San Francisco, 5/6/2015-5/7/2015

We got up and left Prunedale around 10:00 AM.

Today I had my annual eye doctor appointment in Walnut Creek, California (about 100 miles away). It takes such a long time because the traffic is generally pretty bad in the Bay area. We saw that we had plenty of time so we stopped at the Stoneridge Mall, near Walnut Creek, and had lunch at a Cheesecake Factory. (Got to mark another one off the list.) Michael and I split a bowl of really good Mexican chicken soup, a pasta dish and some lettuce wraps. Yummy. Didn’t have room for any dessert but….next time.

A Cheesecake Factory she hasn't eaten at, so we had to stop. — A Cheesecake Factory she hasn’t eaten at, so we had to stop.

Mexican vegetable soup and it was really good.

We shared a pasta dish that wasn't our favorite. — We shared some of a pasta dish that wasn’t our favorite.

We shared chicken lettuce tacos and they were great.

We got into Walnut Creek and stopped at the Target there to do some shopping. We looked for a new rug for the studio, and some cleaning supplies.

We found some of the things we needed but think we’ll do better at Lowe’s or Home Depot. We got to the eye doctor right around 1:30 PM for my 1:45 PM appointment. Michael left to go get a lens cover for the camera at a nearby camera specialty store. I was finished with everything by the time he got back, which was amazing as normally it takes forever to do the dilation, the exam, and then they take pictures of the mole in my eye to make sure it hasn’t grown during the year.

We left around 3:00 PM to head to San Francisco. We had managed to get bonus time at the Worldmark in San Francisco so we could spend more time with Janet and Randolph. Such fun people. Also, they don’t have a car in the city so we thought it would be fun to show them a few things they might not get to see without a vehicle. The bonus time was for a studio hotel and it cost around $65.00 for the night. Not bad for San Francisco but the parking was going to be around $40.00 a day. Ouch! Next time we go we’re going to be dropped off or try BART into the city.

We got into the Worldmark (lots of traffic) at 590 Bush Street, San Francisco, and were able to get keys for our room as it was ready.

When we went over to the “concierge” area, we were talked into an “update” because of all the new things happening at the Worldmark and Wyndham resorts. We were “promised” it wasn’t a sales pitch and it would be to our benefit to go and learn. We were even given a piece of paper where she wrote on it what was going to happen. We agreed – reluctantly – to go to the breakfast in the morning, get some kind of book delivered to us, a $50.00 Visa gift card, and (we switched later from $75.00 Visa) valet parking.

We met Janet and Randolph and went up to their room. They had a lovely one bedroom – large, modern, and lovely. No kitchen but there was a small refrigerator and a small microwave. Really nice accommodations.

Inside Janet and Randolph's 1 bedroom. — Inside Janet and Randolph’s 1 bedroom.

Small sink, counter top with a fridge and micro below.

Bedroom TV and there was a fair sized cabinet in the wall.

When we went to our room, we were surprised at how small it was (it was, after all, a hotel studio), but it was comfortable and very nice. No view to speak of, but it was clean and quiet.

Our Studio. The TV with fridge and micro below. — Our studio. The TV with fridge and micro below.

We went back to Janet and Randolph’s place (larger) and discussed where we wanted to go and what we wanted to see. We wanted Janet and Randolph to see what they wanted as we can come back and do whatever at a later date. Off we went and headed to Lombard Street to take the crookedest street in the world. What fun but it was pretty busy, even on a Thursday night. Lots and lots of pedestrians walking it too. After that we headed to Golden Gate Park and drove around to see some of the highlights. Beautiful park. Janet and Randolph haven’t ever eaten a burrito (can’t even imagine that) and were told about a place called “Pancho Villa’s” on 16th Street. We headed that way and Michael drove around while we got some food to go. We all opted for burritos, which were good but kinda dry and needed salsa or something.

China town is less than a block away. — Chinatown is less than a block away.

I like the blond highlights created by the many hands petting and thereby polishing the brass. — I like the blond highlights created by the many hands petting and, thereby, polishing the brass.

Heading down Lombard, the crookest street in the world. — Heading down Lombard, the crookedest street in the world.

Pretty houses and plants with endless tourists walking and driving by.

They are huge fledglings compared to the baby ducks we usually see.

The Conservatory of Flowers. We didn't realize that in a former life Janet and Randolph ran a nursery operation. — The Conservatory of Flowers. We didn’t realize that in a former life Janet and Randolph ran a nursery operation.

We love Segway tours and may come back for this one.

We got burritos from here. Took them back to the room, there was no parking nearby. A bit dry without the salsa bar.

Before heading back to our rooms to eat and then go to bed, we went up to Coit Tower. We were hoping the parrots would be flying about but we think they must have settled in for the night. Still, a beautiful view. We walked around a little and then drove back to the Worldmark and went our separate ways. We said we would see them in the morning.

We went to Coit Tower looking for the parrots.

Edie's favorite picture in our room. Bed time. — Edie’s favorite picture in our room. Bed time.

Good burrito (but dry) and then slept really well. We got up and headed down to the timeshare presentation at 10:30 AM. By the time we got there, all of the bacon was gone, no orange juice, and most of the apple juice was gone. Pretty slim pickings but it was good food. We got to meet our presenter, Elle. What a beautiful young woman who was so very knowledgeable. She explained the history of Worldmark, Trendwest, Wyndham, etc. She was able to explain things and answer questions. Even though we had been told that we could trade into Wyndham resorts, she explained that it was only if you had Travel Share. Still not sure if it’s worth it to us to have Travel Share. Want to do more research on it. We were out of the presentation in about an hour or so with much more knowledge about the system than when we went in.

I went upstairs and met with Janet and Randolph while Michael went to get our luggage from storage, and the car from valet parking. He called and said the car would be here soon. We all walked down to meet with him and waited for about fifteen minutes for the car to arrive. (Must be a ways away.) We headed out and went back to Golden Gate Park.

Janet and Randolph wanted to see the Conservatory of Flowers (a big white building). What a great place. Janet and Randolph bought our tickets ($5.00 per person, senior) and we went inside and saw so many beautiful things – all kinds of orchids (even one that smelled like chocolate), a plant called Dracula (very interesting and eats bugs and flies), a bat flower (looked just like a bat), and so many others. Really enjoyed it and so glad we got to see it. Found out Janet and Randolph used to own and operate a nursery and grew bat flower plants.

Back to Golden Gate Park and the Conservatory of Flowers.

Janet and Randolph kindly bought our way inside.

The flowers were so many and so beautiful. We are including just a small portion of the photo's. — The flowers were so many and so beautiful. We are including just a small portion of the photo’s.

Of all things, I really liked the floor grate.

Gabby Hayes spotted some long leafed plant.

A Dracula plant, not named after the myth but from the Latin meaning "Dragon Face". — A Dracula plant, not named after the myth but from the Latin meaning “Dragon Face”.

Edie spotted a lovely flower in the bushes.

It was cool outside and hot and steamy inside.

The plant on the left with the white blossoms smelled like chocolate.

So many orchids. Randolph told me they were easy to grow. He must have a naturally green thumb.

The Conservatory was divided into sections. This is the tropical section.

The most unusual of all the plants. The bat flower.

Edie wants to do this when we come back.

By this time it was getting late so we left them in Golden Gate Park (they said they would catch a bus with their seven day pass) and we left. Traffic was pretty bad. We stopped in Santa Clara for a quick visit with Aaron (Arla was at work). He bought our dinner (at The Falafal House) and then we left. We got home around 8:30 PM. Tired.

That was our day. Hope yours was great!