Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Sittin' on the dock of the bay...

Pin It Now!

Remember that song by Otis Redding "The Dock of the Bay"? Well, I was sittin' on a deck above a dock of the San Francisco Bay last weekend with my friends Kim and Natasha and that song came to mind. To me, there is nothing better than sitting at an outside restaurant and it's even better if the restaurant happens to be on the water...and it's even better when you're with friends that make you laugh so hard you cry which is what happens every time I'm out with these two! The three of us go out for lunch and shopping once a month (last month it was Carmel) and this month we chose to go to Sausalito which is just on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. Since we were in that area I told my friends that we had to have lunch in Tiburon, which is a few minutes away. There is a great place to eat there and that photo above was taken from our table at Sams...
My old high school friend Donnae introduced me to this place in the late 80s. It's the best place in the world to sit back and relax with some good food but it's also a great place to people-watch. Yep, we did a lot of people watching. I took this photo below of my friends as a cover because we really wanted a photo of the guy in the black jacket and black visor because he looked like a younger version of George Clooney! Can you see him? That was some pretty tricky picture taking! lol I'm going to be so embarrassed if someone that reads my blog knows him!
The food was great! Kim and I had a Caesar Salad with Grilled Salmon....
Natasha had a Garden Salad with Grilled Chicken...
When we weren't looking at the George Clooney look-alike we had a beautiful view of the water, boats and homes on the hill. Smile Natasha!
After lunch we walked around a bit...

and then we hopped in the car and took the short drive over to Sausalito. I snapped this photo from the back seat....

Okay, here we are in Sausalito....

There is a great view over the bay to the San Francisco skyline....


Smile Natasha....

Then we strolled though the town and enjoyed site seeing and shopping...






This shop below (Georgiou) had beautiful clothes and the prices were pretty good too...


I always notice the flowers....


Yummy San Francisco sour dough bread...

This guy is balancing rocks. It was amazing to watch....

They aren't glued, just balanced like this...

You can see him doing this on YouTube, click here. It's unbelievable!

It was a great day but it was time to go home, which is only about 1 hour away, but first we have to go over this....
The Golden Gate Bridge. I used to call it the Golden Great Bridge when I was little. I still think that sounds better...

View from the sunroof...
When you get off the bridge you see this beautiful building, The Palace of Fine Arts...
While we were driving through San Francisco we saw a bunch of camera crews. They are filming the new show Parenthood in the city. I LOVE that show! We didn't see any of the stars though, just the crews taking down the equipment.

We had such a great day! The plan is to go to Napa next month so I'll take you along to the wine country with us! Even more exciting, we are planning a weekend trip to Las Vegas in September for my 50th birthday!!!

[signature.gif]

75 comments:

(eddas) said...

What a wonderful day you had:)
eddaHugs

Anonymous said...

thank you for the virtual tour. I feel as if I've visited there myself now :o)

sadie said...

ooh, not anonymous, Sadie, from England.

cottonrose.blogspot.com

:O)

Unknown said...

How wonderful! Gorgeous photos.

The Charm House said...

Oh my goodness.... The Balancing Rocks is incredible...
Thanks,
Yvette

Pam said...

So pretty..and it looks like you had a great time.

Susan said...

Hi Cindy...Thanks for the great tour. Loved it! Sincerely, Susan

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Looks like you all had a great time and a fun day. One of my favorite places to visit. Hugs, Marty

Linecas have said...

Thank you so much for the tour Cindy. i have not been over the jet but when I read your post I was almost there. Fabulous!=)
What a beutiful place that was to. That clothes shop was completely to die for. Wish I could go there.=)

Lille Persille said...

What a wonderful day! My boyfriend and I visited San Fran and the area around the week before christmas - and fell in love with it!! I really hope to come back soon. -LOVE IT-

Hugs from Norway:)

Lynn said...

ISN'T SAN FRANCISCO TOTALLY BEAUTIFUL! THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR VISIT THERE! MY SON LIVES IN CA. AND SF REALLY IS GORGEOUS!

BLESSINGS,
~LYNN

Blondie's Journal said...

What a wonderful post, Cindy! Great food, great friends, great sites... I have never been to San Francisco, but the pictures have me convinced I need to take a nice trip! Thanks for sharing your magical day! :-)

xoxo
Jane

Kathysue said...

Cindy what a great day trip. I love Sausalito. I have not been there for years, I think I will take a visit there. That basket of flowers was breathtaking as was the rock-balancer. Thanks for the virtual day trip, Happy Wednesday to YOU!! Kathysue

Sue said...

Wish I was with you!

Beverly @ My Sew Sweet Studio said...

Wonderful tour. I haven't been there in so many years. Great day for beautiful pictures and as usual yours werr fantastic.

My Cottage Charm said...

thanks for the trip...closest I'll ever get to the Golden "Great" Bridge. :)
It's so funny you took the pic of the George Clooney look alike!.... you girls are so bad! LOL
You're certainly going to enjoy your trip to Vegas. My husband and I went there on business before and had a blast! I bet I took 300 or more pictures!
Have a great day!
Melissa

Marilyn said...

It looks so clear looking back across the bay! The two times we were in San Francisco the days were hazy and cool--even tho' it was July! Thanks for taking me back to Sausalito, one of the places we visited on our honeymoon.

I would be enjoying all the blossoming pots as the flowers are gorgeous! Balancing the rocks is an amazing fete. I'd probably sneeze and send them to the sea. Thanks for sharing. ♥♪

Meadowsweet Cottage said...

Stop! You're making me so homesick for my old stomping grounds, lol.

I agree with ya--good friends and a visit to The City (or nearby) is a recipe for a perfect day!

vignette design said...

Hi Cindy,
One of these days we are going to bump into each other! I had a similar day last weekend, except we were in Mill Valley! Took pics of the bridge and the City too! Isn't it fun to be a tourist in our lovely corner of the world? We are so lucky. It looks like you had such a fun day. You reminded me that I must eat at Sam's again.

Susan Freeman said...

What a terrific post! Your photos made me feel just like I went on a mini vacation, and boy oh boy do I need one!! Thanks for the respite!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Nancy's Notes said...

Thank you for sharing your incredibly wonderful trip with us! Each and every photograph was beautiful! I love San Francisco! Oh how I remember the song, Sitting On the Dock on the Bay! Great post!

Unknown said...

Fantastic this virtual tour! You have a wonderfull blog!!!

Andrea at Opulent Cottage said...

Your photos are amazing! We have been to Sausalito several times, and I want to go back so badly I could cry! Thanks for bringing back some great memories.

Marilyn said...

Cindy,

You live in such an extraordinary part of the world! I love the SF area and you always manage to capture the charm, and the lure of the area, to perfection.

Keep taking those trips and snapping those pictures!!!

Marilyn (in Dallas)

House and Garden Boutique said...

Great scenery......always love Sausalito........bridge photos spectacular.

Nancy said...

You should work for their tourism. I'm SOLD!!!

Iowa isn't so great right now, but it can also be very beautiful. In fact Iowa means "Beautiful Land" named by the Indians.

Happy Spring,
Nancy

Anonymous said...

Thank you SO much for sharing your beautiful day. The last time I was in SF was with my brother and these pictures all brought back lovely memories! I love the flowers, what color!! Totally beautiful, made me feel like I was there again. Elizabeth

Katie@LeBeauPaonVictorien said...

Thanks for sharing those great photos of your fun day! I've never been to the West Coast.
It's so pretty in SF!

FabShabbyRoses said...

Absolutely gorgeous place to visit. Thank you so much for taking us along! I loved it!
Carolyn

Elsie said...

WOW~WOW~AND WOW!!! CINDY that was
an awesome trip. Thanks, I have
never seen the Golden Gate Bridge
up close,just saw pictures on T.V.
and pictures Daddy brought back
when he was in service (1944).
Now I can say I virtually have been
across it. Yeah! Oh, and I'll tell
my cousin that you think he looks
like George Clooney...Just kiddin'.
:O)

Elsie said...

Cindy I forgot to tell you that is
my hubby's favorite song. He had all of the Otis Redding 8-track
tapes.LOL.LOL.He used to play them
loud in his 1957 yellow Chevy with
all the windows down. LOL.LOL.

Maya @ Completely Coastal said...

Thanks for this fantastic tour!!

Did you know that Otis Redding composed this song while living in a Sausalito houseboat in 1967..., this is the link to my post (just in case you want to see and listen to the song!!)

Houseboats in Seattle, Sausalito and beyond

Maya @ Completely Coastal said...

Thanks for this fantastic tour!!

Did you know that Otis Redding composed this song while living in a Sausalito houseboat in 1967..., this is the link to my post (just in case you want to see and listen to the song!!)

http://www.completely-coastal.com/2009/11/houseboats-aka-floating-homes-one.html

Maya @ Completely Coastal said...

Sorry about the duplicate, Cindy!

Victoria said...

Hey, I know that guy in the black visor!!!! I'm kidding, I don't know him but you guys are too funny taking sneaky photo's of men! It looks beautiful, thank you for taking us on your little daytrip:)

Unknown said...

Great post Cindy... I'm on the road too... Made me miss Northern Cali tho... I used to live up there in Navato. So San Francisco and Sausalito were my stomping grounds... Your photos are fantastic as usual!
I'm on the road right not too... In South Padre Island, Texas visiting my parents as they winter over here.
Check out my photos all this week of the fun and food of South Padre Island.
~Rainey~

Tania said...

Wow cindy, great pics, I felt like i was in the back seat with you, You took me on a mini holiday. Have a great day.

deb said...

WOW that guy is awesome! How in the world...??
I remember going to Tiburon when I was about 10-11. My sister (she's 10 yrs older than me) had friends in Sausalito and we met them for lunch in Tiburon. I was so charmed by that little town, even at that young age.
Looks like you gals had a great time.
*hugs*deb

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Cindy! I am just thrilled that you are having such a good time, there is nothing better than going out with good friends. And such a lovely lovely day, and places. :) always cheering you on. xo Lidy

The Single Nester said...

What great photos! I do love SF and Sausolito. I miss it!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Thanks so much for the tour! Enjoyed it all!

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

You had such a wonderful view at lunch...and the rest of your time driving around as well! Would love a similar girls day. So fun.

Anonymous said...

yes, that looks like a great day! love the bread, of all things...but all your photos are equally delicious!

thanks for sharing
ciao bella
carmelina

Bonnie said...

Oh thank you, thank you! I visited Sausalito last September. Such a lovely, quaint town. Seeing all of your images brought back a flood of wonderful memories! Thank you so much for sharing. You have such a beautiful blog. Glad I wandered over.

Sending you sunshine,
Bonnie

Jan ~ BellaCasa said...

Thanks for sharing your trip photos, Cindy. I love to see photos of different places. It sort of makes me feel like I've been there too.

Jan

Susan B said...

Wonderful photos! Thank you for sharing your day away. I love the shots of the SF skyline. (My daughter used to play in soccer tournaments in Tiburon.)

rozetta said...

I love your pictures and am looking forward to Napa. I've never been there.

Those balancing rocks are amazing! It's all about finding the center of gravity.

~elaine~

Burlap Luxe said...

Hi Cindy,
Thank you for taking us on your S.F weekend trip, I loved every minute of it.
Boy... I miss the Bay Area :(
See you soon.

"Dore"

seanymph said...

I just moved from the bay area and it was so nice to see this pictures of where I used to wander now and then. There are things I do miss about Ca.

th said...

Cindy, You make me miss CA. Beautiful places, beautiful flowers. Thanks for bringing a little spring to my snow filled day.

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Hi CIndy~ ~
Lovely day I'm sure thanks for sharing it with us.

~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Fleur de Bee said...

Hi Cindy! Everything is just lovely!! How fun and thanks for the virtual tour! It's been a few years since I've been to San Fran, what a treat!

xo Molly

Heidi said...

Hi Cindy,
You sure get around a lot! And last weekend was a perfect one for sight seeing in the Bay area! It looks like you had a wonderful time with your two friends.
One of our favorite things to do is take the ferry from SF over to Sausalito for the afternoon. It's fun to be out on the water and see everything from that perspective! Next time we'll have to try Tiburon for lunch, too. Thanks for the tip!
Have a great day, see you tomorrow for Show and Tell.
XO
Heidi - Heart and Home

Sunnysidesue said...

Your post today made me wish I was there again. Last summer we did the Tiburon/Sausalito thing & it was so much fun. Wish I had known about Sam's! I think you live in one of the greatest areas because you're so close to so many different and gorgeous towns & the scenery is magnificent wherever you go. (I'd have to get over my constant fear of earthquakes if I lived there! :) Sue

Debra@CommonGround said...

Hi Cindy, I really enjoyed your trip, and yeah he really DOES look like George Clooney, very clever, you girls. I'm going to participate in Show and Tell tonight, I'm so excited to be part of this party. I know it will be fun!
Debra

Tricia Rose said...

You make me see it with new eyes - and I live here!! Bill Dan is a wonderful artist, but you will see even little children building cairns by the water - must be something in the sea air! It is as though everyone tries to add something for the general pleasure.

Wonderful place to live...

Alicia ~ time worn style said...

wow what i great trip, I really enjoyed seeing what its like over there felt like I was along for the ride!
alicia

Carolyn said...

Looks like a fun time!

Carolyn

Elsie said...

To Maya @ Completely Coastal~ Hubby
was cruising in his '57 in 1967
listening to Otis Redding.

Gray said...

I absolutely love your blog! I will soon be a follower. :) We are considering a trip to San Francisco, somewhere I have never been...this post makes me want to go for sure. Love the silver pieces from last week...I love collecting silver too! elegant!

grannyann said...

I loved the tour!! I have been to California but never to SF. Thanks for sharing.

Ms. Bake-it said...

Hello Cindy,

Looks like you had a fabulous day! Great pictures. Love the balancing rocks.

Thanks for the tour!

~ Tracy

Anonymous said...

Your fantastic photos always take me away to gorgeous places. I am so envious of all that warmth and sun you are experiencing.

Scribbler

Betty Jo said...

WOW! What an awesome post Cindy. You had an incredible day with your friends. I goofed up my blog and had to rebuild it. I changed the name while at it. My blog is now Cottage Palette. When you come by, please sign up as a follower again, as I lost all my followers. ♥

Susie Q said...

One of my most favorite spots n the world...San Fransisco...ooh and all the area around it!
I loved going on this tour with you and remembering all the great things about it. I long to return soon...
Love,
Sue

Dreams and Decor said...

Oh, Cindy, those are beautiful photos! I love the one of the bridge from your sunroof---very clever! And that has to be the prettiest hanging basket I've ever seen! Looks like you & your friends had a great time! Thanks so much for taking us on the tour with you! I loved it! Can't wait for the next one! Patti in Texas

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I feel like I've traveled with you! Sights I have never seen...so wonderful! Thanks for taking me along on your adventure! ♥

yogapaws said...

hello,
There are rock balancers in Dana Point (OC-South CA) too! I didn't realize it is a global pass time.

I have tried(ha-ha) & it really is relaxing.

Adrienne said...

Oh, Cindy - You made me so homesick for the City where I left my heart many years ago. I went to college there and last summer my sweetheart and I (and my best girlfriend from college days and her hubby) met there on vacation before we attended our college reunion. Today I was minding my own business and trying to do some housework when I relaxed a bit to catch up on some blogs. That's when I suddenly became so 'homesick' to go back to the Bay Area. Your photos are fantastic and I love the descriptions you shared. Can't wait to go back and head for Sausalito and Tiburon. Will definitely check out the places you shared. Thanks for getting me away from my work!
~Adrienne~

DreamgirlLisa said...

I really enjoyed looking at your pictures, what a great day! My parents used to take my sister and I to Sausalito when we were young, we'd take the ferry over from SF. I've only taken my girls once, and it was when they were little. You reminded me we should definitely go this summer when my daughter is home from college :)

countrycottage said...

For my 50th birthday I will go to USA for a month on July
Hope I will have time to go to Sausalito when I will be 4 days in San Francisco because it seems so beautiful

Cathy (France)

Debbie Petras said...

Cindy, I'm so glad I returned to see your photos of this trip. Sam's was not the restaurant where I got engaged though. But I do remember it from an episode of Giada's when she had a weekend get away show. She sat outside.

I noticed the photo of The Inn Above Tide in Sausalito. My husband and I were walking in this area and stopped in to check this place out. The photos of the rooms are awesome and the views are fantastic. We marked it as a place we hope to one day return and stay.

Every photo was wonderful. Such great reminders for me of San Francisco area; a very special place.

Blessings,
Debbie

Deb Harvey said...

It's been a while since we've been to San Francisco, and your pictures reminded me how much I love that city! Need to plan a trip...soon! I've never been to Sam's, so we'll have to give it a try! Looks great!

Thank you!!!

Maria Costello said...

WE were there on Saturday and Sunday! My husband gave me a gift of a trip to San Fran for X-Mas and we spent 5 days in the area, from last Friday until Tuesday of this week!!

Loved Sausalito and ALL of San Fran. Hope to go back soon.

Janet said...

dy,
I love Sausalito and remember seeing those bushes with the gorgeous blue flowers, do you know what they are?? The are breathtaking!