Saturday, May 10 was our transition day. We would be leaving San Francisco and exploring more of California.
Our day started with a disappointing breakfast and service at the hotel’s restaurant. Hampton Inn does breakfast better.
We checked out and made the short walk to rent the car.
This started well too. They couldn’t find the Commander’s original reservation. Once that was sorted out, the real excitement started—driving out of the city.
I only made one significant error in leaving the city, I missed the overlook stop for the Golden Gate Bridge.
From that miscue, we found our way into Tiburon. A pretty town on the bay. Here, we were to meet the Commander’s sister, Abby, husband, Art, Betsy’s niece, Ashley, husband Rob, and most importantly their precious daughter, Bridgette.
This would be the Commander’s first visit with Bridgette. She was excited.
Gradually, we all met in the designated parking lot to catch the ferry over to Angel’s Island.
The ferry ride to Angel Island is short and pretty. Views abound in every direction.
Angel Island’s founding dates back to 1775 when the Spanish ship, San Carlos, entered San Francisco Bay.
If you make a trip to San Francisco, you must set aside time to visit Angel Island State Park. The beauty of the island and its impact on California and America are remarkable.
The island has been a “cattle ranch, U. S. Army post, from 1910-1940 the processing center for thousands of immigrants, and in World War II German and Japanese prisoners of war were held here.” (California State Parks)
Additionally, Angel Island was “a transition point for U.S. military personnel returning from the Pacific following World War II, the 50s and 60s it was the site of a Nike missile base, and today, two active Coast Guard stations make the island their home.” (California State Parks)
We opted to take a tram ride to assorted points around the island. This guided tour not only took us to remote points, but afforded us the opportunity to walk around at numerous stops. Many of the buildings from the island’s assorted uses are still in place. These snapshots into the past gave us a feel for how the immigration process worked. That important history combined with the island’s natural beauty makes quite a background for storytelling.
The shoreline is a mix of rolling hills filled with shrubs, trees, wildflowers, and rock. Most noticeable in the plant landscape is the Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans).
We worked our way back to our entry point.
Soon the ferry had us back in Tiburon. Ashley and Rob led us to a waterfront restaurant, Sam’s, where we enjoyed a late lunch, and Bridgette continued to be a happy traveler.
It is always special to catch up with family, and Tiburon and Angel Island provided another pretty setting for a good visit. We said our goodbyes, and started our drive to Novato.
In Novato, we checked into our hotel. Then, we opted for some more steps as we took a short hike at the Buck Gulch Falls Trail, a part of the Ignacio Valley Open Space Preserve.
After the hike, we stopped at the HopMonk Tavern for dinner. This is basically a beer bar with live music. A very competent trio was playing, and I enjoyed a highly praised California beer, Pliny The Elder.
Our drive back to the hotel was quiet.
Tomorrow would bring another opportunity to explore a section of the California coast where we had never visited.
And that made me think more about Angel Island.
From its first Spanish explorers to the last immigrants, I wonder where they found their courage to leave their homelands and make this journey?
might be baloney 