California vacation wrap-up

Rob and I just wrapped up our first real vacation as a married couple. We had a great time! We stayed with my sister-in-law Rachel and her boyfriend Jason in Palo Alto.

A few highlights:

• We saved more than $90 by not parking out car at the airport. Instead we walked a half mile to the bus stop, took the bus to downtown, took the light-rail to the airport. Cost = $2.25 each.
• By packing light, we were able to take only carry on bags. This saved us tons of time and no stress worrying about our luggage getting lost.
• California is fun to visit, but it requires a lot of driving. I am glad to be home.

Since I took so many pictures, I can't post them all here. However there are links below, divided by day, along with a break-down of what we did.

Day 1 - Wednesday

• Bus to downtown. Lightrail to airport. Fly to Chicago.
• Two hour layover in Chicago.
• Fly to San Francisco.
• Meet Rachel at the airport. Drive to Palo Alto.
• Drop off bags. Head to grocery and beer stores.
• Drink a few and get caught up with Rachel and Jason.

Day 2 - Thursday 

• Take train to San Fran.
• Walk around Market Street a while. Get lunch at John's Grill.
• Take the trolley to Fisherman's Wharf.
• Check out the sea lions, Alcatraz, and the Ghiradelli Chocolate place.
• Meet Rachel in Chinatown.
• Go to the Rogue Brew Pub for dinner and drinks.

Day 3 - Friday

• Bay Bridge
• Drive to Napa Valley
• Explore downtown Napa, check out some antique shops, eat at Gillwoods Cafe
• Head to Berginer Vineyards for winery tour.
• Drive back to Palo Alto. Pick up Krung Thai and a bottle of Louis Jadot Pinot Noir.

Day 4 - Saturday 

• Drive to mall at San Jose for some shopping.
• Tour Winchester Mystery House.
• Attend Rachel's bday/Earth Day/welcome Rob and Kristi to California party with delicious home brews by Slaughterhouse 7.

Day 5 - Sunday 

• Recover.
• Head to the beach at Santa Cruz.
• Explore downtown Santa Cruz.
• Order pizza, watch movie, play board games.

Day 6 - Monday 

• Eat lunch at Taqueria in Palo Alto.
• Drive to Santa Cruz. Tour Mystery Spot. Take hilarious pictures.
• Drive to Monterey. Visit Monterey Bay Aquarium.
• Buy fresh oysters for Rob at Sea Harvest Fish Market.
• Drive back to Santa Cruz. Get food and drinks at 99 Bottles.

Day 7 - Tuesday 

• Repeat Day 1 in reverse order

There you have it. Whew.

And if you don't feel like clicking through every one of the Picasa albums linked above, here's a few of my personal favorites: