Zur Adventszeit in San Francisco, Santa Barbara, San Diego

vakantio.de/sanfrancisco

Wir sind unterwegs und zünden unser 2., 3. und 4. Advents-Kerzchen in den USA an. Wenn ihr ein bisschen mit dabei sein wollt, schaut gerne mal hier rein! :-)

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Our plane was on time and after 10 1/2 hours above the clouds we are back in golden Meenz

Our plane was on time and after 10 1/2 hours above the clouds we are back in golden Meenz

Had some time before departure and drove spontaneously to the pretty Santana Row shopping street in San Jose. Interesting shops and beautiful Christmas decorations all around. I would have liked to have been here in the evening when all the lights were on. Maybe we'll come back...

Next stop in Cupertino on the Infinite Loop, home of Apple...

Visit to Google's headquarters in Mountainview / California. Beautiful, colorful Google bicycles (G-Bikes) are made available to visitors to explore the extensive grounds. That's what I call service! 👍

We leave San Francisco over the Bay Bridge

Once again through the city center lit up for Christmas. Tomorrow we're going to Silicon Valley.

Last dinner in the traditional restaurant Tadich-Grill, the oldest restaurant in town. Finest seafood dishes, stylish staff and still a rustic charm....you just feel good! 👍

Today was the last shopping Saturday before Christmas and there were big discounts in many shops. The rush is correspondingly large, for example here on the semicircular escalators at NORDSTROM on Market Street

From the 36th floor of our hotel you have this fantastic all-round view of San Francisco

Not far from the Golden Gate Bridge: Palace of Fine Arts Theatre

There it is now, the world-famous bridge. Always impressively beautiful! The many kite surfers who used the fresh breeze there for their sport also thought so.

Walk to the Golden Gate Bridge past the Marina......so picturesque!

Nothing for wimps: Real tough guys swim in the bay. Brrrrrr! The water is freezing!

Union Square with lots of posh shops and a Macy's whose Christmas department is a must-see. The ice surface and the blooming trumpet flowers... the contrasts could hardly be greater.

Our Union Square hotel. Blue Sky....it's going to be a beautiful day today.

My favorite breakfast in SF: pancakes with roasted and caramelized peka nuts, bananas and maple syrup. All without plastic packaging at Cafe Honey Honey

May I introduce: The Painted Ladies! The Victorian style group of houses is very pretty to look at... as are the other houses around Alamo Square

And how did we get there? With the cable car, of course. Some are decorated for Christmas

The sweetest corner of San Francisco: Ghirardelli Square with its chocolate factory and giant Christmas tree. Andreas stood in front of it for size comparison.

Evening mood at the Ferry Building, the large terminal for ferries crossing San Francisco Bay

Fisherman's Wharf at dusk with a full moon....amazing

As known from many TV series, the streets of San Francisco are mostly extremely hilly. Parking there is not easy and requires a few security measures such as turning the front wheels. Took the cable car down to the water today, taking in Lombard Street, the city's most winding street, along the way.

Union Square with ice rink and Christmas tree

Museum of modern art San Francisco

Before we return the rental car, a quick drive to Twin Peaks from where you have the most beautiful view of San Francisco

Lovers Point / Pacific Grove - just 2 blocks from our lovely bed and breakfast. Here you can romp around unrestrained.

Christmas Decorations in Pacific Grove

Overnight in an 1889 Victorian B&B in Pacific Grove. Who finds the phone? Isn't that awesome?

Despite the different weather conditions, the journey north on the Pacific Coast Highway was no less spectacular, accompanied by great Christmas Country Music via satellite radio XM🎅

One last breakfast in the cozy lobby of our hotel in Santa Barbara and then we continue....