@ossobuco,
Well, Walter and Ulla are on their way to Boston, so I'll try to provide some info on their visit to Northern California, and our SF Meets.
On Saturday, I drove to San Carlos to pick up Walter and Ulla to show them some of the San Francisco highlights. Unfortunately, I had forgotten to take my camera, so you'll have to wait until Walter posts them. We first went to the downtown area, found parking, then walked to Chinatown before meeting at Scala's Bistro. Cyclo showed up, and we enjoyed lunch in a little cubby table close to the entrance. Lunch at Scala's Bistro at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel not far from Union Square was very good. After we said our goodbyes to Cyclo, we started the tour by stopping at the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge where parking was non-existent, so I dropped them off for them to have a view for about 15-minutes before I picked them up and drove to the north end of the bridge for a better view with the San Francisco skyline in the background. We drove through Sausalito just to give them a quicky look of this tourist crowded town, drove back across the bridge, and headed west towards the Cliff House where we enjoyed snacks and beverage. From there, we visited the science museum at Golden Gate Park. It was already 4PM, so the people at the member entrance let the three of us through to visit for about one hour without having to pay. I have a membership card that allows me to take one guest into the museum. I showed them the albino gator, then went downstairs to the aquarium to look at the sea life - some behind huge glass tanks. This is one of my favorite places to take out-of-town guests.
I dropped them off at their hotel, then drove home. The traffic in San Francisco was very heavy, because of the Memorial Day weekend.
On Sunday, Walter and Ulla went shopping at the Gilroy Factory Outlet mall.
On Monday, Walter and Ulla drove down to Sunnyvale, and I drove them to Old Sacramento to visit the train museum, and to walk in Old Sacramento where I grew up. We had lunch at Rio restaurant, and my brother and his grandson walked in when we were finished with lunch. They walked from 10th and L Street, and walked back to the capitol. We drove, but they were at the capitol before we arrived. My brother was Walter and Ulla's guide for about 1.5 hour we spent there.
Here's my travelogue on our trip to Sacramento.
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/c.i.222/1/1306849247/tpod.html
That evening, I heard from georgeob that he could visit with us for dinner on Tuesday, so I coordinated the times with Walter.
On Tuesday about 4:15, my wife and I picked up Walter and Ulla, and drove to the St Francis Yacht Club for a drink and to enjoy the view. We were early, so we spent time at the bar couch to relax. George walked in about 5:30, and he offered us drinks.
After about an hour, George drove us to the Tadich Grill on California Street; the oldest restaurant in California (established in 1849). Since they do not take reservations, we had a drink before being seated for dinner. George, Lucy, and Ulla had the petrole sole (recommended by George and our waiter), Walter had the salmon, and I had the seafood grill with scallops, shrimp, and crab. It was delicious, and lived up to their reputation for good food and service. It was crowded when we arrived, but almost empty when we left. It was an enjoyable meal with friends.
Now, for some pictures.
)
