Road Trip Wrap Up

Thank you all for keeping up with my adventures in Northern California! It's been a great time of relaxation and renewal. Sometimes I get so stuck on the small, day-to-day snags of life, and forget how amazing my job really is. I've included a few of my favorite shots from the beautiful ride home. If you ever get the chance, make that trip up the Pacific Coast Highway, there's just nothing like it!

Also, I have had some inquiries for prints. Those can be ordered by visiting http://laurendimatteo.printroom.com and accessing the tab labeled "The Californian Coastline."

I have some really great projects I'm working on for my new book (super excited!), and also some older projects that I would like to share with you all as well. So, check back soon!

Napa Valley
Napa Valley
Napa Valley
California Gold
Redwoods of Santa Cruz
A Pebble Beach View

Day Four: And I Would Walk 500 Miles...

Bad song reference, I know. But seriously, I felt like I could yesterday. And today, my muscles are punishing me severely for the attempt of such a great distance--all mostly up hill.

We began our journey early in the morning on the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) in South San Fran and took it to Powell Street which is located in North SF. I must admit, I've been on the LA subway once (yes they have one) and will probably never do it again. LA's Metro is where I've found the city's highest concentration of scary people. I'm not kidding. But getting on the BART was actually a pleasant experience--nothing but normal people. Whew. Now, from the station we trekked through the Chinatown celebration chaos of the Chinese New Year, which spanned about fifteen city blocks, and powered over the hilly terrain that stood before us and the coast. That alone took four hours. Our goal? Make it to Fisherman's Wharf. Well, we made it, but were far too beat to really enjoy it! We spent an hour recovering at a local Starbucks...nice. By late afternoon we were more than ready to hop back on the train to go home, but had one last friend to catch up with before leaving the city.

4 P.M.: Stu, an old college friend and currently a masters student at the Academy of Arts SF, cheerfully waltzed into the Starbucks were we had taken shelter from the cold, cold city. He had to take two different modes of public transit it to see us, so that meant it was time to walk and talk a little. Pressing onward we made our way to Ghirardelli Square, circled it about four times, and wandered on to warmer territory. It was really great to catch up with one another, talking shop is always a good way to revitalize me! However, if you ever meet Stu, keep in mind that he is a wanderer. He claims that he was just enjoying the conversation, but we think he just wanted to torture us. The line of the evening: "oh, just one more block down to the left and we'll catch the train." Needless to say, by the time we got home, I could barely move!

Overall, it was a fun adventure. And it's about time to start making my way out the door for the day. So, below are a few shots from yesterday. Enjoy!

Day Three: A Rather Brief Recap

It's late, and I have a rather long day ahead of me tomorrow. Also, I have friends around me sound asleep, and I don't want to disturb them. Therefore, I must be brief!

We started the day off right with a quick 'portrait session' with dear Arianna; she's so wonderful! It was great getting to know her and hear her talk about her passion for acting and theatre. And just being around her was a hoot--to call her talented, would be a gross understatement! :) There were a ton of great images from the few minutes we shot, but I feel this image represents her perfectly. Beautiful. Her eyes and expression hint at the layers of depth she can naturally bring to every character she plays.

Arianna, 17
Later in the morning we headed through downtown SF and then on to Napa Valley, for a little exploration. I'm not a big wine drinker, but the entire process has always sparked my interest. So, we toured Domaine Chandon, a winery specializing in sparkling wines. It was definitely a unique experience. If you've never been, then I'd recommend you go at least once in your life!

As for the rest of the day, we did a bit of relaxing, had dinner in Berkeley with an old friend, and came back to the San Mateo area to wind down for the evening.

Tomorrow...we spend the entire day downtown...I can't wait!

Day Two, Making the Most of the Rain

Today we awoke to a view overlooking the Monterey Bay, only to find it shrouded by clouds. Nevertheless, we trekked out into the soggy mess with spirits high, determined to make the best of things. Most of the morning was spent at the world class Monterey Bay Aquarium (amazing!). Following the aquarium, we left for a long drive, further up the coast, to the city of San Francisco. While slowly making our way through the tangled mess of wet, traffic-filled freeways, I had the chance to observe the crowded hillsides of Northern California. It was an amazing site--an almost endless sea of A-framed attics, perfectly nestled almost inches from each other. Excitement rising...

Our evening was perfect. Killing time before dinner with wonderful Arianna, who you'll meet tomorrow, we ventured into the downtown area to grab coffee at the fabulous Blue Bottle Coffee Co (seen below). Traffic, in the rain, on a Friday evening, in downtown San Fran was probably one of the craziest, life threatening, experiences I've ever had. Seriously, I've never seen anything like it. People everywhere. Vibrant city lights permeating out into the cool, crisp atmosphere. There was an energy about the city that enraptured me. It was so unlike LA, I can't explain it. All I know is that I fell into it's rhythm immediately-absolutely taken. I snapped away through the steamy, watery, car windows. It never even crossed my mind to escape the confines of the car. I love the depth and the energy that my position created. And honestly, the images couldn't be more perfect. And I must thank my travel buddy, wonderful Nicole, who fought through the madness, multiple maps in hand, screaming and lane hopping like a pro; you were incredibly brave! :)

Blue Bottle Coffee Co.

Road Trip: Day One

Wow. I'll just give a quick recap of the day, as I am currently thawing out from the cold weather and swiftly drifting toward a deep, deep coma...

Good friend, Nicole Bravo, and I left LA around four this morning and finally pulled up to our destination in beautiful Monterey around six this evening. Whew. Of course, we weren't driving the entire time, there were plenty of stops along the way that allowed us to soak up some of the best views this side of the country. The vast majority of the day we found ourselves slowly snaking along the foggy, soggy Pacific Coast Highway. Despite poor weather conditions, we made the best of things, having good conversation, snacking at will, and exploring wherever we pleased.

For once in my life, I allowed myself to get lost...I must admit, perfecting the art of "stopping to smell the roses" is no easy task, but someone's got to do it!

Stern's Warf, Santa Barbara
Vineyards, Santa Maria
A friend we made along the way who revealed some of the best kept secrets of the region!
Dick Miller, Moro Bay local, taken in front of a mural of his town.
Bridge along Pacific Coast Highway
Big Sur Coastline
Big Sur
Scenic Carmel

Tomorrow, we explore Monterey a bit and move to the city life, San Francisco. Good things to come, stay tuned!