Arriving the 24th of december, on a crisp, clear, beautiful California day at San Francisco International Airport. What a view, over Point Reyes, the Golden Gate and turning towards the landing runway along the Silicon Valley.

Don’t care about that crew shuttle, lets get a convertible. So we got a Chevrolet Camaro, indeed, a bright red one! Not the most economic car we ever rented, but in december, with this weather, who would resist.

Yes, we’ll take that upgrade, never mind that we will have to get stuck in that traffic jam for about one hour.

After some well needed grocery shopping and arriving at the hotel, the only thing left to do is to have a beer, and try to sleep.

Yay! Christmasday

Waking up, somewhere between 3 and 4 o’clock in the morning. Welcome mr. Jetlag. Let’s take a shower, and have some do-it-yourself Christmas Breakfast. Hotelbrewer Tea and Coffee with mini muffins, how balanced of a diet. Well, at least we also bought some bananas.

Anyway, that did not take very long (The “Candy Crush Saga” on the iPad delayed us a bit). So let’s get in that Chevy and drive off, Hopefully to find a Starbucks along the way for somewhat better coffee.

Some picture taking along Embarcadero towards the Golden Gate, at 5 o’clock in the morning. It did give us an opportunity to get this picture of the Oakland Bay Bridge at night. Wondering what that big light at the other side is.

No traffic to speak off at this hour (and day), so we cross the Golden Gate and take some more pictures.

When driving past Sausalito, there is a Starbucks opening up… And we aren’t even the only customers. Some weirdos with laptops are there already. So just a Tall Mocha and a Latte to go please.

We did not have a real destination, but we drive through the wineries in Sonoma, crossing the Marin Headlands and return via the coastal route US1 back to Muir Woods and Sausalito. Taking pictures from an open car is quite easy. However the temperature dropped to the lower 30's in the valleys. Even keeping the heater on full hot did not cure this cold.

It took much more time than anticipated, crossing the hills towards the Pacific Coast. But we finally made it, and turned south again along the US1.

We were thinking of going to Muir Woods, because most stuff is closed on Christmas. Getting near the place, we see that not only we, but all of San Francisco had the same idea… Traffic jam and no parking space, so we went on to Sausalito. At least there we found a good lunch, not good coffee.

After this, we need to return the car at the airport, and take the BART back to the city to be back in time for Christmas Dinner.

Crossing the Golden Gate again and through the city did take some more time with all those traffic lights. But nevertheless we returned the car in time, got on the BART and stepped out on Market Street, near our hotel. A quick shower, and ironing of my shirt, and we were ready for dinner with the crew.

The Old Clam House

They say it is the oldest restaurant, still at the same place. About 160 years old. It took three taxis to get all of us to the restaurant, but we got there. Clam Chowder as a starter, seafood main dish off course, with a nice bottle of Californian wine, and some Tiramisu as dessert.

Well past our bedtime, we slept till about 8:30 to be in time for the hotel’s breakfast.

The day after Christmas

Again, a very nice, sunny day, on which we just walked along Embarcadero, having a nice cup of coffee at the Pier 1 Starbucks, sitting in the sun. Pondering what to do next. Our route took us along the Embarcadero, Pier 39, then along Columbus back in the city. Having lunch at “The World of Nanking”.

Some shopping was on order, and thinking of the dinner plans tonight. Dinner would definately be italian. Our "standard" little place with the divided door on Columbus, called l'Osteria del Forno.

Some really good homemade Ravioli and some vegetable Lasagna with a good red wine made for a lovely dinner.

The last day, again, started early. (Jetlag shifts about half an hour per day towards the local time, reportedly). But we would not be here for 18 days, maybe in another holiday then. Today is time for a quick up-and-down "the Battery" on a rented racing bike from Pacific Bicycles.

From the hotel, towards and along Embarcadero and Chrissy Field over the Golden Gate and then the great climb of the Battery, and back, took me one and a half hour. A good time for the shape I'm in at the moment.

I was just in time for a beautiful sunrise, overlooking the Bay towards the Golden Gate and the city of San Francisco.