California Academy of Science

After checking in at the hotel Sunday, a tour of the California Academy of Science will commence. This facility houses natural history, scientific, and aquatic exhibits. World renown, The California Academy of Science is San Francisco's oldest aquarium. It is locate in San Francisco Park.

You will see many interesting sights from alligators to sharks. From time to time there are moon rocks exhibited at this site. See California's oldest swinging pendulum. See a half cubic foot of natural gold ore. Besides fish, natural jewels of all types are exhibited.

This facility will not last much into the Millennium. The San Francisco California Academy of Science is scheduled for rehabilitation. It is unlikely it will last much longer in it's present style. Although large and very interesting, it is old. Pumps are rusting, the habitats are wearing out, and earthquakes have taken there toll on the structure. The homeless, traffic, and MUNI problems of San Francisco have taken the political spotlight such that the money to be spent on the new facilities is limited. Instead of a World Class Attraction, bring in world class travelers, the voters will more than likely elect to construct an exhibit which will rank as "We Have One Too." See it while it lasts.

The problem with the homeless is they don't have anything because they don't earn anything. Complain yes, earn something no! They complain a lot and that gets in the news. They have lots of kids when they can't afford children so they never have any money. A lot of them stick what ever money they get up their nose or in their arm, that, or drink themselves silly. Idiot politicians think that appeasing these complainers is the answer to getting elected. Likely so as many have been elected. San Francisco elected politicians who enacted rent control and now no self interested apartment builder in their right mind would invest in housing. Hopelessness in San Francisco has gone up enormously. Wonder why? Now, those same idiot politicians are complaining about the housing shortage. Nothing so stupid as ignorance in action. San Francisco is a tourist town. If these same idiots kill off the tourist attractions, there will be a lot more homeless. And the same idiots will wonder why.

A newer World Class Aquarium in Monterey will also be visited. After visiting Water World, Pier 39, and Alcatraz, Monday, the tour will cross the Golden Gate Bridge Tuesday morning on the way around the Northern part of the San Francisco Bay. The next stop being Marine World. Spending from Tuesday afternoon to evening at Marine World. Marine World has changed hands several times in the past few years. It is now owned by the Six Flags organization. The kids will love it. There are many new rides. However, as a marine adventure it keeps in step because there are many aquatic exhibits including a whale of a show.

Wednesday morning it is off to Raging Waters. Again, a totally different marine experience. Raging Waters lies in the South Bay Area near San Jose. Here, many water rides exist. This may be circumvented by the Mantica Water Park. However, this park has recently had an accident which put the giant water slide out of action. I like the water slides. If the giant water slide is back in action, we go there instead of Raging Waters. Either way, it is an experience. Kids will love it.

Thursday, it is off to Monterey. After checking in to a lodge in Monterey it will be time for a trip to the famed Monterey Aquarium. The next day, Friday, it is the boat trip. Only certified divers will be allowed on the boat. The rest of the family will be treated to a tour of Monterey.

Saturday morning it is up early for a morning SCUBA dive off the famous Monastery Beach. Morning is the best time to dive here. Afternoons, around 3pm, this wave action can be a real killer. The whole group will be at the beach to watch the truly brave divers. After the morning dip, it is off to Santa Cruz. Yes, grungy, wet, and smelly for affect, the bus, instead of going back to the nearest lodging will travel north up highway 1 to the famous Santa Cruz Board Walk where you will check into a beach side hotel.