(Gabi) Our trip was slowly coming to an end (those 3 weeks had flown by) and so it was time to drive back up to San Francisco again.

It takes a few hours to get to the big freeways from the national park entrance and so we were treated to yet another scenic drive.

I particularly enjoyed the yellow prairie stretching out under the bright blue sky.

Loads of wind turbines.

We decided to give legendary In-n-Out another go and liked it a lot more this time around. I really appreciated how fresh all the burger ingredients were. The onion, lettuce and tomato were so juicy and crunchy. I usually don’t like tomatoes in burgers but this one was so flavourful that I left it in. I’m starting to understand why Californians are so fond of this place.

After lunch we drove to Berkeley to shop for a couple of souvenirs at the little shops Aki had shown us at the start of our trip. Loved this Rapid Flyer succulent planter outside one of the shops!

Then it was time for our very last dinner in the Bay Area with Aki and the lovely Ami. Ami had driven down from Sacramento (the second time this holiday) to see us, which was insanely lovely of her.

Food was absolutely incredible. We shared loads of small Mediterranean tapas and every single plate was a winner. From top left to bottom right: Falafel, skewers with Manchego, Chorizo and anchovy stuffed olives, Serrano ham on baguette with onion jam and ham and cheese croquettes.

Asparagus with burrata, patatas bravas (potato wedges with pepper sauce and aioli) and lamb koftas with quinoa and mint sauce.

To end the day we went up on Grizzly Peak to take in this incredible night time view of the bay. You couldn’t see San Francisco because the fog had settled in but the twinkly lights of Berkeley and Oakland made up for it! Later, it was time to say goodbye to Aki, which was a bit sad. But we promised to come back!!