Traveller

by sfcphotography The city of St. Francis has a birthday this weekend. San Francisco was founded on June 29, 1776, well before California became a state in 1850. The city is still just as pretty after more than 200 years. Come visit and see how she keeps her looks, and if you need help with your trip check out Uptake , a great travel site that I contribute every week to - they have loads of information. by sfcphotography This weekend there are lots of activities to celebrate the Presidio and its part in San Francisco's history and present. This morning we saw a parade. The city of San Francisco every weekend has lots to share with you, including the new King Tut exhibit at the De Young Museum . It was 30 years ago when it last came to town. It is a glorious weekend ahead of the 4th of July with perfect weather for visitors. No sweltering and melting, just sunshine and cool layers of fog to keep you air conditioned. by sfcphotography

Summer in San Francisco can be very foggy. Here is just a moment in time, the week before the 4th of July. In most parts of the US and lots of the world, the temperature should be in the 70s or 80s Fahrenheit not 50s. My favorite aspect of summer in San Francisco are the fog horns that start going at the Golden Gate Bridge on any given day at anytime. Did you know that: Fog horns are required at the Golden Gate Bridge for the safe travel of vessels under the span. The foghorn signals are set by United States Coast Guard. There are two fog horns mounted on the south tower pier, about 20 feet or so up from the water. There are three fog horns at mid-span that are located below the roadway level. The Golden Gate Bridge has an influence in directing fog as it pushes up and pours down around the Bridge. "Advection fog" forms when humid air from the Pacific Ocean swoops over the chilly California current flowing parallel to the coast. The fog hugs the ground and then the warm, m...

Don't you think that there is a time during everyone's childhood where much of your time is spent thinking about ghosts and ice cream, and loving both equally? Long ago when we were young, in the summer when my brothers and I wanted ice cream, my father would toss us into an open pick up truck and take us north to fruit stands that sold California Bing cherries, apricots and peaches by the crate load. Along the way, he would stop for a soft serve vanilla cone for us to eat along the way. Boy you knew you were growing up when you got to move from a single to a double scoop! In those days, you could get away with having small children rolling around in the back of an open truck on a speeding highway. Children never seem to worry about that stuff and we enjoyed the thrill of being outside heading towards a pit stop for ice cream then crates of cherries - which meant contests of who could spit their cherry pit the farthest without it flying back into their face! ghostly imag...

by sfcphotography One of the most beautiful office buildings in San Francisco has to be the Letterman Digital Art Center in the Presidio. It is the new home of Industrial Light & Magic , the people who brought you the special effects in most of the blockbuster movies coming out of Hollywood. Going for a walk in the Presidio of San Francisco not only gets you out into the fresh air, but it will bring you to this incredible office complex as these photos show. by sfcphotography Sit on a park bench and imagine working here. We walked by windows that showed the office workers have access to a full work out floor. It is impressive what George Lucas and Lucasfilm accomplished just a few years ago. Converting the old Letterman Hospital into this amazing work environment within the public space of the Presidio is a big deal. Interesting facts about what is going on behind these beautiful walls: 15,000 square foot daycare center 300 seat employee dining commons 298-seat, state-of-the...

by sfcphotography What a glorious day in San Francisco at one of those beautiful urban settings that many tourists miss during their visit to the city. Fort Mason is a historic location and facility as well as ideal spot for the photographer in the family. by sfcphotography Fort Mason, also known as San Francisco Port of Embarkation, US Army, in San Francisco, California is a former United States Army post located in the northern Marina District, alongside San Francisco Bay. Fort Mason served as an Army post for more than 100 years, initially as a coastal defense site and subsequently as a military port facility. During World War II, it handled most of the cargo for the Pacific campaign. Today it is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the site of several cultural facilities. It is a National Historic Landmark District with over 49 buildings of historic significance, spread over 1,200 acres. by sfcphotography For those of you who come to visit, a great lodging alterna...

by sfcphotography The best father lives here in Monterey, California and is now officially retired. He can show you the houses of lots of famous residents. He knows how to tip people properly. His second wife has been married to him longer than his first wife which I admire. He took me fishing in the bay with old commercial fishermen and was proud that I didn't get seasick. This father knows all the best places to eat, and where each kitchen entrance is located along with the names of most of the staff. He has lived here on the Monterey Peninsula so long that he knows short cuts so you don't get stuck in traffic. This father owns a white dinner jacket like Tony Bennett and Bobby Darin, and has sat at the captain's table on a cruise ship, they took a photo. This father has overcome a lot of obstacles and keeps trying. He was a kid who had to stand in line for butter and sugar during World War II in San Francisco. He is a great supporter of all of his kids and grandki...

by sfcphotography In the central valley of California, near Stockton and the state capital of Sacramento is the town and wine growing region known as the Lodi Appellation. This gorgeous area is filled with vineyards and wineries that nurture and bottle some of the best wine grapes you will find - they rival Napa and Sonoma. by sfcphotography Recently we toured this lush area and had an extended visit with long time wine grower, David Lucas, of Lucas Winery. He took the time to take us out back to share the precise moment that some baby Zinfandel grapes started showing up on his vines. by sfcphotography These Zin Star grapes are just part of the success story that Lucas Winery has had with its amazing wines - with the vineyard celebrating its 30th year. Does it help that David travels to Tuscany every year? Is it the experience and skill of his wife who made wines for 16 years at the Robert Mondavi Winery where she was responsible for their Cabernet Reserve and Opus wines. by sfcphotog...