Quick Get-Away to the Coast

A four day weekend presented itself last week, and my husband suggested a trip to the coast. Libby visited her friends at Carly’s, Alyssa went to her Mom’s and we were left to decide where to go.

Pacific Grove was fully booked, so I looked to Half Moon Bay and booked our accommodations. I last visited Half Moon Bay (HMB) 20 years ago. There we celebrated Joshua and Annie’s wedding on the beach. And exactly 20 years ago we also celebrated my Dad’s 80th birthday. With those two celebrations I did not visit the surrounding area so this would be a new adventure.

Got an early start, and stopped for breakfast in Davis. Solomon’s Deli beckoned us.

Travel should take about two hours, but unfortunately this was Fleet Week and traffic was tough getting through San Francisco. No problem. David brought along cds of rare Doo-Wops, and we only had to figure out what lane to stay in to pay cash on the Bay Bridge. Seems like other travelers were having the same problem with lane switching going on. We let this stranded car ahead of us, and when we got to to toll we were told the driver had paid for us. Nice!

Bored with traffic delays so I got out my camera and had some fun with my camera. At home I played around just a bit with Luminar 2018.

Yerba Buena Island Tunnel

Montara State Beach was the first beach we stopped at.

Found this rock left in memory

Single perfect California Poppy

Arriving in HMB we found our hotel, and with nice weather, a balcony overlooking the golf course I sat outside and read. Currently I am reading Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver. Her words hit the paper beautifully. Drawn in slowly. Hints of a more powerful meaning are quietly dropped. I’m taking my time reading this novel.

View from our balcony

A swing and a hit

Explored the Main Street checking out the shops. Used my Fuji x100F for the street shots.

Main Street in historic Half Moon Bay

Since 1898. Imagine!

It is obvious that this town is gearing up for the big Pumpkin Festival happening next weekend. Glad we decided to beat the crowds. Plenty of orange happening.

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Sam’s Chowder House was our dining destination. Ordered New England Chowder, and a Lobster Roll to share. Added a glass of wine and Key Lime Pie for dessert. So good!

Such a great day on the coast. Part 2 – coming soon! Tomorrow I’m off with my friends and camera.

Determined to keep on enjoying my photography

The hot summer weather puts a crimp in my outdoor exploration. Sacramento has been hot, and dry with little humidity.

My group of fellow photogs are having a hard time coming up with new places to explore. Sometimes it is good to go back to the same place because after I review my work I come up with new ideas to get a better capture. Sometimes I enter the venue with a different perspective. And sometime, I use a different lens or in this case a new camera.

So to keep on learning, lightening my camera load, and getting ready for future adventures I recently switched to the Fuji X system. Now I need to get out in different circumstances and take more photographs. The only way to get to know the camera is to get out and take pictures.

A familiar destination is Old Sacramento. For the locals we call it Old Sac. There we hoped to practice some street photography. With expected high temperature we arrived early just to find the town pretty empty. Because this was the day after Labor Day many shops were closed. With new camera in hand my spirits were lifted just being out and about with good company.

Candy Heaven, located right near the parking garage on Front Street, always welcomes customers and photographers. And I even can grab a salt water taffy.

Smiley Faces available at Candy Heaven

Another candy shop invites temptation. Not this time.

The Delta King brought me to the dock where I looked for a new shot.

In my next few shots I tried to capture a story in my street images. I also experimented with a new plug-in Luminar 2018 for post processing.

Outside the Railroad Terminal.

Not racing the trains, this time!

So in love…

So far I am very pleased with my new photographic tools! Ready for another day out with my friends and camera!

More People Watching on Pier 39

Embarcadero means a “place to embark”. Looking up this information led me to this 1906 documentary, A Trip Down Market Street. Click on the link and travel down the road. Taken from a cable car weeks before the 1906 earthquake. It is amazing to see what traffic was like then.

My friend and I walked down the Embarcadero to Pier 39. Stop for lunch and do more people watching.

Vendor stocking his shop

So many food choices. Go healthy or not?

Careful those knives are sharp!

Up, up and away. Having Fun!

Cute shop on Pier 39

Love the vest

Throwing a kiss. Spray paint sidewalk artist has music, movement, and spirit!

Balloon artist not happy to have a photo taken. Oh well.

So many cell phones. What is so interesting?

Watch out for Gulls!

Old Port Gate frame the ship

Explanation of height restrictions on the Segway

Serious driving skills being tested

And the winner is…

When you grab some fast food you are warned to watch out for birds. They are known for helping themselves to your delicious seafood and sour dough bread.

Gulls Rule at the Fishermen’s Grotto

He earned his tip

Arriving at Pier 41 to take the ferry back to Vallejo.

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Fun day and lots of fun images to add to my memories.

San Francisco People Watching

It is summer, and in Fair Oaks that means it is hot. A photography meet-up group planned to meet in Vallejo and travel by ferry into San Francisco. Great escape from the heat, and great way to capture some images with my new Fuji x100f.

The Vallejo Ferry goes to the San Francisco Ferry Building or Pier 41 near Fisherman’s Wharf. The drive is easy, and parking early on this Saturday morning was simple. The parking fee and round-trip ferry ride cost $22.00 (for Seniors). Cheaper than finding parking around the Embarcadero. I like hassle free travel.

We pass under the Oakland Bay Bridge

Satisfied with the image

Arrived at the Ferry Building and right away the group scattered. I like to spend the day photographing with a friend, and so Anne and I forged ahead. Preparing for this day I decided that I would focus on little stories or interactions between people. There was no shortage of people out enjoying the day. The San Francisco Ferry Building was getting busy when we arrived just before 10 a.m.

Artisan Cheese discussion

An interested by-stander

Sampling some chocolate

Lighting was tricky, and we decided to head out to walk the Embarcadero. Plan to meet @ Pier 41 for our ferry ride home at 4 pm.

He shows me what he was eating. Looks yummy.

Families, tourists, and locals crowd the street.

The little red haired girl caught my friend’s eye. I was interested in how the rest of the family reacted to her getting the attention.

There are lots of ways people travel down the Embarcadero.

Many tour buses allow for on/off possibilities

A modern version of a rickshaw

Go-cart tours stopped in traffic

Skooter power

Attention Grabbers from Alcatraz

Segway tourists take off

My friend and I click away as we walk down the street.

Spotted this lone man waiting to cross the street

Having trouble taking everything with him into the restroom

It is about lunch time, and we arrive at Pier 39.

I leave you with the promise to post more from this adventure soon.

Street photography is fun! Where do you go when you want to capture your images?

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A Photo's Worth

Words & Images by marlene frankel

Northern California

Quick Get-Away to the Coast

Determined to keep on enjoying my photography

More People Watching on Pier 39

San Francisco People Watching