# 13, Red Dragons

In a biting breeze we watched from the sidelines as M played her inaugural game of soccer with Coach Tom and the Red Dragons.

We swore this would never be us!

We cheered with non-verb statements and didn't keep score.

The Bay Lights

Our extra nights, thanks to the Eastern snow storm, meant we could be one of the first to see The Bay Lights in action. Leo Villareal amazing spilling of light up, down, along and all over the Bay Bridge - magical stuff with the odd yacht gliding by and a ferry chugging out on the dark waters.

Little Italy, Northbeach

There's the famous Mama's on Washington Square but we didn't queue, as Tony's Pizza opposite was more our style. We took to the sidewalk seating for a Californian (ricotta) and a New York (cheese) slices followed by a second trip to Alimento Deli for gelato - caramel, lemon and raspberry sorbet... The servings were stalled for the final, intense moments of European Cup football. Someone got promoted!

Russian Hill

I was trying to find Mrs Madrigal's steps - the wooden ones she chained herself too in one of Armistead Maupin's stories. We found Macondray Lane aka Barbary Lane, between the houses, with little ponds and palm trees and lush undergrowth and glimpses of the bay beyond.

Sampled a brief tram ride, walked down the crazy z-bended Lombardy Street and gazed into the loveliest community garden. This is a nice part of town!

Cabrillo Highway

Finally I got a view, heading North at 50mph along the Cabrillo Highway, beer and sunset beckoning on the cliffs of Half Moon Bay.

We'll be back Bean Hollow State Beach - this is the California we had been imagining.

New Brighton State Beach, Capitola

As long as you're on a premium pitch and look towards the ocean, this is an idyllic spot.  Look right and there are condos, look left and there are hulking RVs parked all along the shore. Far left gets weirder but interesting, with a giant, decaying concrete ship, moored since the 1920s - once a ballroom and dining venue, now a pelican haven.

Finally behind are more behemoth RVs, caged chihuahuas and satellite dishes and unfrequented ablution blocks, that make this spot a ghost town at night and and a tad daunting to those of us with more camping-style needs.

Natural Bridges, New Brighton & Seacliff State Park Beaches

There were seals and surfers and pelicans and driftwood. It was brisk but beautiful and we made a shelter of our own with a stick garden and then adopted the one below - J's birthday candle being the central feature. There were moments of complete peace.