My San Francisco Adventure: From the Golden Gate Bridge to Big Sur

San Francisco is a vibrant and unforgettable city filled with iconic landmarks, breathtaking views, charming neighborhoods, and endless opportunities for adventure. From the winding streets of Lombard Street and the colorful sights of Chinatown and North Beach, (Little Italy), to the majestic Golden Gate Bridge and the beautiful waterfront of Fisherman's Wharf, every corner of the city offers something new to discover including self driving cars offered by Waymo.  

Living in a technological and AI driven society and on the East Coast, I never saw a self driving car.  Well, being near Silicon Valley and Mountain View California, where many tech companies reside, I was not surprised to see a Waymo robotaxi, a self driving car.  It totally blew my mind!  

Waymo partnered with Jaguar who makes the vehicles.  There is an app to download to request a ride, similar to Uber and Lyft.  When entering the vehicle, you must sit in the back seat, and fasten your seat belt or the vehicle will not move.  I was told that if there is a person sitting in the front seat, it most likely is a software engineer testing an update or troubleshooting.  Safe to say, I did not try it, but it was amazing to see.

Day 1

Upon arriving, I went to Fisherman’s Wharf to walk around the pier and have breakfast. I stumbled upon the San Francisco Bay Area National Parks, where they had a replica of Alcatraz along with information about the island. It was very interesting! I decided not to take the tour of Alcatraz because I wanted to visit Muir Woods instead. Pictured above is Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay. The water is cold, and the current is very fast, making it difficult for prisoners to escape.    

On the first day, I took a half-day tour called the Amazing Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour. The tour stopped at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which offers beautiful views overlooking the bay after crossing the bridge. It was absolutely beautiful!

Afterward, I went to Muir Woods National Monument to hike and see the Coast Redwood trees. The Coast Redwoods thrive in this area because of the moisture from the fog, heavy winter rains, and moderate year-round temperatures. They are the tallest trees in the world, and the pictures simply do not do them justice.

Afterward, we took the curvy road out of Muir Woods National Monument and headed into Sausalito. This small coastal town had so much character, and it was beautiful. I walked around, grabbed a bite to eat at Napa Valley Burger Co., and then got back on the tour bus to return to the hotel.  I stayed at the Hotel Riu Plaza Fisherman's Wharf.  

Review:

• I really enjoyed this tour and seeing the Coast Redwood Trees was amazing!  I would recommend it, but next time, I would skip Sausalito and go on an Alcatraz tour instead.   The tour Alcatraz with Muir Woods and Sausalito Tour is a full day tour.

• The Hotel Riu Plaza Hotel was in a great location and I would recommend it.  It was clean and close to Fisherman's Wharf.  However, it did not have a restaurant open for dinner, instead they only had grab and go food, which I am not a fan of.  

Day 2

The next day, I went on a full-day, 15-hour tour of Yosemite National Park and the Giant Sequoias. This tour was excellent, and I would highly recommend it. Be prepared for a long day! Bring plenty of snacks and wear comfortable hiking boots! If you love national parks as much as I do, this is a must-see!

It was a perfect day to visit Yosemite National Park, and it did not disappoint! Seeing El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Bridalveil Fall was spectacular!

El Capitan is the massive rock in the front left side and Half Dome is in the back right side of the picture.  The rock with the point.

Upon arriving at the park, we stopped at a bridge to take in this view of Half Dome in the background. From where I was standing, Half Dome was about 7 miles away.  

Below is another picture with a creek in front of Half Dome taken from a bridge.

Fun Fact:  Half Dome is a granite rock which rises 8,846 feet above sea level.  The elevation gain is 4,800 feet from the Yosemite Valley floor.

Next, I hiked to Lower Yosemite Fall, which is 320 feet high. Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in the park and one of the tallest in North America. Luckily, there was still a steady flow of water during my visit. As the weather changes and temperatures drop, the water flow will eventually decrease as the water begins to freeze.

Yosemite Falls is separated into three sections: Upper Fall, which is 1,430 feet; Middle Cascades, which are 675 feet; and Lower Fall, which is 320 feet. The picture above shows both the Upper and Lower Falls.

Afterwards, I hiked through a meadow to Superintendents Bridge to a small chapel.  The views were so beautiful and because this area of the park was less crowded it was much more peaceful. 

Next, our tour guide Brian Wunderlich drove us to another meadow nearer to El Capitan.  He setup telescopes for us to look through to see if we can spot any climbers.  There were not any climbers on El Capitan, but he did find a backpack hanging on the rock.

Our last hike in the park was the Tuolumne Grove Trail, which takes you through a trail to see the giant sequoia trees in Yosemite. There are not many sequoia trees in this area. If you want to see more of them, you must visit Sequoia National Park.

This hike took us down a trail where we saw a few living sequoia trees. The picture on the left is a young sequoia that is about 500 years old. We continued walking down the trail and came across a hollowed-out sequoia tree and another one that had fallen down. These trees are massive—not only are they incredibly tall, but they are also very wide. Again, the pictures do not do them justice. The trail was about 2.7 miles round trip, and it was a steep climb back up, but I am so glad I hiked it, and I would definitely recommend it.

Review:

I loved every minute of this tour! Brian Wunderlich from Best Bay Area Tours was very knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly. On the way to the park, which was about 3 to 3.5 hours from San Francisco, he shared his personal photos and showed an informative movie about the park for everyone to watch during the drive. He shared so much information, and it was great!

Wear hiking boots, bring snacks, and don't forget sunscreen! I would highly recommend this tour!!!

Day 3

My last full day in California included a full-day tour of Big Sur, Monterey, and Carmel. This tour included visits to Lovers Point, Bird Rock, Pebble Beach Golf Course, Carmel, and Big Sur. The Pacific Coast Highway runs through these areas, and the views were absolutely breathtaking.

Lovers Point, is in the coastal town of Pacific Grove.  It was a small town that included a waterfront park and beach.  It was beautiful there.  The picture above is of the beach. The boulders all around this area reminded me of Bermuda.  No one was swimming, just a lot of tourists exploring the area.

Next, we stopped at Bird Rock, which was a few minutes south of Lovers Point. This area was unique because there was so much wildlife. We saw pelicans, seagulls, cormorants, and seals swimming, sunbathing, and barking. It was such an active area, and it was amazing to see all of the wildlife up close.

Just a bit farther south, we stopped at the Lone Cypress, which is located along the Pacific Coast Highway in Pebble Beach. This is the tree pictured on the left, standing at the top of a granite boulder. The tree is believed to have been planted around 1769 by Spanish settlers. However, due to the wind and salt spray from the ocean, the base of the tree has been eroding. Cables are used to help keep it standing upright.

Next up was Pebble Beach Golf Links, which is known for its prestigious 18th hole overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The people on our tour were able to walk around the lodge and get close to the 18th hole, but we had to remain behind a wooden fence and be quiet out of respect for the golfers. It was a foggy morning, as shown in the pictures above, but the view was still beautiful. I was told that it costs a member $150,000 to play a round of golf!!!

Afterward, we walked around the town of Carmel. Again, it was a beautiful small town with lots of shopping, restaurants, churches, and parks.

Our last stop was Big Sur. It was a beautiful area with stunning views, and the architecture of the bridge was impressive. It was foggy at first, but after a few minutes, the fog cleared, and the scenery was gorgeous. The view of the bridge, the cliffs, the flowers and greenery, and the waves crashing along the shoreline were absolutely priceless!

Day 4

My last day in San Francisco, I visited Lombard Street. It is famous for being a crooked street! It is a one-block section featuring eight sharp turns on brick pavement surrounded by beautiful gardens. It is also a residential neighborhood where homeowners can park in their driveways or pull into their garages. Apparently, it became even more famous after appearing in many movies.

Overall Thoughts

In conclusion, I wanted to make the most of my time in San Francisco, so I decided to book a few tours through Viator. Here is the link to the tours on my list. I didn't have to worry about driving or navigating directions. I was with a small group of people on each tour, and I felt safe and comfortable throughout my trip.

I am grateful that I was able to travel to California and see so many beautiful places. Thank you for reading my travel journal!

If you're thinking about planning a cruise—or any type of vacation—I'd love to help. Feel free to contact me, and let's make your travel dreams come true!  A wise man once said, "work to live, don't live to work!"

I    

The Norwegian Jewel, Bermuda and Charleson - a Perfect Combination

 

When school is out for the summer, that's when I have time to travel. Last year, I took a cruise on the Norwegian Getaway to Bermuda, and I absolutely loved it. So this year, I decided to go back.

My boyfriend and I took a 7-day round-trip cruise on the Norwegian Jewel from Philadelphia to Bermuda and Charleston, South Carolina. The itinerary included an overnight stay in Bermuda, but honestly, it wasn't enough time. I had our itinerary planned in advance, and I'm happy to say we were able to do everything on our list. Here's what we did.

Bermuda 

Day 1 

We purchased a two-day public transportation pass, which included unlimited ferry and bus rides throughout the island. You can purchase it at the Visitor Information Center at the Royal Naval Dockyard.

Keep in mind that Norwegian Cruise Line offers a complimentary ferry between the Royal Naval Dockyard and St. George, but we decided to buy the transportation pass anyway so we could also use the buses.

From the Naval Dockyard, located at the western tip of Bermuda, we took the public ferry to St. George on the northeastern end of the island. The ferry ride took about 40 minutes.

Crystal Caves

Once we arrived in St. George, we took Bus #10 to Crystal and Fantasy Caves, which is about a 15-20 minute bus ride. We were able to do the guided tour of the Crystal Caves and it did not disappoint. 

The caves were absolutely beautiful and truly a sight to see. As we descended into the cave, we immediately noticed the impressive stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites growing upward from the cave floor. Over time, they eventually meet to form columns.  Stalactites and stalagmites take hundreds of years to grow, making this natural wonder even more incredible.  Plus, it takes approximately three to four weeks for rainwater to seep into the cave. The water you see in the photos is actually ocean water.

I highly recommend visiting the caves for yourself. It's a wonderful activity for visitors of all ages.

Note: The pathway leading down into the cave is steep and can be wet. I highly recommend wearing sneakers with good traction. I would not recommend this tour for anyone who has difficulty walking or struggles with balance.

Swizzle Inn

After our tour, we walked across the street to the Swizzle Inn Pub & Restaurant, Bermuda's oldest pub and the home of the island's national drink, the Rum Swizzle, which was created in the early 1900s. We went inside to look around, but it was crowded, and we weren't interested in eating there, so we decided to head back to St. George for lunch instead.

Wahoo's Bistro and Patio

We ate at Wahoo's Bistro & Patio, where we enjoyed the grilled mahi-mahi fish tacos and mahi-mahi nuggets. Both were absolutely delicious, and I highly recommend them.

Clearwater Beach

                                St. David's Lighthouse from Clearwater Beach

  

Next, we visited Clearwater Beach on St. David's Island in southeastern Bermuda. It was simply beautiful. The beach offers Sunjammers Beach Bar, restrooms, showers, a playground, and rentals for lounge chairs, umbrellas, stand-up paddleboards, and kayaks. It's also within walking distance of Cooper's Island Nature Reserve.

We didn't hike through the reserve because we weren't dressed appropriately, but we were able to explore part of the area along one of the clear walking paths.

Again, the pictures don't do it justice. The water was crystal clear and a stunning shade of turquoise and it had a rocky shoreline.  I definitely recommend wearing or bringing sneakers, especially if you plan to hike the trails.

Note: This area has a lot of wild brush and cacti. We didn't want to risk hiking without long pants and long sleeves. If you plan to explore Cooper's Island Nature Reserve, I recommend bringing appropriate hiking clothes. You can always change at the beach showers before heading over.   

Another thing to keep in mind is that this area isn't heavily serviced by public buses. Buses only arrive about once an hour. We actually missed ours while returning to St. George, so I would recommend taking a taxi to and from this area if your schedule is tight. 

Fortunately, Bermudians are incredibly friendly and welcoming. While waiting at the bus stop, we met Mr. Thomas Smith, a Bermudian whose family is from New Jersey.  As it turns out, he's a behavior specialist at a middle school, so we had a lot in common.  It really is a small world!

He had been attending a family reunion nearby and kindly offered to drive us to the ferry terminal, about 15 minutes away. He perfectly represented Bermudian hospitality. I only wish we had taken a photo together, but we did connect on Instagram.

Day 2

The following day, we stayed near the Royal Naval Dockyard since the ship was departing Bermuda that afternoon. We needed to be back onboard by 2:30 p.m., so we explored the Dockyard, visited the Clocktower Mall, and walked over to Seaglass Beach.  There's no need to take a bus or taxi because it's only a short walk, especially since the beach entrance has been relocated.

Seaglass Beach

Seaglass is everywhere along this beach. Although the area has a rugged appearance, once you stop and listen to the waves, you can actually hear the sea glass gently rattling along the shoreline. It's a unique experience.

Final Thoughts on Bermuda

Bermuda is a beautiful island filled with friendly and helpful people. There's truly something for everyone.

I recommend planning your time carefully because, although Bermuda is only about 21 square miles, traveling between attractions can take longer than you might expect.

Travel Tip: Consider your transportation options before arriving. Whether you choose taxis, buses, ferries, or rent a scooter (remember, Bermudians drive on the left side of the road), knowing what you want to see ahead of time will help you make the best decision. Looking back, I probably would have purchased only a one-day transportation pass and relied on taxis a little more.

I know I'll be visiting this beautiful island again. Until next time!

Charleston, South Carolina

The next stop on our itinerary was Charleston, South Carolina. Our ship was in port from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

It was my first visit, and I immediately fell in love with this charming, history-filled city. One of the first buildings you see after disembarking is the impressive United States Custom House.

From there, we walked to Waterfront Park to see the famous Pineapple Fountain. The pineapple has long been a symbol of Southern hospitality, representing warmth, welcome, and community. Installed in 1990, the fountain celebrates the restoration of Charleston's waterfront and commemorates the city's resilience following Hurricane Hugo.

As we continued exploring, we admired the cobblestone streets, Rainbow Row, historic homes, and unique local shops. Many of the homes displayed Carolopolis Award plaques, presented by the Preservation Society of Charleston to recognize outstanding historic preservation.

Although the city was beautiful, it was extremely hot. After walking around for about two hours, we decided to return to the ship.

This sailing marked Norwegian Cruise Line's final stop at Charleston on this itinerary. The cruise terminal will be relocating about 1.5 miles away, and at the time of our sailing, cruises departing from Philadelphia were scheduled to sail to Canada instead. It remains uncertain whether Norwegian will return to Charleston in the future.

Overall Thoughts

Overall, this was a wonderful vacation. I truly enjoyed every destination we visited and would happily return to each of them.

If you're thinking about planning a cruise—or any type of vacation—I'd love to help. Feel free to contact me, and let's make your travel dreams come true!  A wise man once said, "work to live, don't live to work!"

Norwegian Jewel and the City of Brotherly Love!

Norwegian Cruise Line signed a 7 year contract with the Port of Philadelphia to bring cruising back to the area.  The first cruise from Philadelphia in about 15 years was on April 16, 2026.  This will be great for the local economy and very convenient for anyone who wants to avoid flying to a cruise terminal to enjoy a cruise vacation.  Norwegian will offer cruises on the Norwegian Jewel and the Norwegian Pearl into 2027 and 2028.

Last year, I sailed out of Manhattan on Norwegian Cruise Line on the Norwegian Getaway, and I instantly reminisce of memories from that area. Although sailing pass the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the iconic Empire State Building, the Freedom Tower, the Brooklyn Bridge and sailed under the Verrazzano Bridge to the Atlantic Ocean was familiar and I loved every minute of it.  However, there was something special sailing from Philadelphia. 

I recently came back from a 7 day round-trip cruise on the Norwegian Jewel to Bermuda and Charleston, SC on July 2, 2026.  First, I was amazed that it took 6 hours to cruise down the Delaware River to the Atlantic Ocean.  Secondly, the Jewel sailed under two major bridges, the Commodore Barry Bridge and the Delaware Memorial Bridge.  It was a sight to see!  The scenery was beautiful and very busy with cargo ships, tug boats, and other vessels and personal water crafts.

  

Since the cruise terminal in Philadelphia is not yet completed, because of inclement weather this past winter, Norwegian Cruise Line partnered with the Clarion Hotel in Essington, PA to arrange parking, hotel accommodations, check-in, and transportation to the Port of Philadelphia.  

With so many new procedures in place, I am happy to report that my transition to and from the hotel and port went smoothly.  

About 2 weeks before my cruise, I called the Clarion Hotel to reserve and pre-pay for my parking, which was $112.00. I would highly recommend it.

Tip:  If you pre-pay for parking, you will receive an email of your receipt.  I recommend that you print out the receipt because you will need to show the parking attendant that you paid for parking when you pull into the lot.  The parking attendant will give you a ticket to put in the windshield of your vehicle.

Obviously, on the morning of my cruise, I drove from my home to the Clarion Hotel at 76 Industrial Highway, Essington, PA.  I briefly parked behind the hotel to drop off my luggage, where it was being loaded into trucks to be transported to the cruise terminal.  Then, I parked my car in the parking lot and walked inside the hotel to check-in for the cruise.  

Tip:  I would recommend purchasing plastic cruise luggage tags to prevent the tag from being torn off or damaged during the transport. 

Once inside the hotel, I proceeded to the main ballroom to check-in for the cruise.  I was given a bus number and then directed to go to a smaller ballroom and wait for the bus.  The bus was a motor coach which transported me to the cruise terminal.  The ride to the cruise terminal was 10 -15 minutes.  

Once I was on the ship, my cruise officially started!  I was able to enjoy the ship and the beautiful scenery of Philadelphia and the Delaware River.

When the cruise was over on July 2, disembarking went smoothly as well.  I did a self check-out where I held my luggage and was able to get off the ship around 7 am.  The motor coach was waiting at the terminal to load passengers and luggage, then it was about a 15 minute ride back to the hotel to pick up the luggage and car.  Upon exiting the lot, I had to return the parking ticket that was in the windshield of my car back to the parking attendant. 

It was easy and I am thankful to all of the workers who made this transition happen smoothly.  I will definitely be cruising from the Port of Philadelphia again and I would highly recommend it.

A few takeaways:

The Clarion Hotel is under construction and I was surprised by the condition of the property.  If you are flying into Philadelphia I would NOT recommend staying at the Clarion.

The parking lot is very bumpy so your luggage may not wheel as smoothly.  

I did not find it to be accommodating for people who needed assistance with walkers, wheelchairs, and motorized scooters.

If you are interested in a cruise or want to plan another type of  vacation, feel free to contact me. I would be happy to help you make your vacation dreams become a reality.

All of the pictures in this blog post were taken by Kimberly Mattina.

  

A Beautiful Resort - Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida

For many years, my husband and I went to Islamorada in the Florida Keys for vacation.  It was our special vacation destination.  During those years, we passed the construction of the guitar tower, which can be seen from the highway, being built at the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in Hollywood, Florida.  We were intrigued by the construction of the guitar tower because it took quite a few years to build.  I always wanted to stop there and check it out after it was completed, but we were so focused on getting down to Islamorada to start our vacation, we never  stopped.

Since I was down in Fort Lauderdale at the CruiseWorld convention, I decided to take a visit to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino since it is about 10 - 15 minutes away from the Hilton Garden Inn where I stayed in Fort Lauderdale.  I was certainly glad I went because I was truly amazed!

I live in southern New Jersey, near Atlantic City, which has casinos and gambling.  There is a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, which is not comparable to the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida, Once I stepped into the lobby area of the resort, I couldn't believe my eyes!  The property is beautiful, exquisite,  impressive and massive.  I immediately felt like I was in Vegas!

The lobby area had a center waterfall with different color lights and imagery.  The walls in the lobby area had water falls and live plants.  It was a beautiful design.

The entire property was massive.  I was not used to that because I feel the Hard Rock in Atlantic City is not on that scale.  

The outdoor pool was very nice and big.  The pool wrapped around the upper walkway and it had many lounge chairs and cabanas to offer.  When I went to the pool area, it was closed, so I was able to take pictures from the upper walkway that led to a restaurant.  

The best part of my visit was seeing the guitar tower light up and sync with the music.  It made me smile and I was truly amazed.  I went to the Hard Rock Cafe and had a beer for my hubby and it made me happy.

If you are ever in the Fort Lauderdale area, I would highly recommend stopping in at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.  Explore the resort, get a bite to eat, go shopping, gamble, visit the sports bar and watch a game.  You will truly feel like you are in Vegas!

All pictures included in this blog post are the property of Kim Mattina