San Francisco Visit January 2016

On the ferry to Tiburon, fog and clouds over San Francisco Bay, with hint of rainbow.

The remnants of houses in Daly City that have fallen off the cliff and been undercut by erosion.

Noir City Film Festival and meeting after the movie.

Family get together and wonderful meal.

Renees Garden Jan 2016

Renee has created a showcase garden for Renees Garden Seeds.

Raised beds, organic methods, irrigation from on-site water...

Beautiful arrangements,
Pest protection...

On-site fertilizer producer is Teddy the horse above.
Compost and cover crops for soil fertility below.

Pacific Grove Ocean Views

The coast along Pacific Grove has been partially protected.
The first shot is of a front yard natural landscaping.

Some houses have been allowed along the beach.

In other places, the shore has been left to walkers and birds.

Driving mid California Coast

From Monterey south to Morro Bay.

We stocked up on provisions:

Found a fun rental car:

Took a couple of hikes:

Stayed at the Bridge Street Inn in Cambria:

Delighted in finding Trillium angustipetalum:

And headed over the coastal hills at the end of the jaunt:

Tanbark Oak Trail along Partington Creek

We have hiked this trail several times over the years, as it is less well known and crowded.
It was nice to be welcomed back again by winter gathering of ladybugs, which congregate in the Santa Lucia mountains around Big Sur.

 The path along the stream runs through coastal Redwood forest. The show signs of many forest fires over the years.  Although relatively robust and protected by thick bark, sometimes the Redwoods are killed by fire or roots giving way.

The ruins of the 'Tin House' at the top of the ridge are in much drier chaparral with views along the coast.

Montana de Oro State Park Path Lines

Montana de Oro is an old ranch and farm on the California coast south of Morro Bay which is now a California State Park:  http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=592

The Coon Creek trail runs along a stream through dry hills of chert, which form layers in the rock seen below.  The path also forms a line.

Condensation trails and lichens in the trees also form lines.

The beginning of Coon Creek Trail shows as a slit between the hills.

Montana de Oro SP: Trees, Coon Creek Trail

Hearst Castle San Simeon Exteriors: Grandeur

William Randolph Hearst built on family holdings to become one of the richest and most powerful men of the early 20th century.  He worked with architect Julia Morgen for 28 years (1919-1947) assembling a monumental home on a hill over the California coast.  They collected art, antiques and materials from all over the world to symbolize power and ties to the classical past.  Hearst Castle is now part of the California state park system.

San Simeon above seen with the palms from the outside gardens.  
To the left, from the interior looking out; rooms were designed with views in mind.

Hearst Castle San Simeon Interiors

The interiors of Hearst Castle San Simeon contain furniture, art and pieces of building that WR Hearst bought all over the world.  
The indoor swimming pool was modeled on Roman baths and is constructed from beautiful blue tiles with gold leaf.

Notable are the ceilings Hearst brought, especially from Spain, Italy and the Middle East.

This post ends the chapter on January 2016 California trip.
Below is 2015 summary of renovation work on our house.
Hearst Castle it ain't.
But we worked hard on the restoration of our modest mid-century bungalow.
And we like it.