Golden Gate Bridge View

The Golden Gate Bridge as seen from the East Bay.

Yosemite National Park

A picture of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park on a foggy day. Everyone has sunny pictures of this view, the fog is cool!

Santa Cruz, CA

A picture of the Santa Cruz, California shoreline, from a Stagnaro tour boat. Santa Cruz is a nice place to spend a day or two, but more than that is pushing it if you're touring.

Two seagulls look out on San Francisco Bay

What are they waiting for?

American River Trail, Sacramento, California

The American River Bike Trail in Sacramento, CA was gorgeous this fall weekend. The trail is a great place to ride your bike or go for a long walk. And by long, I do mean long, the scenic trail is over 20 miles long. Don't worry, there is plenty to gawk at along the way.

Sacramento, No on 8 Rally today

There was a No on Prop 8 Rally tonight in Sacramento on the steps of the Capitol building, the Sacbee puts the crowd at 3,000, but that seems generous to me.

Crocker Park Sacramento

Crocker park in downtown Sacramento, Sacramento does parks well, large grassy areas with a few shade trees spread out, perfect for spending a bit of time in. Crocker park is very small though with only a few picnic tables.

Sacramento tower bridge

The Sacramento Tower Bridge, a vertical lift bridge opened in 1935, I'm not a big fan, but many think it is picturesque, to get there, just drive down Capital Avenue in downtown Sacramento, if you're in the area, it is hard to miss. More pictures here.

Climbing El Capitan

Some climbers take a break from the rain on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Read up on mountain climbing in Yosemite.

Mariposa grove parking lot

This giant sequoia is smack in the middle of the Mariposa Grove Parking lot in Yosemite National Park. From the parking lot you can hike up and see more giant sequoias, ride an open "tram" around the trees for $25 a person, or shrug it off as one big tree looks pretty similar to another big trees and go on your way. I don't particularly suggest the tram (a cart pulled by a tractor) unless you have a high tolerance for diesel fumes, but walking the whole trail is a little much unless you have a lot of time to spend in Yosemite. For my money, walk a bit on the grove trail from the parkinglot, then turn around when you're nearly bored. Laura has more.

Yosemite National Park, California

A picture of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park on an annoyingly foggy day. You know it is not a good day for pictures when the gate ranger suggests you go take in a movie. The roads were already starting to close this weekend, hopefully they plow them out and reopen soon. Check out the Yosemite blog for more information.

Lake Tahoe, California

The water is warming up right about now, making late September and into October a great time to go.

The Lost Coast, California

A fuzzy dog roams the hills near the beach of the Lost Coast.

Capitol Park Hotel

The Capitol Park Hotel in Sacramento, right downtown, but probably not a place you want to stay.

Building reflected.

I like this shot of a building reflected in another building. I bet that has never been done before!

Posey's Cottage

Posey's was home of the Capitol Cigar Club in Sacramento, CA (it is now shut down). More vintage neon signs, including Posey's Cottage information, can be found here.

Crocker Art Museum

The Crocker Art Museum in downtown Sacramento is currently featuring American Pop art, how trite. Like Andy Warhol needs anymore notoriety. The museum is open during construction, and like the sign says, free on Sundays from 10-1, which sounds like a great time to go.

Sacramento Light Rail

The light rail heads into Sacramento on a very hot day. Once you get outside of downtown, its pretty much miles and miles of bland suburbs.

K Street, downtown Sacramento, CA

K Street is a closed off street in downtown Sacramento, California. Unfortunately most of it is rundown and not really worth walking past, although the trees are nice.

The Sacramento Biltmore Hotel

I don't think this Biltmore is a five star establishment.

Please, do not climb the trees

The California State Capitol Park (near the Capitol building) has a tree tour, where you can wander around and see different types of trees that are clearly identified, it is a nice place to take a stroll. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to climb any of the trees.

Alley Cuts, Sacramento CA

The offbeat barber shop, Alley Cuts, is surprisingly located in an alley in Sacramento, California.

The California State Capitol Building

It was a gorgeous day in Sacramento today.

A ground squirrel

This ground squirrel looks happy to me.

Point Reyes Beach

The beach at Point Reyes.

Inverness California

One of about three shops in Inverness, near Point Reyes.

Free range chickens at Point Reyes

Free range chickens living at Point Reyes National Seashore.

Single flower growing in the dirt

A single flower growing in the dirt. Looking for Detachment has some others.

A dirt path through the weeds

A dry dirt path through the weeds in the hills of northern California.

Point Reyes Beach

Point Reyes Beach on a windy fall day.

Lake Del Valle

Lake Del Valle near Livermore is popular on hot summer days.

A view from the Sonoma Coast

The Sonoma Coast is a good place to take a drive on a nice day.

Oakland, Mountain View Cemetery

Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland is a fairly popular place for a walk.

Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island, in San Francisco, CA of course.

Cow 8016

Cow 8016 in all of her glory. Sited in the hills of El Sobrante.

Coyote

This coyote, also in the El Sobrante hills, did not have an ear tag, I wonder how the rancher tells them apart.

The Truckee River

The Truckee River near Lake Tahoe.

Bay area sunset

A typical bay area sunset, this picture was taken in Martinez.

Alcatraz Island

A picture of Alcatraz from the Fisherman's Wharf area in San Francisco.

The Golden Gate Bridge

The Bridge from San Francisco's East Beach.

Lake Tahoe from the top of Squaw Valley Gondola

Spring is almost here

The hillsides around the bay area are green and have a few wildflowers once again.

A bird in the water

A white bird stalking in the waters of the San Francisco Bay.

17 mile drive, Monterey California.

A view from the drive.

Sonoma Coast beach and wildflowers

The beach looks calm here, but then you read stories like this: Waves sweep 2 off beaches - officials fear the worst. Be careful if you're on the beach, especially in the winter!

Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey CA

Lots of little fish swimming in a bowl.

Ano Nuevo Elephant Seals

Golden Gate Park path

A picture of a pleasant little path through a forest in Golden Gate Park, which is near downtown San Francisco. The park is a nice place to visit if you're in town anyway.