About Us

First we would like to introduce ourselves. We are Tom and Margaret Husband and live in SanMargaret and Tom Husband Jose, which is 60 miles from San Francisco at the south end of the San Francisco Bay. Tom has lived in the Bay Area all his life but I have only been here since 2001 when I emigrated from England.

[Click on the image for a larger version]

What is so great About California?

We both think California, or to be more specific Northern California, is a fantastic place. At the weekends we enjoy our trips out with our cameras. Tom has a Nikon D300 and I am a happy snapper with my Canon Powershot S3IS.

Here we have everything – the Pacific Ocean with miles of sandy beaches, each one with its unique attraction, within an hours’ drive. The Santa Cruz Mountains are just down the road and the Sierras a couple of hours away. San Francisco Bay with its wildlife refuges is on our doorstep. We are surrounded by State and National parks. San Francisco city, the Marin Headlands, the wine country, Monterey, the Gold Country, Mount Hamilton and Mount Diablo are all reachable on a day trip.

Since I have been here I have seen up close and personal a lot of wild life which is completely new to me – a tarantula, a rattlesnake, numerous birds of prey, elk and even a bobcat.

Then there are the Farmers Markets, with their profusion of fruits, vegetables, nuts and fresh fish. Most weekends will find us at either the Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Campbell or San Francisco Farmers Market.

The icing on the cake is, of course, the weather.

One word sums it all up – choices.

July 21 2007 09:08 pm

44 Responses to “About Us”

  1. Lizzy on 21 Oct 2007 at 2:22 pm #

    I recomend that anyone looking at this website should take the time to check out all the photo’s some of them are simply breath taking. My favourite ones are the Franklin Point photo and the picture of Canyon de Chelly.

  2. Tom and Margaret on 21 Oct 2007 at 7:03 pm #

    Lizzy

    Thanks for your positive comments. The blog gives us a lot of pleasure and it is nice that other people enjoy looking at it.

  3. Dmitri on 01 Nov 2007 at 7:27 pm #

    Hello Tom and Margaret
    Just stambled onto your blog. Very nice. Next time you coming this way send me an email.I’ll give you a tour of the roastery and we’ll sample some great coffees(I am on the backroads of San Juan and a bit hard to find)
    By the way Margaret I am a big fan of oatmeal my self, especially still cut
    Dmitri

  4. Tom and Margaret on 01 Nov 2007 at 8:28 pm #

    Hi Dmitri,

    Thanks for the invite to Vertigo Coffee. We’ll take you up on that. We love San Juan Bautista. It’s a very special place for us.

    I Like your site too (Vertigocoffee.com). Very nicely done. It sounds like you have some delicious blends.

    Thanks again,

    Tom

  5. Stephanie Fermin on 03 Jan 2008 at 1:14 pm #

    Hello Tom and Margaret,
    My name is Stephanie Fermin, Publications Manager for the San Mateo County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Your website is fabulous! I would love to coordinate with the two of you to get some more press on San Mateo County. Please let me know on average how many hits your website receives everyday and any other publication either of you two represent or have written for. Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.

    Cheer to 2008!

    -Stephanie

  6. Trippen on 05 Jan 2008 at 6:19 pm #

    Hello you two. Happy new Year. We are linking to each other blogs. You do the north, I do the South.
    I really enjoy reading your blog and looking at the pictures. Keep up the good work. Looks like you are having a bad run on breakfast places. If you come down to my neck of California try “The Ship” in Fullerton it’s a very popular English pub and has great food.

  7. Tom and Margaret on 05 Jan 2008 at 6:35 pm #

    Hi Trippen,

    Thanks for the comment. We like your site too. You’ve visited a lot of places. We need to hit Bodie again it’s a real special place. We haven’t been out and about for a few weeks due to the holidays but we’ll be back at it shortly. Take care and thanks again.

    Hey folks check out California Day Trips!

    Tom and Margaret

  8. Anusha and Arvind on 16 Jan 2008 at 11:28 pm #

    Just wanted to leave a note saying wonderful pictures and very inspiring travelogue. We have your website bookmarked to guide us in our No-Cal exploration. If I may ask a question, how do you decide where to go and how far ahead do you plan? It has been one of our major problems doing both of these. Thanks for such nice reads once again.

  9. Tom and Margaret on 17 Jan 2008 at 9:13 am #

    Hi Anusha and Arvind

    Your favorable comments are much appreciated. It’s nice to know that there are folks out there reading our blog.

    We have a wish list of locations we want to visit, including interesting places, hikes and back roads. Fortunately we are ideally situated in San Jose, so we are able to pick and choose where we go almost on the spur of the moment. Additionally there are some locations we can only visit at certain times. For instance, whale watching at Franklin Point (will be in late March when the mothers and their newly born calves head north and are close to shore); Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (will be in May when there is a minus low tide early in the morning) and the Berkeley Kite Festival (late July).

    There are also some hikes and bike rides planned but these will depend on the weather. Recently we have had a bout of storms so will wait until the ground dries out a bit.

    Of course, we are always adding to the list and we never seem to run out of ideas. That’s what is so great about Northern California.

    We hope your enjoy your expedition and have fun.

  10. Michele on 05 Mar 2008 at 8:26 am #

    Hello there,
    I came across your site last weekend when I decided to take my 40 International Students to Marin Headlands…I really want you to know that your site (stories, descriptions and photos) are really great! I have subscribed to your feed and now look forward to more. I myself live in San Francisco and you are inspiring me to do what I have been wanting to do for a long time now…a blog about all my walks and visit in this area. Thank you!

  11. Tom and Margaret on 05 Mar 2008 at 10:28 am #

    Hi Michele and thanks for the kind comments. We never get tired of exploring the area. We are very lucky to be living here.

    You blog plans sound like a great idea. Let us know when it’s up. We would like to link to it.

    Thanks again,

    Margaret and Tom

  12. LJ Urquidi on 05 May 2008 at 5:54 pm #

    Hi,
    Just wanted to reply about the deli that you inquired about in Lee Vining, CA. I believe what you are referring to is “The Whoa Nelli Deli”, it is located in the Tioga Gas Mart: 22 Vista Point Rd. Lee Vining, CA 93541 (760-647-1088). I am planning a short roadtrip at the end of June to Yosemite, Bodie, Mono Lake, Lee Vining, June Lake Loop, Mammoth Lakes, Devil’s Postpile and anywhere else I can find. I have read a lot about the deli and it was all good. I’ll let you know when I get back how it was. LJ

  13. Sarah Hantz on 05 Aug 2008 at 10:48 am #

    Hi Tom & Margaret

    I have just come across your website and it’s just brilliant. I have just Married a Californian and moved from England to San Jose and we are always trying to find fun things to do and explore around the area together on a budget. We both love nature and photography and your website has given me lots of new places to add to the list to visit. Any particular favourites of yours you would highly recommend visiting??

  14. Carol on 15 Aug 2008 at 12:15 pm #

    Stumbled upon your site – well done! Thanks for putting it together and I will check back often.

    Two suggestions: The Hostel at Ft. Cronkite (Marin, near Sausalito) and the Hostel at Pt. Reyes near Limantour Beach. Only $23/night to stay in a great historic dwelling and such beautiful vistas!

    Take care!

  15. Margaret and Tom on 15 Aug 2008 at 1:08 pm #

    Thanks Carol,

    Those are some great suggestions. We’re not familiar with the hostel at Point Reyes but anything at Point Reyes is breathtaking.

    We’ve seen the one at Ft. Cronkite and it’s in a beautiful location too. I believe the Army is in the process of turning that property over to G.G.N.R.A. so it’s going to be a real jewel. There’s a fairly new restaurant there too that’s received some good reviews. Can’t remember the name.

    Thanks again,

    Tom

  16. Vibeke Sommer on 01 Apr 2009 at 5:19 am #

    Is it possible that we can get and show your photo of Pigeon Point Lighthouse in a Danish textbook?

    I wish I would see the Highway One photos but the links does not work.

    http://california-travels.com/2007/10/25/pigeon-point-lighthouse/#more-54

  17. Margaret and Tom on 01 Apr 2009 at 7:11 am #

    Hi Vibeke,

    Thanks for the comment. I replied via a separate email.

    Sorry about the link to Highway 1 Images. I’m re-doing the site and should have removed the link.

    Tom

  18. Janet Owen-Thomas on 14 Jul 2009 at 3:16 pm #

    Hi Margaret
    I sit next to your sister Sue in the office where we work. When she heard I was going to California she gave me your website.
    Your photos are great. I have booked to come out for 2 weeks in October, but after reading all there is to do, I fear I need 2 months!!
    We are spending 4 days in San Francisco then hiring a car and plan to drive the Big Sur and to Yosemite. Your info on Yosemite was very helpful. Do you know if it’s best to drive up or down the coast, which direction gives the best views?
    If my photos are half as good as yours I’ll be pleased.
    Jan

  19. Margaret and Tom on 14 Jul 2009 at 7:54 pm #

    Hi Jan

    The Big Sur coastline is fantastic. We recommend driving south on Highway 1 because it’s more thrilling, especially for the passenger.

    Margaret

  20. Jolaine on 27 Jul 2009 at 11:33 am #

    Hi-

    While you’re in the Gold Country, we’d love to welcome you to the El Dorado Wine Country in and around Placerville and Fair Play. There are more than 50 family-owned wineries in the region and you’ll appreciate the hospitality and discovering some unusual wines hailing from the Rhone, Italy, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Spain and more. You’ll often find our winemakers in the tasting rooms, pouring complementary wine. You’ll also find lovely places to dine, shop and stay nearby.

    Enjoy your next adventure. And please let me know if you’d like to make a stop in El Dorado!
    Jolaine

  21. Margaret and Tom on 27 Jul 2009 at 12:28 pm #

    Thanks Jolaine! Great idea. We haven’t done that yet. We love the wineries in the Gold Country. So much more fun than the Napa Valley where you have to compete for space with the huge tour buses and all the people they bring. We really like the Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley and Healdsburg area in Sonoma County but even there some of the wineries have gone big time like Napa.

    Next time it’s El Dorado.

    Regards,

    Margaret and Tom

  22. John Clifton on 05 Aug 2009 at 3:41 am #

    Hi Mags and Tom,

    Fantastic web site. Really enjoy browsing it. One day I’d like to descend on you with the family. It’s great that you are so enthusiastic about where you live.

    All the best,

    John x

  23. Margaret and Tom on 06 Aug 2009 at 12:44 pm #

    Thanks, John, for the kind words. Anytime you want to drop in let us know. Several of our British friends and family have used our place as a base while they explored the west.

    Take care,

    Margaret and Tom

  24. Craig and Jenny on 01 Dec 2009 at 12:01 pm #

    Nice meet you guys last weekend in Inverness. We saw “the boat” :-)

  25. Margaret and Tom on 01 Dec 2009 at 9:35 pm #

    It’s was great to meet you both as well. Glad you saw the boat. I’m sure there will be a photo of the boat when we get round to posting our Point Reyes weekend. Look out for it in a couple of weeks.

    Will look out for you when we visit Campbell Farmers Market.

    Regards

    Margaret

  26. Stephanie on 09 Feb 2010 at 11:16 am #

    Hello I was looking through your breakfast blog area and was deeply sadden to not see Putah Creek Cafe in Winters California. It is one amazing breakfast restaurant with everything being homemade. They even have a in house baker. It is so Amazing. You should stop by this small town has a lot to offer. May I suggest try the cinnamon rolls!!

  27. Margaret and Tom on 09 Feb 2010 at 11:48 am #

    Thanks, Stephanie, for the suggestion. We’ll certainly try Putah Creek Cafe the next time we’re up that way. It sounds like a place we would love. Do they do oatmeal? Margaret loves oatmeal.

    Regards,

    Tom

  28. Natalie Roberts on 26 Apr 2010 at 5:43 am #

    Hi Margaret and Tom. What an inspirational website. I must visit California soon. In fact, I think I might start saving now! Well done on your content and photographs! Natalie, Brighton, England

  29. Margaret and Tom on 26 Apr 2010 at 10:45 am #

    Thanks Natalie! Anytime you guys want to come over you certainly have a place to stay.

    And congrats on finishing the London Marathon! Not a bad time either.

    Tom

  30. Luna on 31 Jul 2010 at 3:43 pm #

    Margaret and Tom, It almost seems unworldly to have bumped into your site right now. We are flying in from New York next week to get married. It will only be the 2 of us.
    There’s one particular spot along Highway 1 where years back we met, and this is worth flying a few thousands miles to get to for this ceremony.
    Prior to reading this, we thought the place was Año Nuevo Park, though weren’t quite certain.
    Needless to say, gifting us with pictures and words of the places, moods and spaces is priceless.

    We are also looking for a secluded small beach somewhere between San Francisco and Pescadero where we could take a quick dip in the water without worrying about the sharks hanging out near seal populated spots.

    Is there any way I could contact you to ask you about more specific questions inside Año Nuevo, to see if the cove we remember is the one you describe and make sure it will be accessible when we’re there next week?

    I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate your beautiful blog!

  31. Margaret and Tom on 31 Jul 2010 at 4:33 pm #

    Thanks, Luna, for the kind words. Hope you can find that special place along the cost. Año Nuevo is a few miles south of Pigeon Point lighthouse which is south of Pescadero. As far as swimming, we won’t do that off the coast here, the water is too cold with dangerous undertows and sleeper waves. We’ve seen folks swimming at Pillar Point Harbor, north of Half Moon Bay and the wind surfers like several places along the coast. The ocean from the Año Nuevo parking lot is a mile or so hike so I wonder if you remember that?

    There are many secluded spots along the coast. The place we love the best is Franklin Point across from Costanoa resort. It’s between Año Nuevo and Pigeon Point lighthouse. For a secluded beach Bean Hollow is nice. We talk about it in this post.

    We’ll drop you a private email with our phone number so feel free to call. We’d love to help you out.

    Margaret and Tom

  32. Heather on 12 Dec 2010 at 10:42 pm #

    Hello Margaret and Tom-

    I just found your website. I love it! I’d love to place a link to it, on my blog, for my friends and family to enjoy. Mind if I do that. It’s here:

    http://hfrank007.wordpress.com

    Thanks a bunch!

    Heather Frank

  33. Margaret and Tom on 13 Dec 2010 at 6:41 am #

    Hi Heather,

    Sure, linking to us would be great. We’ll link to you too. We like your writing style and, of course, your love of Northern California.

    Check out (Nomadic) Knitting Nurse. The latest posts are about the Lost Coast.

    Thanks, again, for the link.

    Margaret and Tom

  34. Ewald on 27 Dec 2010 at 6:36 pm #

    like your website

  35. kathy on 20 Jan 2011 at 8:19 am #

    Dear Tom & Margeret,

    I’ve read / saw your advert / website it’s really interesting.
    I’m interested in traveling with my family to California this summer (July / August), we would like to stay for a month in a hotel or private apartment, how do i go about this / can you be able to help?

    I look forward to hearing from you.
    Kind regards,

  36. Margaret and Tom on 21 Jan 2011 at 6:03 am #

    Hi Kathy,

    Thanks for the interest. We sent you a separate email with some suggestions.

    Regards,

    Margaret and Tom

  37. Anne on 06 Jun 2011 at 11:05 am #

    Margaret & Tom
    Hi- I’m a graphic designer in Marin County and am designing a website for a client. We’d like to use some of your photos on her website. Can you please contact me to negotiate/ Thanks so much
    -Anne

  38. Margaret and Tom on 06 Jun 2011 at 12:45 pm #

    Thanks, Anne, for the inquiry. I sent you a separate email in this regard.

    Tom

  39. RAY EYRE on 13 Jun 2011 at 6:56 am #

    HI TOM& MARGARET
    OFTEN LOOK AT YOUR TRAVEL JOUNEYS KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
    REGARDS RAY

  40. Margaret and Tom on 13 Jun 2011 at 9:32 am #

    Thanks, Ray, we appreciate you taking time to comment.

    Margaret and Tom

  41. Pat on 03 Aug 2011 at 2:58 pm #

    Very nice blog! I have a similar site and thought you might enjoy it. Exploringnorcal.com

  42. Margaret and Tom on 03 Aug 2011 at 3:08 pm #

    Hi Pat,

    Thanks for the kind words. Your posts about Northern California are good too. So many places to see. Ain’t California wonderful? One area we need to see is the north eastern corner of our state.

    Cheers,

    Margaret and Tom

  43. Bbygal on 23 Dec 2011 at 4:07 pm #

    Hi,

    I stumbled upon your blog while searching for FILOLI and it’s a great resource for spots in norcal. We’ve lived in the bay area for years and I have not even heard of some of these places. Will have to start exploring soon!

  44. Margaret and Tom on 23 Dec 2011 at 4:20 pm #

    Thanks for letting us know. We’re fortunate to live in this area with so many wonderful places to see. Too many for one lifetime that’s for sure.

    Have fun!

    Tom and Margaret

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