San Francisco to Yosemite: Golden Hills Glowing under Blue Sky

My version of golden California hills

This day Traveler Five and I left San Francisco, after a short stop to do Lombard Street right and to revisit the Haight, to drive to Yosemite National Park. As you drive east before you drop down into the central valley, you drive through these amazing glowing golden hills. I couldn't capture what I saw in my camera so I painted it because I was so struck by this landscape that is so alient to that which I am so used to. I fell instantly in love.

Then it was across the flat of the valley. The temperature had increased by 20 degrees at least. We stopped at a rest stop off of Route 99 that had a llama farm next to it. It was kind of nice to eat lunch and watch llamas in the distance. Then it was back on the road and onto winding Route 140, snaking along the Merced River to our hotel, The Cedar Lodge.

California hills and Traveler Five's profile driving

Merced River

Western Fence Lizard minus tail