San Francisco Bay Highlights

49 Mile Bay Crossing

Are you a San Francisco 49ers fan? Trade your hot dog and football jersey for sun glasses and a life jacket. The  “49 Mile Bay Crossing” cruise spans 49 miles during the four hour tour and focuses on the highlights of the Bay, voyaging past the San Francisco downtown area, the Marina and North Beach from a waterfront excursion of California’s most historic city.  Additionally, passengers explore sites across the Bay, including the Alameda-Oakland estuary,  four of the bay’s major bridges and two lighthouses.

Prices for this excursion are $115 per person for a four person minimum or a group rate of $840 for eight or more people, which equates to $105 per person.

Take a cruise by Alcatraz on San Francisco's Bay Voyager RIB

The Boat- 28′ Northwind Custom RIB

Built in Seattle, Washington by Northwind Marine, this custom-built rigid inflatable boat (RIB) was designed for comfort. US Coast Guard-approved and licensed, this vessel was patterned after the same versatile and nearly indestructible RIBs used by Navy Seals. Powered by a four-stroke, 300-hp Yamaha engine, the boat can run safely, day or night on the bay.

With seating for 12 passengers and two crew, the Bay Voyager is a versatile vessel. Kids and adventurous adults will want to sit up front and enjoy a light spray from the bay. Captain Jennings supplies all guests with Helly Hansen waterproof pants and jackets to go over your clothes. Don’t forget  sunblock and wear a hat with a strap, as it gets windy on the bay.

See the highlights of the Bay, the San Francisco downtown area, the Marina, and North Beach from the water,  cruising along the front of the most historic city in California.

America’s Cup fans, take a cruise that follows the same route planned for San Francisco’s America’s Cup race in 2013.

One of the Bay Voyager highlights is sailing alongside other boats by the Golden Gate Bridge

Highlights

• - Hyde St. Pier National Historic Maritime Park
• - USS Pompanito (WWII Submarine)
• - SS Jeremiah O’Brien (WWII Liberty Ship)
• - Fort Mason
• - Marina District
• - The Palace of Fine Arts
• - The Presidio (current home to Lucasfilm)
• - Golden Gate bridge
• - Fort Point (Civil War fortress)
• - Alcatraz (one full circle around)
• - Treasure Island

• - Yerba Buena Island
• - Bay Bridge
• - San Francisco Dry Dock/Hunters Point Ship Yard
• - AT&T park (Home to the San Francisco Giants)
• - Ferry Building (Built in 1896)
• - Transamerica Building
• - Coit Tower
• - Future Home to the America’s Cup
• - Forbes Island
• - Pier 39 & Sea Lions

SS Jeremiah O'Brien Liberty Ship - one of the highlights on the Bay Voyager tour

Have you been on a RIB before? I had my first boat ride on a RIB in Bodo, Norway near the Arctic Circle. What are your favorite things to do in San Francisco?

The Bay Voyager offers unique tours of the San Francisco Bay. While the Bay Voyager docks in the Pier 39 Marina,  custom tours and pick ups are available near ATT Park or other accessible locations. Call direct for additional details. Follow Bay Voyager on Twitter and Like Bay Voyager on Facebook

Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on the Bay Voyager with San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

If You Go:

Bay Voyager (510) 542-4200

Captain Charles Jennings

Bay Voyager

P.O. Box 7629

Berkeley, CA 94707

Article, photos and YouTube video by Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Bay Voyager.

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Tom Frainier, Semifreddi's self-proclaimed Chief Boot Licker stands in front of the original Semifreddi's bread oven.

Semifreddi’s – the people’s bakery

When I asked Tom Frainier to describe his Semifreddi’s Bakery business,  the UC Berkeley graduate exclaimed with a smile, “we’re the people’s bakery!” Frainer joined his sister and brother-in-law in their tiny Kensington, California bakery after ditching corporate life at Clorox back in 1988.

Tom Frainier, Barbara & Mike Rose in the original Kensington, California Semifreddi's Bakery

Dreamer of dreams Tom Frainier

Like Willy Wonka of chocolate fame, Frainier is a dreamer of dreams who, along with his partners, has successfully grown the family-owned business from Kensington to a 33,000 square foot, environmentally-friendly bakery production center located in Alameda, California. Frainier has kept his sense of humor intact, swapping his CEO title for Chief Boot Licker and truly values his hard-working employees.

Tom Frainier and the Hand-Crafted Dough Factory

With his spiked blonde hair, Frainier dons a hairnet and opens the gates to Semifreddi’s Bakery to give me a first hand look at his bread factory. While Frainier insists this is not a factory, the magic of the place is reminiscent of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.

Watching the flour travel from the silo in one room, up through pipes, hugging the walls and ceiling of the wonderland, to ultimately dump into vats in another room, reminded me of Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, sans umpa lumpas. Yet instead of chocolate, my nose was pleasantly over-whelmed with the aroma of cinnamon and fresh baked bread.

Racks of Semifreddi's artisian breads await delivery to bay area locations

Focaccia bread -  is good sheet…bread

The Alameda company is known for their sourdough, sweet and seeded baguettes, as well as  challah, cinnamon twist,  ciabatta, country levain, rosemary focaccia – this is good sheet….bread, rye, sourdough and the sweet batard. While high tech machines help the bread baking process along, it is the employees who hand craft the artisan breads.

Frainier points out that his breads contain four ingredients: flour, water, salt and yeast. “The less ingredients,” says Frainier, “the fresher and the more local it is.” In fact, 75% of the companies sales are within 30 miles of Alameda.

Semifreddi's Bakery worker prepares bread dough

Semifreddi Pasteries

You may know the bay area bakery for hand-crafted breads, but did you know Semifreddi’s also bakes morning buns, cinnamon morning buns, cinnamon swirl bread, biscotti, almond biscotti, almond croissants, chocolate croissants, apple turnovers, muffins, scones, blueberry cream cheese danish and pecan swirls? Dessert fans may enjoy chocolate chip, oatmeal or snickerdoodle cookies and seasonal breads such as pumpkin or ginger bread. Salad lovers have not been over-looked; try the super garlic croutons. Frainier hands packets of garlic croutons out to his neighborhood trick-or-treaters during Halloween night.

Semifreddi's Super Garlic Croutons

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Tour Semifreddi’s Bakery

Tours of the 33,000 square foot bakery are free and open to the general public with a minimum of 10 people – children and school groups welcome – advance reservations required.

Travelers will like Semifreddi’s for their almond biscotti and chocolate-dipped biscotti. Packed with nutritional value, the biscotti is available on line, as are the garlic croutons, and fit easily into backpacks and earthquake kits.

Follow Semifreddi Bakery on Twitter or friend them on Facebook. For all things travel related, follow Travel Expert Nancy D. Brown on Twitter.

Semifreddi breads rest in proofing baskets

If You Go:

Semifreddi Bakery (510) 596-9930

1980 North Loop Road
Alameda, CA 94502

Have you been to Alameda? What are your favorite things to do in Alameda, California?

Semifreddi's Bakery, located in Alameda, California, is open to the public for tours with advance reservations

Article, photos and YouTube video produced by Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown

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When I have a visitor from out of town, I take them wine tasting in Dry Creek Valley

Are you visiting Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley for the first time? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in Healdsburg, California.

When I have a visitor from out of town, I take them wine tasting in Dry Creek Valley.

Looking for wine country cuisine in  Healdsburg? I recommend Ravenous Café and Lounge.

Check out Healdsburg Plaza Park in downtown square. With plenty of grass, graceful trees, benches and gazebo; it’s a great place to relax and unwind.

When you come to Healdsburg, get your picture taken in a Dry Creek Valley vineyard.

Here’s a tip from a local: the best item on the menu at Willi’s Seafood & Raw Bar is the grilled fish tacos.

Make sure to visit Healdsburg's Charming Downtown Plaza

Healdsburg is best known for visiting wineries and the small town chic charm of the downtown Square.

Looking for cheap food in Healdsburg? Head to El Farolito. This Mexican restaurant and bar has plenty of ambiance.

For an expensive meal, head to Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg. Chef Charlie Palmer makes great food and, personally, I think he’s really a nice guy.

For authentic wine country cuisine, try Charlie Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen

In Dry Creek Valley, take your picture with a winemaker. They are the real McCoy!

For an amazing view, walk to the deck of Sbragia Family Vineyard overlooking the length of Dry Creek Valley.

The Dutcher Crossing Winery offers great views and their grass veranda is the best place to watch or experience Passport to Dry Creek Valley

In Healdsburg/Dry Creek Valley outdoor enthusiasts will want to bike along Westside Road through the scenic vineyards and rural landscape.

Stop for wine tasting with a beautiful view at Dutcher Crossing Winery

Looking for a little exercise? Walk along the Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve.

If you are a museum lover,  Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society is a good one to check out.

Enjoy a night out on the town? For a night of dancing, sway to the jute box at dive bar John & Zeke’s.  They may not have a website, but you’ll have a great time.

The Spoonbar at h2hotel is the spot for late night dining.

The Healdsburg Tribune will keep you posted on what’s happening in Healdsburg.

You can tell a lot about Healdsburg from visiting and watching the 4H parade and fair event. It’s one of the events that makes Healdsburg so darn appealing.

In the spring you should attend Gateway to Passport/Passport to Dry Creek Valley.

In the spring you'll want to attend Passport to Dry Creek Valley

In the summer you should attend Healdsburg Concerts in the Park.

Did you know that Healdsburg is known for being in Dry Creek Valley? Plan a visit to Healdsburg during harvest in the fall.

Come to Healdsburg for relaxing spa treatments in the winter.

Insider Tip: Check out the often over-looked kayaking or canoeing down the Russian River in summer.

Coffee lovers should make a bee line to The Flying Goat for a great breakfast treat and delicious coffee.

Just outside of Healdsburg you can visit Dry Creek General Store for a beer and sandwich at this historic landmark overlooking the vineyards of Dry Creek Valley.

The best way to see Healdsburg is to walk or bike. I’m told it’s a great place for a motorcycle ride, too. No drinking while driving, of course!

Don’t miss Giorgi Park if you have kids traveling with you.

What are your favorite things to see and do in Healdsburg, California?

Thanks to Healdsburg resident Kate Jones for assistance with this post.

Healdsburg

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