Once we got to Monterey, we only had energy to eat some dinner and watch some mindless TV before falling asleep. Our motel was right next to an In-N-Out Burger, so we split a chocolate shake for dessert, and it was a sweet and happy ending to the night. We got up nice and early to to check out Monterey. Once again, fog was the main attraction.



Last time we were here a couple years ago, we spotted some deer by our motel. As we passed it this time, we saw them again.



The famous 17 Mile Drive is quite a sight. Last time we drove it, I was getting mad at it for hoarding so much beauty in such a secluded and exclusive area. It's a gated community that charges $9.25 to drive the road, and each house is a bigger mansion than the one next to it.



I didn't take any photos of the houses out of principle, but I did pick up a real estate magazine. I found a home listed for 35 million dollars. You know you're filthy rich when your realtor is Sotheby's.



The coastline views are stunning though.



It's difficult to shoot the Lone Cypress in a new way, but I tried my long exposure technique on it in hopes of capturing somethig unique. The fog was a literal and figurative wet blanket on the morning though- this is not the time of the year to shoot landscapes in this part of California if you want pretty skies.





Once we were on our way north to San Francisco, we decided that the best place to have lunch would be with the Redwoods.



And windsurfers.





Once we made it to San Francisco, we were too tired to do anything except have dinner and go to bed. We ate a couple blocks away from our vacation rental in a chinese restaurant which claimed to have served the Rolling Stones back in the 60s.



Meh. At least it made good leftovers. At least we were finally in the city, ready to really get started on our vacation.