We started the day in San Francisco with breakfast at the Queen Anne. We sat with two young women from Italy who were on a whirlwind tour, of California, and were heading to Yosemite, Death Valley, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. We caught the bus to Golden Gate Park, although we later realized we could have driven as there was plenty of parking.
We walked into the park to the Conservatory of Flowers. On the way in, we found an incredible outdoor garden with the largest selection of dahlias we had ever seen. They were magnificent, and were in every possible shape, size and color. We spent some time walking around the dahlia dell, as it was referred to on the map, taking photos while oohing and ahhing.
We then went into the Conservatory itself, which had four different sections. The aquatic plants section was so humid our camera lens fogged up immediately. The best and most unique exhibit was the butterfly garden. I'm not sure what we were expecting, but when we walked through the plastic curtain and found that the room was filled with butterflies flitting from one flower to the next, we were both thrilled. There were all different colors and patterns, as well as a case with caterpillers just hatching into butterflies. What a great find!
A woman we met on a bench outside recommended that we go to the deYoung Museum, and although we didn't really have time to explore the museum itself, we did take her advice and go to the top of the attached nine story tower. It has floor-to-ceiling observation windows on all three sides, and the views of the city were stunning.
After lunch at a little cafe near the park, we took the bus back to our car, which we had left near the Queen Anne. We got on the road to Mendocino, which we expected to be about two hours of driving. We knew we were off when the GPS said it would be 3 1/2. Considering how long the drive was, we were glad that the countryside was so thoroughly enjoyable. We drove through wine country, with vineyards stretching out on both sides. Gradually the redwoods took over, as we headed west through the mountains. Every turn held new vistas, some of which took our breath away.
We were glad to arrive in Mendocino, and found our bed and breakfast (the Packard House) to be every bit as nice as it looked on the website. We were surprised to find that they had left a key for us taped to the front door, which I cannot imagine anyone doing at home. We were hungry, but there wasn't much open at 8 pm in the tiny town of Mendocino Village, so we ate at a little pub that seemed to be the center of the local social scene. Our room has a fireplace, a giant jacuzzi tub for two, and the softest towels we have ever felt, so we know we are in for a good night.
We started the day in San Francisco with breakfast at the Queen Anne. We sat with two young women from Italy who were on a whirlwind tour, of California, and were heading to Yosemite, Death Valley, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. We caught the bus to Golden Gate Park, although we later realized we could have driven as there was plenty of parking.
We walked into the park to the Conservatory of Flowers. On the way in, we found an incredible outdoor garden with the largest selection of dahlias we had ever seen. They were magnificent, and were in every possible shape, size and color. We spent some time walking around the dahlia dell, as it was referred to on the map, taking photos while oohing and ahhing.
We then went into the Conservatory itself, which had four different sections. The aquatic plants section was so humid our camera lens fogged up immediately. The best and most unique exhibit was the butterfly garden. I'm not sure what we were expecting, but when we walked through the plastic curtain and found that the room was filled with butterflies flitting from one flower to the next, we were both thrilled. There were all different colors and patterns, as well as a case with caterpillers just hatching into butterflies. What a great find!
A woman we met on a bench outside recommended that we go to the deYoung Museum, and although we didn't really have time to explore the museum itself, we did take her advice and go to the top of the attached nine story tower. It has floor-to-ceiling observation windows on all three sides, and the views of the city were stunning.
After lunch at a little cafe near the park, we took the bus back to our car, which we had left near the Queen Anne. We got on the road to Mendocino, which we expected to be about two hours of driving. We knew we were off when the GPS said it would be 3 1/2. Considering how long the drive was, we were glad that the countryside was so thoroughly enjoyable. We drove through wine country, with vineyards stretching out on both sides. Gradually the redwoods took over, as we headed west through the mountains. Every turn held new vistas, some of which took our breath away.
We were glad to arrive in Mendocino, and found our bed and breakfast (the Packard House) to be every bit as nice as it looked on the website. We were surprised to find that they had left a key for us taped to the front door, which I cannot imagine anyone doing at home. We were hungry, but there wasn't much open at 8 pm in the tiny town of Mendocino Village, so we ate at a little pub that seemed to be the center of the local social scene. Our room has a fireplace, a giant jacuzzi tub for two, and the softest towels we have ever felt, so we know we are in for a good night.
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