California Republic

From the beach to the mountains, crossing wild forests and endless plains
Friday, April 1, 2016 to Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Introduction: exciting field trips out of the city

The San Francisco offers endless things to do. There is no eminent need to leave the city, except to experience even more! California seems to be the perfect State, reaching from the Pacific Ocean to the Sierra mountain range. In between there are countless hills, valleys, forests and a huge plain. I realised, that there is more to see than first anticipated. So I left the city for multiple individual short trips.

To the south: high-tech and scenic routes

Driving from San Francisco to the south is quite an experience. For example, when riding the bicycle along the Bay, passing by some of the most prestigious high-tech cities: Menlo Park, Palo Alto and Mountain View. Their downtowns itself are rather unspectacular, but the atmosphere is unique. Soon, this bike trail will connect the entire Bay Area. The outer route along the Pacific Ocean is even more scenic; packed with wild nature, steep cliffs and sandy beaches. Carmel-by-the-Sea with its galleries and historic houses is a true charm. Unfortunately, the water was far too cold for me to swim.

To the north: over the hills and through the forests

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge opens the door to the beautiful north. This is where the Russian River wriggles through the hills of French vineyards (pinot noire). Together with a dear friend, I was exploring all the exciting places around Santa Rosa. From the hill tops, we overlooked California’s bread basket and saw volcano Mount Konocti. We hiked through the redwood forests and danced at the first festival of the summer. I was astonished by the diversity and beauty of this small area.

Sierras: being a snowboard instructor

Snowboarding in the USAinfo-icon was very high on my bucket list. Because of all other activities, I nearly missed out on it. But then I met the perfect companionship to drive to the mountains. Two times I could join a group of enthusiastic Chinese. Together we drove to the Sierras and stayed in a cosy cabin. They cooked authentic food and I taught them how to snowboard. Due to the warm temperature, the snow was extremely slushy. I improvised with borrowed and rented equipment. It was so much fun, I want to go again!

Yosemite: follow the trails of the bear

This natural wonder I also nearly missed. Only on the last weekend before leaving did I make it. My awesome friend with a convertible car blessed me with a fulminant farewell. The drive itself was already a pleasure, feeling the wind in our hair: yeehaa! In the national park, we first hiked on paved paths until we took the detour to follow the bear’s trail. The only thing missing was a camping fire, creepy stories and roasted marshmallows. Nevertheless, a great trip to remember.

Sacramento: from gold rush to politics

Everybody told me, there is nothing to see in Sacramento. I did not listen to them and set out to explore the capital of California anyways. Since the city holds many governmental departments, on a Saturday, the empty streets remind of a zombie movie. However, there are some noteworthy attractions. In the Capitol and Old Sacramento, I learned about the gold rush and history of California. Where else than in the Crocker art museum could I gaze at original masterpieces of Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei? But also other American artists surprised me with their critical paintings.

Summary: endless places to explore and enjoy

I might repeat myself, but California astonished me over and over again. Even though I have heard a lot about this State, I have never dreamt about this diversity. I can only compare it with Central Europeinfo-icon, where you drive from the sea through hills and forests to the mountains. Here you have everything compressed in one State, accessible on wide roads. I have by far not seen everything, but it was enough to leave with a full bag of memories.

A big thanks to everybody who shared these wonderful moments with me.

My waypoints on this journey

San Mateo - lovely and quiet residential township in between endless high-tech centers
lovely and quiet residential township in between endless high-tech centers
Stanford University - reluctantly strolling through the notorious campus of the prestigious campus
reluctantly strolling through the notorious campus of the prestigious campus
Dodge Ridge Ski Resort - getting a sunburn on my first snowboarding experience in North America
getting a sunburn on my first snowboarding experience in North America
Cold Springs - spending an epic weekend with a Chinese friends in the mountains
spending an epic weekend with a Chinese friends in the mountains
Mountain View - spending a lazy, but sunny afternoon in the epicenter of the Silicon Valley
spending a lazy, but sunny afternoon in the epicenter of the Silicon Valley
Bay Trail - slowing down and enjoying the beauty of the bay area on an old bicycle
slowing down and enjoying the beauty of the bay area on an old bicycle
Santa Rosa - enjoying a sunny day in the colourful art district and green park
enjoying a sunny day in the colourful art district and green park
Sebastopol - where spiritual and artsy Americans celebrate pinot noir and crafty artworks
where spiritual and artsy Americans celebrate pinot noir and crafty artworks
Bodega Bay - there are no dangerous birds in sight, but I got nearly blown away
there are no dangerous birds in sight, but I got nearly blown away
Russian River - crossing an important river while driving from the ocean to the forest
crossing an important river while driving from the ocean to the forest
Redwood Forest - admiring and hugging some of the oldest and tallest trees on planet earth
admiring and hugging some of the oldest and tallest trees on planet earth
Old Sacramento - walking through the dusty streets of a township in the wild wild west
walking through the dusty streets of a township in the wild wild west
Sunset Sound System - opening the outdoor dancing season with a great daytime rave by the lake
opening the outdoor dancing season with a great daytime rave by the lake
California State Capitol - politics somewhat between the "House of Cards" and "Kindergarten Cop"
politics somewhat between the "House of Cards" and "Kindergarten Cop"
Crocker Art Museum - Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei together with others in one single exhibition!
Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei together with others in one single exhibition!
Sacramento - pretty quiet on a weekend, but there is still plenty of stuff to do and see
pretty quiet on a weekend, but there is still plenty of stuff to do and see
Palo Alto - not really impressive, but utterly important township of the Silicon Valley
not really impressive, but utterly important township of the Silicon Valley
Lake Tahoe - driving around the clear lake on a misty day, crossing the border to Nevada
driving around the clear lake on a misty day, crossing the border to Nevada
Northstar Ski Resort - snowboarding in the rain and getting soaked is not so much fun after all
snowboarding in the rain and getting soaked is not so much fun after all
Heavenly Mountain Resort - feeling like in heaven when snowboarding in a thick layer of dense clouds
feeling like in heaven when snowboarding in a thick layer of dense clouds
Sausalito - taking the ferry across the bay for a quick escape from busy San Francisco
taking the ferry across the bay for a quick escape from busy San Francisco
Pigeon Point Lighthouse - having a quick stop at the lighthouse on the ride to the south along the coast
having a quick stop at the lighthouse on the ride to the south along the coast
Wilder Ranch - passing by a beautiful sandy bay on the drive along the West Coast
passing by a beautiful sandy bay on the drive along the West Coast
Carmel-By-The-Sea - a small fairy tale township with endless art galleries and sweet candy stores
a small fairy tale township with endless art galleries and sweet candy stores
Half Dome Village - living the perfect camp life - except the missing camp fire and marshmallows
living the perfect camp life - except the missing camp fire and marshmallows
Yosemite National Park - climbing up the trails and gazing down the huge waterfall into the valley
climbing up the trails and gazing down the huge waterfall into the valley