Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Time: Oct 26, 2013
Place: Santa Cruz
Company: Family
Highlights: A small research on the internet led us to Santa Clara boardwalk. This is a nice weekend outing with a rare combination of rides, casino, and many other entertainments on the beach boardwalk. Paavani enjoyed a lot with a multitude of rides for her age, and we enjoyed her enjoying. Once we felt she had enjoyed the rides enough, took her to the beach where she had even more fun with sea-gulls and sand. Headed back home - a 2 hr "sleepy" drive! Definitely a place not to miss!

Mt Diablo

Time: Oct 20, 2013
Place: Mt Diablo
Company: Family
Highlights: The address on Google maps gave the visitor center at the base of the mountain from where hikers hike up the mountain. So we had to head back on to North gate road to climb the mountain on road. It was a relatively steep and very winding road - one of the few treacherous one that I have driven in US. But more than the road, the tension was more on the dwindling fuel in the car due to bad planning on my part. There seemed to be 2 gallons of fuel at base but as I climbed, I got indications from car of low fuel and there was about 20+ miles distance for nearest fuel station. Due to this, we parked the car about 2 miles away from the summit and wanted to savor the moment as if we were on the summit. Spent almost an hour there contemplating if we had to scale up to the summit on foot or on car. Taking the risk, we went in car. Summit was good, with 360 degree view and a visitor center with good video/information about Mt Diablo's unique features such as the oldest rocks found in the summit (opposite to other peaks' features). Then it was time to head back. Did the whole mountain just on neutral save for couple of accelerations. Safely reached the fuel station 20 miles later. Really would have repented if we had not gone up to the summit. A nice outing, especially since the summit is only about an hour from home.

SFO and Pacifica Beach

Time: Oct 13, 2013
Place: San Francisco, Pacifica
Company: Family
Highlights: A trip solely dedicated to the visiting family members (Bro, parents, etc.). Visited SFO Financial District, showed my office, then went to Lombard Street. Then headed to Golden Gate. Went over it on both sides and then drove a little on the Pacific Coast highway until we spotted the first beach on the city of Pacifica where we spent some time seeing Paavani enjoying! Headed back home. A nice outing, although I was more of a driver than a tourist. Didnt mind much, since had seen these places already in 2012.