Saturday, February 9th 2013
San Mateo to Fort Bragg
We made it out at about 8.24 am. It was
Saturday, so we did not have to worry about the traffic. We “enjoyed”
our freeway trip to the Golden Gate. 101 – 380 – 280 – 1 –
101. It was nice and sunny morning and we were hoping that it would
stay like that.
Even we drove this way before, we
missed the turn for the Drake road and had to turn around. Drake road
was tiny and twisty and there was quite a few people on bicycles. We
stopped at Point Reyes Station (town) and took small walk around
(cute town). Couple shops and joy from our vacation.
Somewhere there (Point Reyes) we
started our long drive on Highway 1 along the coast. Twisty road
going up and down, taking some turns inland (not too much) and
impressive views of the cliffs and ocean. Really hard to wish for
much more. Bodega Bay was next stop, quick visit to visitor's center
(hoping for some maps etc) with not super friendly older lady. We
drove to the whaler's point (I think that was the name), which was
smaller park on the point sticking out into the ocean. Surprisingly
the parking lot was pretty much full and there was many people with
the jackets saying “Whale watch”. It was still whale's migration
season. We did not see any though. It was still nice place.
We were hoping to get to Point Arena
Light house before closing time (3.30 pm), but we did not want to
rush and miss the rest along the way. The drive stayed amazing,
twisty and often surprising. We did not stop at Fort Ross which was
old Russian settlement (state park). There were some abandoned
buildings and strange settlements along the way. Around the tiny town
(or village) of Sea Ranch were many new (or newer) developments in
very modern style. Somewhat strange. It as well looked like there was
few more upscale resorts. Oh well ...
We continued along the way. We got into
the town of Point Arena (population about 600 maybe) around 2.36 pm.
We passed through and went to the light house site. It was pretty
nice view from great distance. There were few cars, we paid the fee
and walked up the tower. Apparently it is the tallest of the west
coast light houses. And still in really nice shape. The view was
exquisite and we got short tour from the guy who was sitting in the
light house. About ten years ago the original light was removed and
replaced with tiny beacon. We toured the museum a bit (with the
original reassembled light) and left. J. wanted (so we did) to go
back to the town. There were few stores and not much else.
And … surprise … more driving.
Towards the end of the day we drove into Mendocino which was pretty
nice small town (actual shopping street, people walking around).
Unfortunately (fortunately for shopping matter) we did not have
really time, as we did not want to drive too much in the dark. Up and
down driving, some really impressive views from those “peaks” and
twisty driving.
It was probably ten minutes before
sunset, when we pulled in the parking lot of Point Cabrillo Light
Station. It was half a mile walk down to the station (on the narrow
road). The sun was slowly setting down onto the ocean (in front of
us). It was nice picture, sun, light house and ocean. There were some
houses (light keeper etc) now days used as rental properties. The
sunset was magical at best and we really liked it (even it got pretty
cold). The light house (still sending the light to the ocean) was
pretty (and closed). After that, we just drove to Fort Bragg to our
motel. End of the (pretty) day.
