California - Road trip
My group visited the northern region from San Francisco. I would say this is an area of specialist interest for those who like a road trip and want to see the unusual California.
The Redwood Forest are amazing, and these are now my favourite trees. I love the way they grow a little family around them and feed these saplings for 10 years and the stories of the great Navigation Tree on the hills above Oakland. They guided all the ships into San Francisco Harbour, cut down by loggers causing many shipwrecks in the following months and the start of sea charting navigation from that point.
We visited Mendocino, home of many film location including The Birds and Eureka to the north and a couple of fantastic vineyards including Saracina Cave tour and tasting. It was very sad that during our stay the forest fires claimed so many of the vineyards and property - it also meant we had to cut our trip short and travel down the Pacific Highway 1 back to San Francisco. Stunning coast line which I would love to cycle, and it is single carriageway so quite slow to drive in a bus.
Oakland welcomed us with open arms on our safe arrival. They showed us amazing hospitality with a party night on the river. We visited the Warrior stadium (basketball and American football) so interesting and such a part of USA culture. Then finally a Gala night with dinner in the Oakland Zoo and the best nightclub evening down town.
Thank you visit California, I pray for safe recovery from the fires and look forward to another visit the south and east of California.