A digital travel diary. · WP v1.08 · Updated
After checking the iwindsurf.com forecast and noticing the crazy 25-30-knot winds, I decided to wing-foil at Coyote Point (since Crissy Field had wing-foiling championships and would be very busy). . . . On arrival at Coyote Point (a 45-minute drive from San Jose) via US-101, the wind was showing as 25 knots. It looked crazy windy on the water with large waves everywhere. . I…
Read More: Windy Day at Coyote Point
On Thursday, June 19th (a U.S. Holiday), Inna, Alex, and I decided to hike around Felton. Inna found a highly rated trail on AllTrails.com, called Fall Creek Trail, and we decided to hike it. . . We parked our car here (see Google Maps link). There was a small parking lot (but it was full), so we parked on the side of the road. .…
Read More: Hiking Fall Creek Trail, Felton
After checking the iwindsurf.com forecast, I decided to wing foil at the nearby Coyote Point. Inna decided to join me and watch me foil (and also stop by the nearby Equator Coffees coffee shop). . . . On arrival at Coyote Point (a 45-minute drive from San Jose) via US-101, the wind was showing as 14 knots, but the small wings used by most wing…
Read More: Wing Foiling a Coyote Point
With iwindsurf.com showing a favorable wind forecast for Saturday, June 7, 2025, Inna and I decided to drive to San Francisco so that I could wing foil at Crissy Field, and she could explore the various neighborhoods. . . I loaded up the Tesla Model Y with all my wing-foiling gear and started the drive around 10:15. There was usual traffic on the way, and…
Read More: Wing Foiling at Crissy Field
I have been listening to Hauser for a few years, so I was excited to hear that he would be touring the United States, with a stop in San Jose. I purchased tickets for the 8:00 pm show at the San Jose Civic on June 1, 2025. . . Here is a short video clip from the concert of Stjepan Hauser and Caroline Campbell performing…
Read More: Hauser – The Rebel is Back Tour
With the temperature in San Jose approaching 97 degrees Fahrenheit, we considered our escape to cooler climates. Initially, we considered visiting Crissy Field in San Francisco, but the traffic there was quite heavy (with a 90-minute drive time). . . Instead, we decided to revisit Pacifica, where temperatures were hovering around 60°F (and it was only a 50-minute drive). We loaded our Tesla Model Y…
Read More: Hike to Mori Point
For the Memorial Day weekend, Inna made reservations at the Little River Inn in Mendocino (about 200 miles north of San Jose), a 5-hour drive away. We wanted to escape the city's hustle and bustle and enjoy nature's peaceful serenity. It's been many years since we last visited Mendocino, and we were eager to get back. . . . . Friday, May 23, 2025 .…
Read More: A Short stay in Mendocino
Inna made one-day hotel reservations at the Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay for the April 5 - 6 weekend. She wanted us to explore Monterey, Carmel, and Point Lobos Natural Reserve. . Saturday, April 5, 2025 . At around 09:30, we started our long drive to Monterey via US-101. Traffic was relatively light, and we arrived at the Alta Bakery & Cafe at…
Read More: A Weekend in Monterey
Inna purchased tickets to Berkeley Rep's new production of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya. We were pleasantly surprised and have not been to Berkeley Rep for a long time. Berkeley itself was also cleaner than when I last visited. . We really enjoyed this dramatic performance, and Hugh Bonneville's acting was excellent (as expected). . . . Here are more details about Uncle Vanya (courtesy of Perplexity…
Read More: Uncle Vanya at Berkeley Rep
Before seeing Uncle Vanya at Berkeley Rep, Inna and I decided to stop by the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden in Berkeley, CA. She has heard a lot of wonderful things about this garden, and we had never even been there! . The UC Botanical Garden is a living museum open to the public featuring one of the most diverse plant collections in the United States.…
Read More: UC Berkeley Botanical Garden
For Saturday night, Inna purchased tickets to Nobody Loves You - a musical hosted by ACT in San Francisco. . Before the 20:00 performance, we stopped by the Acropolis Greek Restaurant for dinner. After sitting down, we ordered the following items: . . Appetizers: Tzatziki with Pita, Greek Salad, Parthenon Ceviche. Drinks: Sparkling Water, Golden State Apple Cider. Boris: Lamb Souvlaki. Inna: Moussaka. . We…
Read More: Nobody Loves You at A.C.T.
We haven't been to Carmel-by-the-Sea in a while, so we decided to revisit it on Saturday. . . After getting ready, we drove to Monterey at 09:30. We stopped for coffee and breakfast at the Alta Bakery & Cafe. We arrived at 10:30, parked nearby, and walked over. A long line stretched to the door, so we queued up. About twenty minutes later, we ordered…
Read More: A Day Trip to Carmel
For Inna's birthday, I had planned a two-day getaway to Calistoga, featuring rest & relaxation at the Indian Springs Resort & Spa and entertainment at Blue Note Napa, where one of her favorite flamenco guitarists, Ottmar Liebert, was performing. . Friday, February 21, 2025. After Inna and I finished work, we started our drive to Indian Springs Resort & Spa in Calistoga. There was some…
Read More: A Short Getaway to Calistoga
On President's Day, Inna and I decided to visit a few shops in Palo Alto, then walk around Stanford University's campus. . . We first stopped by De Novo Fine Contemporary Jewelry, but it was closed on Presidents' Day. The nearby Marvel Cake bakery was also closed. . We decided to stop by Cafe Venetia for coffee and pastries. We found a table outside and…
Read More: Walking around Stanford
After my usual Sunday morning tennis (from 9:00 to 10:30 at Almaden Valley Athletic Club, we decided to drive to San Francisco and explore the city. Inna also purchased tickets to the "Dear San Francisco" show at Club Fugazi at 18:00. . . When we arrived in San Francisco at 13:00, we parked at Crissy Field (where I usually wing foil and windsurf). We talked…
Read More: Dear San Francisco at Club FugaziInna purchased two tickets to The World Ballet Company's The Great Gatsby Ballet at the Heritage Theater in Campbell, CA. . The dancers were excellent, but I am not a big fan of ballet in general. Some dialogue would have helped move the story forward and clarify the relationships among the main characters. The set design was excellent and really helped to showcase the roaring…
Read More: The Great Gatsby A New Ballet
Inna purchased tickets to see Stella Heath singing a tribute concert to Ella Fitzgerald called "Stella Swings Ella". . Saturday, February 1st, 1-2pm - Stella Heath Sextet at Healdsburg Jazz Winterfest - "Stella Swings Ella" SOLD OUT . STELLA HEATH SEXTET. "Stella Swings Ella". St. Pauls Episcopal Church. 1-2pm; pre-curtain talk at noon . Setlist . Downtown Strutters Ball. Moon Ray. They All Laughed. How…
Read More: Stella Swings Ella
Inna and I planned a two-day weekend at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa from Friday, January 31, to Sunday, February 2, 2025. However, due to the impending rain system (aka Pineapple Express), we decided to shorten the trip to one day. . Friday, January 31, 2025 . We started the long drive to Sonoma in the late afternoon. There were periods of heavy…
Read More: One Night in Sonoma
The Inna purchased tickets for the 2024 Holiday Tour of her favorite band, Pink Martini. The concert was scheduled for Saturday, December 14, at 19:30 in SF Jazz in San Francisco. . . . The band features the following members:. Thomas Lauderdale - piano (founding member). China Forbes - vocals. Antonis Andreou - trombone. In addition to the prominent members, there were a few new…
Read More: Pink Martini at SF Jazz
. As written by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley:. . Following its hit stage adaptations of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma, TheatreWorks returns to the Regency with this Pride and Prejudice sequel that is perfect for the whole family. This charming romantic comedy full of festive fun stars a different Bennet sister: bookish Mary, who is tired of being in the middle…
Read More: Miss Bennet Christmas at Pemberley