Arriving in California

I flew into Oakland and took the cab from the airport over to the Matson Shipping area. The cab ride was only $39, which was better than I thought it would be.  Picking up my car was super easy.  I asked the guy at Matson where the closest gas station was. He said to get out of Oakland, since it wasn't such a nice area. Then get gas.  So I listened to him and ended up paying  $4.15 per gallon for a tank of gas!!!! That's more expensive than Hawaii.  Then I saw Jamba Juice!!!! So I got my usual Original Aloha Pineapple with not as much pineapple juice and more strawberries.  It was $4.70, so I think the prices were about the same as Hawaii.
Then I was debating on driving North or South of San Francisco.  I decided on South after talking to a few people.
First Stop was the Pigeon Point Lighthouse.  There I met a really nice older couple.  I saw some seals in the water.  It was COLD!!!!!  I had no idea how cold California was!!! 
From Pigeon Poing Lighthouse, I continued south to Santa Cruz.  I watched some surfers in the water and then drove to the boardwalk.  I was hungry so I decided to eat some  Garlic cheese Fries and drink a bud Light.  The two of them combined was about $12!!!  I swear since arriving here, there must be garlic in EVERYTHING. 
After leaving Santa Cruz, I drove back North and checked into the hotel. It was the Hyatt Regency by the San Francisco Airport.  That hotel was so big, I thought I would get lost.  I am not used to valet parking or having bell men.  I now realize, I like the hotels without all that stuff.  Having to tip everytime you take a step seems to get very expensive very quickly.
I picked Jenn up at the airport at 11pm and then we went to tKnuckles, the Sports Bar in the hotel to celebrate the start of our trip.