Northern California tour

Arrived in Northern California on board a chartered Suv first few days in Los Angeles in the company of three friends as part of a long trip to USA comprising the States of New York, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, Arizona, Utah and Nevada. We had already visited a few days before the Southern California that would refer to the relevant tour in which I describe the stops in Los Angeles (Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica) and Calico. We enter the Northern Nevada Californiadel around Parhump.

 

Arrived in Northern California on board a chartered Suv first few days in Los Angeles in the company of three friends as part of a long trip to USA We enter California from Nevada around Parhump and we are now in Death Valley, one of the major depressions of the planet since its surface is almost completely below sea level. Wrong way around Shoshoa and take a path that goes through a secondary area is not particularly interesting, does not cross anyone and this makes two of us care a bit. The navigation system seems to get lost in this desert since the road that we are not prcorrendo points. After nearly an hour we find a paved road and a few machine that makes us realize that we are on the right path. Indeed after a few kilometers we Zabronski Point where we descend to admire a panoramic view of the endless desert devoid of vegetation, desolate moors that alternate with ocher-colored hills creped surfaces crystallized by salt and sand dunes. It is very hot so we rely on machine to use the air conditioner to manetta. Turning into a road after a bend that brings us on a high hill, the dantes Wiew, from which you can enjoy a different perspective of the Valley of Death, we are overlooking the fact Badwater, a lake that has high heat and evaporate the its place has left a large expanse of salt that has cristallizzarta, reflects the sun will give the appearance of a huge mirror. We continue to cemtro of Furnace Creek baipassiamo that to continue along the road through the park. Let us pause a little because I and one of my colleagues want to go and watch closely a surface crystallized salt, is so hot that our cameras go haywire. Back in the car we continue along an area of sand dunes similar to those of the Sahara. We made a surreal environment of rocks by color more disparate then descend into a depression by the dazzling colors and that the sense of infinity, Wherever we look it seems that this immense territory apparently devoid of life never ends. The road going up makes some tentative glimpse bush that can survive well at these temperatures. E'sorprendente as here in a few minutes to completely change the landscape by going to the slopes of a mountain range. In just a few kilometers revise some plant and Lone Pine ricomincia civilization. In this town have been shot many films and is easily understandable why, in just a few miles you go from desert to alpine mountains of sand, one of the most hot and inhospitable land of snowy peaks, then around Lone Pine film You can sbizzarire. In the town have been reconstructed premises of the old west and we are entering one of these very distinctive. In addition to dine discreetly keep many autographs of actors hollywood scattered almost everywhere on the walls and wooden beams of the restaurant. There are also hung photos of movie sets, movie posters and typical objects to the west. Refreshment reach the next village, Bishop, where to sleep in a Motel.

From Bishop we aim toward the Yosemite Park. Yesterday afternoon we learned from an Italian couple meet in Death Valley that the shortest way is closed to traffic for snow so we will be forced to ride a lot longer then enter the other side. So close to the Mono Lake instead diverted to the Tioga Pass to continue north to the junction of Sonora where we put on 108, a road that in some sections is also interesting with glimpses of rich green mountains and streams. Of course, the ascent and descent of the Sonora Pass presents a bend, the road is long but not dull, there is an interesting vegetation all around. As you descend on the other side meet growing villages along the road which then reach Sonora baipassiamo to enter the 120th Shortly after we take a detour that finally leads us into Yosemite Park. The road inside the Park presents many interruptions to ongoing work, we walk to alternating traffic controlled by traffic lights that are slow. However, are beginning to glimpse interesting panorama on the mountains that surround us, a long valley is the background to a waterfall that is weak but higher than that of Niagara.La view deserves a brief stop drinking that soon we will be inside the valley. Down to the Yosemite Valley we notice that everywhere we turn our eyes we see a waterfall, after the desolation of Death Valley this luxuriant nature is glamorous. As we get closer to Yosemite Village is becoming increasingly clear El Capitaine, the queen of the mountain park, a monolith that dominates Dolomitic entire valley.
The road runs along the Merced River, a lovely stream surrounded by beautiful mountains. The waterfalls in the distance seen before now provide us with all their elegance. A circular road around the Village, passing near the waterfall that now sees well among the dense vegetazioine plant from stem. Let us stop at the village and enter the stocked supermarket to buy something to eat, then continue the tour by passing near El Capitaine but also another impressive mountain, the Sun Half The environment is very beautiful, mountains dolomitichre which remains completely waterfalls roaring down below them and coniferous forests and green meadows. Heading south you encounter an area of the park called Mariposa Grow where there are several large specimens of redwood. These trees are truly impressive both in height and for diameter of the barrel, we are so small not only in front of them but also when compared to one of their many roots that emerge in the surface. Among the trees is also a deer that draws our attenzipone. Shortly after leaving the Yosemite Park, was a long day of travel and we have milled many kilometers but we were rewarded by what nature has given us. The fatigue is so much and so we stop at the first town meeting, Oakhurst, where a pizza dinner and overnight stay in a Motel along the way.

Motel we hosted is located in a very nice, last night we got a horse and there were not realized, we do breakfast on the terrace that opens into a beautiful grove of conifers, truly one of the best accommodation for this trip . From here we face a long transfer to San Francisco reached the conurbation of the city with the crossing of the St. Matthew Bridge which for the first time we see the famous bay. We stop in a suburb rather desolate, inhabited by people of India, to buy something to eat in a shop, also run by a man with turban. Before entering the town enter the airport, we are ahead of the roadmap that we set and we would like to find a flight for Haway but with great surprise we find to be very expensive. Although it is a domestic flight is more expensive to buy a flight to Honolulu that here in Milan! Abandoned the idea Haway we head into downtown San Francisco, which welcomes us with its grattaceli certainly less impressive than those seen in New York. After seeing where you will find the hotel booked in Italy, but we are here in advance and will only in a few days, we find an accommodation in a Motel Lombard Street. There is a very strong wind and cold, we hope that this is not always the case. E 'evening, leave for a tour of the surrounding area and dinner in a small Italian restaurant, then go back in to the Motel accommodation.

We wake up with the sun, do not pull more wind and decide to start your visit to San Francisco, we often read that those who come here can not see the famous Golden Gate because of the fog shrouded but today the sky is so clear that merits point immediately to the bridge. And actually sighted this magnificent building was once the longest bridge in the world, shows itself to us in all its grandeur. The cross and reach the other shore we stop in the various vantage points where there is this wonderful contrast between the red of the bridge and the blue of the sea, In the middle of the bay the small island of Alcatraz, until recently a prison rule security from which escape was impossible. Since we are on the shore of Sausalito decide to get this known tourist resort which has a marina for boats and a nice downtown with many souvenir shops. While my fellow travelers are in a bar to see on TV a football match I deckchairs on a bench of the promenade and I appisolo cradled by the light sea breeze. When returning the car back but we can not return to the Golden Gate because it was closed because of an accident, then move further north from the San Raphael Bridge. This bridge is longer and higher than the Golden Gate and the city center overlooking the bay. Reached the other side of the coast we reach the Bay Bridge that crosses the bay by relying on a small island and arrives almost in the center of San Francisco. Let grattaceli in the middle of the promenade and go up to Pier 39, a quay of the port turned into an attractive tourist shops with souvenirs and crafts, restaurants, street artists and a colony of sea lions. Dinner at an elegant restaurant at the Pier, our table is in front of a stained glass window overlooking the sea and taste the specialties of San Francisco, the crab. Basically you wear a whole boiled crab which eats flesh, in my opinion nothing exceptional. After dinner we return in the usual motel the previous day for the accommodation.

Left the Lombard Street Motel opt for a tour to the south of the city. Cross the famous area of Silicon Valley that gave the world modern informatics reach Monterrey, once capologo California. We stop at the port from where it starts mini boat to see whales but unfortunately the sea is rough and will not be made. It 'a very tourist place where there are the usual souvenir shops, food stalls, restaurants that offer fish. Then we go in the center of town that houses the largest aquarium in the U.S. where not enter because there is a long tail. Let us go still further south to Caramel, where the first Catholic Church in California with the adjacent monastery. The complex is surrounded by walls, has a small museum and is dedicated to St. Francis. Going up north we stop at a beach, the sand is a little rough and the sea has deposited strange jellyfish-shaped Peretta for enemas!
Returning to San Francisco to spend the evening street that houses Little Italy. Italian restaurants can be found almost everywhere in American cities, but here is the monopoly of Italian, real or supposed, because in reality many of the restaurants that overlook the street are run by Asians. However some local Italian is still: cafes, restaurants and food where you can find the farro della Garfagnana and oil Bertolli. Whether or not really Italian here almost six at home, on the light poles are designed the flag, from cafeterias music resonate locally and on the road constantly being invited to enter restaurants from fellow. Of course in all this we end the stagnation in order to enter into a pizzeria and Italian has only the name, however, eat a good calzone. We decided then to change Motel and always in Lombard Street we find another, the Motor Hotel. The camera is cheap but when we enter we discover to be finished in a pigsty: torn blankets, sheets and dirty under the bed a "discharge" of waste. Probably the room was not cleaned for years! One of my companions strongly protest with the goalkeeper, rivogliamo back the money but it comes almost a scuffles so that my friend is forced to call from a phone booth that the police intervened quickly. Restituitici money is a Motel nearby quite decent to stay.

Just wake up we learn that one of our comrades do not feel too well that there will nell'escursione today and will move to the individual that we booked before leaving Italy. Near the Motel where we stayed at the clubs there is a "Happy Days" that seems inviting. Unfortunately, there is the usual problem of language, none of us speak English and this time we order thinking one thing and another arrives. To me anyway it's better because of all that which is brought to my comrades is truly inedible. I get the usual leaks a little high with thick syrup-flavored honey in the absence of other really do not regret. The morning is devoted to an extensive tour of the city, not only the most famous tourist areas but also those secondary dobbimo advantage because tomorrow morning we will have to return the car all'autonoleggo. In this long journey between the hills surrounding San Francisco from all sides passing through the famous streets of the gull, in theory we should follow the signs that show but in reality very often we lose out of the circuit, the moral of the story the signs should be magazine. The road show different places of the city and the well-maintained public parks, the beaches but not very large inviting. Despite the calls not coast for bathing does not deprive us of ammollarre for a few seconds his legs in the cold waters of the Pacific. We stop in at the vantage point high antenna which offers a great view of the city. The tour ends near the Pier 39 already visited previously. Parking and we are in Fisherman Warf, crowded tourist area with numerous seafood restaurants and souvenir shops. After trying a good restaurant we end up eating a sandwich in a crowded fast food. Then we visit the nearby park at the Navy docks where cargo ships have docked in the past to see where we go up and the bridges that hold. In some reconstructions show life aboard the ships when they tackle the seas around the world. Among other things we visit this museum open and close the exhibition with the internal card of the National Parks. Unfortunately, the card does not allow us instead of getting on a military submarine anchored there, the ticket appears to us so dear renounce. Having to use a full day of the last car, passing through the famous stretch of Lombard Street immortalized in numerous post cards, or that short but fraught zig zag path that connects two of the main arteries from Fisherman Warf climb the hills and a decrease in the city center . Sull'irta street lined with flower beds of flowers is the limit to 20 miles but I do not see how one could go faster. Fisherman turned to gaze sweeps over the sea and the island of Alcatraz. Then we go to that book from where we spend the last three nights. Here we have preceded our other partner with whom we are reunited. After taking possession of the rooms spacious and quite beautiful, we can not help but to roll on a nice bed to rest in front of the television. In the evening we try to get up to go in search of a restaurant in Little Italy, after many "schifezze" American want a dinner locally. To reach this area for a brief passing Colored China Town. A Little Italy, this time we allow ourselves to be persuaded to join a restaurant that is not Italian in name only but also as management and actually eat quite well. Refresh return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Awakening us to an abundant breakfast included in the price of and finally we can choose what's up in that most pleases us without the risk of finding ourselves in the pot unpleasant things. For days I have discovered I like tapioca and tastefully dissolved in hot milk and then brioshe, bread with jam, boiled eggs etc.. The abbuffata morning we allow a certain autosufficenza all day. Let's deliver the rental car with knowledge that in the coming days we should walk. San Francisco is one of ups and avenues, but it does not bother us because we can take advantage of the famous trams crossing the city. But first we visit the oldest part of San Francisco where the main monuments of the city. The Town Hall where waving the flags of USA California and is preceded by a monumental avenue where they are inscribed the names of all the nations of the world in chronological order with respect to their entry into the United Nations, a list that in recent decades has undergone many changes. Border of the town hall there is a public park where a festival takes place east of the rest here is a large Asian community. Then we reach the tram station with not a long walk. Trams have their terminus in the city center where they are shot to push the tramvieri before resuming the climb, in practice are put on a sort of merry-go-round driven by hand. You have to make the queue to move up here and vagoncini are often so crowded that some people are forced to stay to the outside. The driver operates a powerful lever much like a long handbrake. Let's Fisherman Warf wandering among the many shops and visiting an exhibition of mechanical games dating back to the first half of the 900 still in operation housed inside a huge hangar. Quick lunch in fast food the day before then we walk to Fisherman. The ticket we bought for the Tram goes two days and so they take advantage and go back downtown to visit a store such as Machintos where you can browse for free on the Internet, the Virgin and that of Levi's, the father of all born Jeans San Francisco.La evening while my fellow travelers dine in a restaurant I will observe the area of stalls selling crabs. Expert cooks dip the crab in boiling water, after a short time removed from the pot, off the Cheli, extract the pulp and prepare a sandwich. Not resist the temptation of a sandwich to the pulp of crab. Even the bread is special, it seems a big bignè with a little soft inside so that it can be inserted nell'incavo pulp. This bread is produced not far from here through an assembly line and the cycle of production is seen from the road where you look out the windows of this weird bakery. Ricongiuntomi with friends take the tram that we are not far from the discharge end. Although it is Saturday night there are many people in this way but we have noticed a bit in the U.S. except dell'affollatissima Las Vegas. It almost seems to be a cert'ora shots and curfew on the streets are only the homeless, many of them in color, crouching down to sleep on a cardboard. We reach our Hotel for accommodation.

In practice, it is our last day in the U.S. because tomorrow will take the flight on the return. After the pleasant and abundant self-service breakfast at the hotel we go by tram to Fisherman Warf idling in the loading bay 39 and the rest of this holiday. E 'Sunday and Fisherman is more crowded than usual, some of us would make a trip to Alcatraz, but the ferries are put to the quota that would be impossible to achieve. The almost one week in San Francisco have seen more or less everything that's interesting so far that is not to pass the time until the evening. For example we visit the nearby Piazza Girardelli where we were not yet been practically a mall created by the largest chocolate factory in California founded by an Italian immigrant origins ligurian. At the entrance there are also offered the chocolates. Towards evening with the usual characteristic Tram go back in the center, the guide that we have read in a square should be some street musicians, but you have never seen any. There is instead a celebration east, my eye falls on two young Asian in trouble with the cotton candy machine. I put together and given that I know to teach to the wrap on the cone of paper that used here instead of the stick of wood. Return first because we would expect a long journey, we confirm the flights of the internet where we made friends with the young door, a girl just arrived from Uzbekistan named Mohi. Andiamo quuindi room for accommodation.

And we got to the day of departure and the end of this long journey in the U.S. where we have reached the States of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. In our route we saw the city of New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco. We have entered in the Grand Canyon Parks, Glenn Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, Canyoland, Arches, Bryce, Zion, Death Valley and Yosemite. We visited the museums in Washington, the historic plantation of Mount Vernon, the western town of Calico, and Universal Studios in Hollywood. It traveled thousands of miles by changing two cars and making a flight between Virginia and California. But now we have come to an end and we are sorry not to go home. Let's buffet breakfast then take a taxi that the couple Mohi we had booked the night before. We start from San Francisco for a flight of about 13 hours direct to London. During the flight apart from oblivion a large loop formed by the Missouri River in South Dakota. The plane flies on U.S.A. and Canada, close to Greenland, across the Ireland and arrives in London. Here a change of carrier for Rome Fiumicino where we come in the early afternoon the following day. We bring in the memory of a long journey and an umbrella each, remedies Line at Park Hotel in New York the first night and we were very comfortable.