NoCal

I'm very fortunate that I often get to visit Joe in California while he's still commuting to VMware Palo Alto office Monday-Friday. On occassions , when he pulls back-to-back weeks, I usually make a trip to Northern Cali to keep him company. While I'm there, during the week, I do a lot of walking and exploring on my own and I get caught up on my reading; and on the weekends we try to hit a different town or land mark each day.

I was there over a week ago and our Saturday together began at the office as Joe's team had a lot of important changes to make to the system. So, he made me a frothy nice capuccino to enjoy while he took care of business.



After spending the morning at the office, we headed out to Santa Cruz.

Our rental car was a convertible chrysler sebring and we basically "Followed the Sun"




There was a Band of Teenage Brothers/ Friends fishing at the pier and they were having a really good day.

They thought this was an octopus, but an older gentleman told them that it was a giant star fish, which they threw back into the water.


They also caught 4 fish in a matter of 5 minutes


Taking work phone calls while ordering lunch at the pier.

Lunch is served: Clam Chowder Bread Bowl , fried clams & calamari....AND Fish & Chips.....YES, our eyes were much bigger than our stomachs.


Saturday ended up being a great day !

Joe can get this ahi meal at the VMware Cafeteria for around $7.00. Doesn't seem fair, does it ?


I did make sure ALL of my dinners in Cali were Fresh Fish like this pan sauteed calamari steak.


On Sunday, our original plan was to drive north towards Sausalito and check out the massive redwood trees at a National Park, but it was dark and rainy to the North, so we headed out to San Jose. Someone in Joe's office reccommended that we check out Santana Row, a one-of-a-kind neighborhood that blends a distinctive mix of living, shopping and dining experiences. It's a neighborhood of 42 acres, or roughly ten city blocks. There are currently 514 residential town homes, lofts and villas, 70 retail shops and boutiques, 20 full service restaurants, nine spas and salons, CineArts movie theatre and boutique Hotel Valencia.

We began our Santana Row Adventure with Brunch at Consuelo's Mexican Restaurant. We both had the Chilaquiles Verdes con Pollo and cafe de olla. It was one of the most authentic restaurant mexican meals we've had in a very long time. We meant to take pictures, but the food smelled so good, we just devoured it !



People like to "Cruise" down the Main Street, with their "loaded" nice cars and motorcycles. There's a lot of interaction between the "cruisers" and you can literally feel the positive energy flowing. This is The Valencia, Boutique Hotel.



Joe's Dream Car, The Bentley.


Smooth Music.......the guitarist looked like Carlos Santana's brother, and he was selling a lot of cd's.


Giant Chase Game


The Farmer's Market was closing when we finally made it to that side of the row, but we did get to see some of the incredibly colorful veggies and flowers.






They hold a Singing Competition on Sundays, in a Park in the middle of Santana Row, and next to the Farmer's Market. Anyone can get up there and sing their hearts out.


Our favorite singer was only 8 years old. She sang Michael Jackson's "I'll Be There" and she brought down the house !



A Break of Green Tea Latte & Capuccino with an Almond Tart, just before heading back to our hotel.



I can't wait to do it again. Maybe next time, the Sun will lead us North and we'll get to see the redwood trees.