Tidings of Joy: The Central Coast

We left Marro Bay at 4:30a.m. in the dark and fog. Our instruments had not yet been properly adjusted for night mode and we both stood at attention at either side of the pilot house as we navigated our way out of the skinny channel with little visability. We were tired, a little on edge and cranky. The day would take us 13 hours and 120 miles to Monterey Bay. As the day progressed we divide it up into 2 hour watches while the other one slept as much as possible. I think I took four naps that day. The fog rolled in and out and vacillated between periods of visability and total pea soup. We watched Big Sur pass us by on the chart never seeing the coast or the beauty we knew were there. We saw several schools of dolphins leaping and swimming our way. Finally at 5:40pm we pulled into the Monterey Municipal Marina and tied up for a few days of R&R.

Early Morning Fog Leaving Morro Bay

Naps

Fishing Fleet Entering Monterey Bay

Tiding at Monterey Bay

That night we crashed early and slept soundly. When we work up we were both excited because our dear friends Randal and Michelle were driving to meet us and spend the day together. Promptly at 10a.m they were walking down our dock, masked and bearing gifts. Not only did they make the effort to drive over and see us but they brought us champaign for us all to cheers our West Coast Adventure and a bag full of wine. We were blown away.

Randal & Michelle Walking Down Dock

Champaign Toast

After we finished getting warm and fuzzy with Randal and Michelle we headed out for our sightseeing tour with them. Because the four of us are super cautious/nervous about the current cover-19 pandemic happening Randal and Michelle drove two cars down to meet us so that we could each have our own cars to drive and wouldn't have to be in an enclosed area together. They completely sanitized Michelle's car for us and had it filled with a cooler full of water and a big bag full of snacks. Again we were speechless. When we hoped in our respective cars we called each other on speak phone and Randal and Michelle took turns playing tour guide and telling us all the sites. Our road trip took us first through Monterey's famous Cannery Row over to Pebble Beach and the 18 miles drive to Carmel. It was beautiful and nice to see all the sights that we had missed due to fog the day before.

Following Randal & Michelle

View of 18 Mile Drive

Michelle and Randal had thought of everything down to the safest place to use the restroom. We stopped at the Pebble Beach golf club and used their very nice very sanitized restrooms. We looked at some of the golf stuff but none of us really cared that much. Our lunch destination would be somewhere in Carmel. Randal and Michelle had their favorite spots but we all wanted to see them for ourselves and rate our comfort level. After some debate we decided the best plan would be to get some deli sandwiches to go and have a nice picnic on the beach. Of course Michelle and Randal packed us each our own table and chairs in each of our cars in order to make this happen. We cracked another couple bottles of wine and settled in an enjoyed the beautiful view.

Picnic Lunch with Randal & Michelle

Carmel Beach

After full bellies and rosy cheeks we had one final stop on our scenic tour - Bixby Creek Bridge. One a clear day we would have seen this from the water but we didn't have that luxury. Fortunately when we arrived it was gorgeous and quite a site to behold. Even for someone scared of bridges and heights.

Bixby Creek Bridge

Social Distancing at the Bridge

After gawking at the bridge for awhile we decided that a nap and some rest should be in order before proceeding with the evening activities. So we hoped into our separate cars and went back for a little rest. Randal and Michelle got a hotel for the night so they could participate in some libations that night. Napped and rested we were ready to proceed and once again Randal and Michelle came down the dock chairs, table and wine in hand. This time they had 4 bottles (2 for each couple) for us to try together while we contemplated dinner. They were both extraordinary as Randal is quite the wine conasour and has an abundance of wine knowledge and a collection to boot. We all decided that take out was our safest pandemic bet and called the japaneese restaurant near the dock. The night continued with great conversation, lots of wine and full bellies. We were so happy to see our friends and be around other people again.

Docktails with Randal and Michelle

The next morning we slept in again which felt like such a luxury after a past few ports of getting up early and traveling long days. Randal and Michelle were nice enough to leave me their car so I could drive it to Whole Foods to do some provisioning before they drove back home. We met up once more to exchange cars and had a simple lunch at a brewery near by. There was outdoor seating and we got to sit by each other but at separate tables and no-one else was near by. It was nice to have a final meal together before we said goodbye. Later that same day Jeff and I walked passed the warf. In the pre-covid days we would have walked down it but it was so packed full of people there would be no way to social distance and not be on top of people. We continued on a nice walking path towards Cannery Row which too was crowed. After a few picture opts we decided we both were ready to be be out of crowds and return to the boat.

The Warf Monterey Bay

Cannery Row

Our plan was to head to San Francisco next but the wind and weather had other plans in mind for us. Instead we headed across the bay to Santa Cruz harbor. It was a short 25 mile jaunt full of whales. We were so excited. The docks at the harbor were anything but inviting. They were full of sea birds and their poop. Open to the public, people could walk right down to our boat or watch us and talk to us from the pier above. The harbor itself was nice enough with a few restaurants and shops but pretty far out of downtown. One of the restaurants is a favorite of Randal and Michelle's - The Crow's Nest. They told us after a few errands they would stop by and see us for dinner. Never empty handed they arrived with peas, artichokes, strawberries and cucumber they had picked up for us at a local farm stand they frequent.

Santa Cruz Harbor

Tidings in Santa Cruz

The next morning much like the majority of them brought a dawn departure. We were so excited to be heading to San Francisco. This was a dream for both of us to cruise our own boat under the Golden Gate Bridge. We went on a Pollak family cruise out of San Francisco but it's not quiet the same as doing it yourself. The 7.5 hour cruise brought a lot of fog and whales. No matter how many we see we always get giddy every time and shout, "whale!" as loud as we can. The Golden Gate did not cease to amaze. Even though it was foggy and a little rough we were still elated to be going under it. Jeff snapped away pictures as I stood outside looking up and all around not really believing we had made it this far.

Whale Along the Way

Entering San Francisco Bay

Golden Gate Bridge

As we cruised the bay on our way to our marina we just soaked in the sites - downtown, alcatrez and fisherman's warf. Our marina was at Pier 39 and Fisherman's warf. We couldn't believe it when we arrived. Right in the heart of everything. We opened a bottle of Procesco to celebrate our arrival and went to bed early.

Alcatraz

San Francisco Bay

Pier 39 Marina

Because of it's proximity to the ocean and lack of protection it was a very rolly night at the marina. Jeff was outside overnight many times tightening lines and repositioning them to keep them from slapping on the boat. It didn't bother me much because I loved the location but Jeff wasn't as into it. After constantly being in motion for over 24 hours we decided to take a stroll around town. We past the warf which again was packed with people. We walked up to Lombard Street, North Beach and got some famous San Francisco sourdough. When we returned to the boat Jeff proclaimed that we would be relocating in the morning because he had had enough rolling around.

North Beach-San Francisco

North Beach

Lombard Street

North Beach

Our Buddy Held Down the Fort While we Walked

Randal and Michelle had told us South Beach by the ballpark was a much quieter calmer area to dock and to look into that. Jeff called first thing in the morning and we headed that way. It was a calm 15 minute cruise that took us into the downtown area.

Cruising to South Beach - San Francisco

Went Under Oakland Bay Bridge

Docked Right Behind Giants Ballpark

As soon as we arrived we knew we made the right move. It was flat calm with a cool view of the stadium and within walking distance to so much. We walked to the ferry building which is full of shops and restaurants, China Town and all around. I think we got close to 15,000 steps on those days.

Downtown

Chinatown

2nd Tallest Building West of Mississippi

Art on Walk to Ferry Building

Tiding at South Beach

St. Francis Hotel at Union Square

We would spend one more night in South Beach doing much of the same - walking, sightseeing and not rocking. The weather continued to deteriorate and it seemed like every day brought either a small craft or gale warning or both. Our stop over in San Francisco was now begining to get longer and longer. Fortunately our marina in San Diego has several sister marina's around the country and San Francisco bay had two. After a quick consult with our dock master she was able to get us a reservation at Emeryville Isle Marina for a couple of nights. The docks were rough, some needing new boards, mostly covered in bird shit but it was safe and free so what did we care. We spent the day doing boat projects and cleaned out all the sea strainers and that night we met up with my mom's best friend Betsy. The two of them have been best friends since grade school and I grew up being around her since I too was a little girl. We decided social distancing docktails would be the best idea and she came over and we had a great time.

Cruise to Emeryville

Cleaning the Sea Strainers

Docktails with Betsy

The next day the weather was still terrible. We were beginning to feel discouraged but tried to make the most of it. We lowered our bikes and took a ride into Berkley. It was about a 30 minute ride each way and it was something nice to see other then the suburbs of Emeryville. We found a Whole Foods (surprise surprise) and did some provisioning. It was a horrible experience and the store was packed to the gills with zero social distancing. We were both so relieved to get the hell out of there.

Bike Riding Through Berkley

The next day with the 4th of July and with no exiting San Francisco in site we decided to just make the best of it. We had a slow morning and cooked veggie burgers for dinner. Surprisingly there was a ton of fireworks in the distance and we could see up to 8 different displays at once. We played music and made the best of our time. We were both starting to get really antsy. What we thought was going to be a couple of days were going into week two of waiting out the weather. Jeff always being the adventurer got out the map and guide books and went to work. He figured out that we could take the boat up to Napa Valley via the river system connected to San Francisco. I was totally game. A side trip out of San Francisco was exactly what we needed. The ride there was a total trip going in shallow rivers was something we haven't experienced since being on the loop. While taking my shift driving a barge called me telling me to move out of the shipping lane. Oops. Neither of us knew and I quickly moved aside. We also got to open a bridge - another thing we haven't experienced since the loop. Finally we were revitalized again.

Leaving Emeryville

Napa Valley River

Napa Valley Marina

Mare Causeway Bridge we Opened

Railroad Bridge

Our arrival was a bit hairy. It was windy as hell and the when we called the marina they told us to tie up to the guest dock which was completely full and the dock master was away from his desk. We finally decided to make the executive decision to tie up to an end tie and told them that is where we were and if we needed to move let us know. After many times retying the lines we finally were set. We walked up to the office to check in. Everyone was super nice and welcoming and they informed us that we tied to the redhead dock and were fine there. We told them we were waiting for weather and would be there two or three nights. We went back and enjoyed the beautiful Napa Valley scenery from the boat.

Our Dock- Napa Valley

View from the Boat- Napa Valley

Evening Boating

Sunset View from Boat

The next day we slept in and had a much coveted slow morning of p.j's slow coffee drinking and not rushing around. Although, we did have something to look forward to - our friends Randal and Michelle were driving up to Napa to meet us in town and have lunch. After our slow morning we lowered the dink, packed a covid-19 bag of isopropyl alcohol, masks, water, and sunscreen. Jeff bombed us down the river feeling like a kid in a candy store in his fast dingy with flat calm river water. This was all good until we got almost to the town dock where our depth meter all of a sudden read 3 feet then 2 feet then 1 foot then we were on the ground. Jeff quickly raised the motor and we tried finding some deeper water. It wasn't to be found. We spoke to some paddle boarders going by and they said they were warned of shallow water near town. Nervous and uptight we got out the oars and begin at paddle our way into the town dock. Randal and Michelle were waiting for us with a look of dismay on their faces worried as they saw us paddling our way in. We made it no problem and we explained out situation. They were all smiles, champaign in hand and ready to hang out. What a happy relief seeing them was to us both. We took a deep breath, secured the dink then walked up the ramp to town.

Randal & Michelle in Napa

Champaign Toast - Napa Valley

After champaign we began to relax and forget all about our paddling experience. We strolled the empty downtown of Napa in disbelief. It was warm and sunny and for the first time since leaving San Diego I wasn't cold. It was so nice. We scouted out a few places for lunch trying to see which we would all feel most comfortable going to during this pandemic. Randal and Michelle knew of several place but all were indoors, some closed and non up to our safety covid standards. We settled for a cute outdoor restaurant on the water called Joe's Downtown Brewery. They had ample outdoor seating and they had two tables for us away from the other patrons. Thank god! We had a great lunch, good conversation and it was nice being together again. After lunch we walked around a bit more. Randal and Michelle were making the 2 hour drive back home so their time was somewhat limited and we needed to be back to the marina and off the river before dark. We did some window shopping and found a nice french restaurant we could have one last drink before heading back to the marina.

Lunch with Randal & Michelle

One More Drink

Downtown Napa

After our drink we headed back to the dink and made our way back upriver to the marina. Randal and Michelle headed over via car and had their chairs, table and another two bottles of wine (one for each couple) with them. They bought us some vegan chocolate in town and the four of us had docktails at the marina before their departure. It was such a nice bonus seeing them again. We all were so happy.

Dink Cruise Upriver to Marina

Docktails with Randal and Michelle

Sunset Napa Valley Marina

Big shocker the weather leaving San Francisco Bay was still awful so we decided to stay one more day in Napa. Today another slow morning (these now were becoming the norm since being stuck) and then a walk down the road. The marina was in the middle of the valley surrounded by fields, cows and vineyards. It was a trip to have a boat in somewhere that felt this remote in California. We walked for about an hour taking in the scene and then returned to the boat for an early dinner and early morning departure for hopefully Sausalito.

Vineyards Along our Walk

Walking Down the Road

Our Walk

View Outside Marina

Jeff Got a Treat

After three days in Napa we had run out of things to do and decided we better start heading back to town in case there would be a weather window opening up soon. At 6a.m. on the July 9th we head out of Napa and back into San Francisco Bay. We learned along the way that there was a guest dock available at Clipper Marina in Sausalito and we would be in great position for a departure should the weather open up. We tied up to a nice 350 foot long dock with nice clean cement docks and nice looking boats. I commented to Jeff that this was the nicest marina we have been at to date. We were very hopeful in what we saw with the weather and thought the next day we might finally leave San Francisco Bay. We awoke at 3a.m. to make our final decision and sadly the weather had gotten worse overnight and now there was a small craft warning from here to our next destination Bodega Bay. Once again feeling defeated we went back to sleep. Thankfully Sausalito is a cute town. We paid for another night, walked into town and to West Marine for some supplies and will bide our time until hopefully sooner then later we can continue our trip. Tomorrow will be two weeks since entering San Francisco Bay and we are ready to continue our journey north.