at this time of year.

Time to have an afternoon at Hearst Castle, amazing place. We've now done tour 1, but would be happy to go again and see some more.

Yosemite National; Park, two days, the first of which we spent in an October snowstorm. Luckily, short lived, the second day was all blue sky, although the snow took some time to clear in higher parts.

By 2.00pm we were able to travel across Tioga Pass.

Finally Lake Tahoe, where we stayed in Harrah's Casino, and at last had the chance to unpack. SPACE.....even his and hers bathrooms, each with their own TV. The Lake is truly picturesque.