Travels With Grace: Del Monte and San Francisco, Part 1
Welcome to the next segment of our 2019 #TravelTuesday series: Travels with Grace. Today Grace begins exploring 1920s San Francisco and its environs.
En Route to Del Monte
July 6, 1924: Left Los Angeles at 8 A.M. via Southern Pacific. Mrs. Kiwel went [to the] station to see us off. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. Our route took us along the coast for many miles, about 150, during which we had the mountains on one side and the Pacific on the other. We went thru the famous Chatsworth tunnel, quite the biggest I have traversed, skirted the Santa Marguerita pass. The trip was one of contrasts, heights and depths, arid wastes, wide stretches of desert lands, on one of which were told was enacted a part of the “Ten Commandments,” and huge sand dunes, then again numerous fields of flowers highly cultivated, or growing wild by the wayside. We also saw huge rocks jutting out into the ocean; on the summit of one such mound of stone and right at the edge was perched a light house. Passed acres of thick green alfalfa. As the scenery grows more rugged, we leave the orange belt behind and pink trees are more in evidence (in the south these are sort of a rarity.) On the train with us was the “Romance” company. Doris [???] sat opposite me in the diner and we talked to some of the party in our car.
Del Monte
July 7, 1924: The Hotel Del Monte, where we arrived last night at about 8:15 P.M. is a huge rambling structure set in the midst of a magnificent park of several hundred acres. This afternoon we took the famous 17-mile drive which to us was an unending source of delight. First, we inspected the quant old town of Monterey which really has the most antique atmosphere of any of the other towns I have seen that boast of their ancient inceptions. Here we saw the first custom house, home of first U.S. Consul to California, first theatre in Calif. (it now has geraniums growing up between the steps) and home of Robt. L. Stevenson.
Then we also saw many pretty modern residences though none so pretentious as those we saw farther south. We skirted the rugged rock-bound coast where the waves come flying into the little coves and bays, many years of their savage poundings having cut out natural caves and apertures into the huge rocks. One of the latter is called Bird Rock and it is simply covered with thousands of huge cormorants constantly fluttering over and setting upon it. A little further on is another rock called Seal Rock fairly glistening with the wet backs of these animals sunning themselves upon it. Parts of the beach are covered with a fine white sand shining as tho with myriads of diamonds, it is the silicate. They make glass of this. The queer misshapen cypress trees like ghosts, bent by the wind into all sorts of queer shapes, on one side, green and bare on the other. The air is laden with a pungent aroma of pure salty brine. There are many [palms?] with Spanish moss.
This scenery has a wild sort of beauty that is fascinating. The waves as they dash savagely up over the rocks send their spray flying dozens of feet high in the air and the coast winds in and out forming hundreds of bays and peninsulas. One lovely place is called Carmel Bay and there is Pebble Beach which is so named for the little black pebbles washed up on the shore. Here are many aristocratic [???] at Del Monte Lodge commanding a magnificent view of the bay. We saw the hotel grounds on our return from the ride. They comprise hundreds of acres; contain vegetable gardens, hot houses, a Roman Plunge, tennis courts, fancy cedar hedges forming a maze, big artificial lake, etc. Watched dancing in hotel tonight.
San Francisco
July 8, 1924: Left Del Monte this morning at 8:20. Met a Mr. and Mrs. Cahn on the train, very nice people. The ride was not as pretty as coming up from Los Angeles. Passed a good many fruit orchards and flowers. Principal towns en route San Jose and San Mateo and Palo Alto. Arrived at San Francisco at 12:00 and went directly to Hotel Whitcomb. City is all decorated in honor of visit of British fleet, American and English flags being everywhere in the streets. Not nearly as bustling and crowded as Los Angeles. Sat in hotel lobby tonight and listened to music.
July 9, 1924: The temperature is much cooler here than in Los An. Nearly everyone wears a winter coat. This afternoon we took a thirty mile drive going thru Lincoln Park where is a beautiful public golf course, and terminus of Lincoln highway where we saw old and modern fortifications, soldiers and officers quarters, [prisons?], huge disappearing guns, etc., Exposition grounds, beautiful Golden Gate park with its many varieties of trees and flowers, chain of lakes on which are wild ducks, black swans, etc., buffalo deer and sheep enclosures, Japanese tea house, Music stand donated by Spreckels. Passed the sulfur baths.
Drove up to the summit of Twin Peaks where we had a good view of the whole city and the Golden Gate, 45 miles long and one of the finest harbors in the world. Went thru the new residential district of Forest Hill, Westwood Park, St. Francis wood, Ingleside Terraces and Pacific Heights where are different types of bungalows all bedecked with flowers, these residences not at all like those we saw in Los An. and surroundings, not as much ground around them and more compact and higher. Nearly all have garages built underneath. Passed Dolores Mission on our return. Went to the St. Francis Hotel for dinner. Mat Crespin, Nathan Hecht there, also Miss [Auspach?] and friend. Saw many of the British officers here. A very lively hotel. Music and dancing during dinner. Afterwards took a walk and saw many pretty shops.
July 10, 1924: In the mornings there is always a heavy fog which makes the air quite chilly but about ten o’clock this is dissipated and then it gets much warmer though it is always cool enough for a wrap. This morning I received a lovely box of conserved fruit from Cousin Nathan Hecht. This afternoon we took a walk up Market St. and went thru one of the many indoor markets that they have here. It is very clean and there is every variety of food stuffs, raw and in cans as well as confections displays in closed glass shelves. Also dairy products, fruits, etc. Samples of some things are given away. Then we went to a movie. Saw Gloria Swanson in “Manhandled.”
San Francisco and Environs
July 11, 1924: We left San Francisco via the S.P. Ferry at 10: A.M. and in half an hour we arrived in Oakland. Passing thru this very pretty city we saw the business district, City Hall, Oakland Hotel, Municipal Auditorium, and Lake Merritt in the heart of the city surrounded by a park and beautiful homes. From Oakland we passed into Piedmont, a millionaire residential district overlooking Golden Gate. Here is house of William Randolph Hearst. We rode around what is known as the Skyline Blvd, where ever-changing panoramas of San Francisco are constantly unfolded as we twist and turn upwards to an elevation of 1400 ft. We stopped at the [Blarraunt?] Hotel for lunch, beautifully situated amidst gardens and commanding a superb view from the balcony of the bay and surrounding country.
Then we rode thru Berkley, the whole city was nearly wiped out by fire last year, the campus of the University of California, saw the Campanile 302 ft. of white granite, the Greek theater and the stadium seating 75000. At Richmond we saw the Standard Oil works and site of the new Proctor and Gamble factory (there is also a Shredded Wheat plant here). Then we crossed on another ferry to Point San Quentin where we saw the State Penitentiary and some of the prisoners. This place also has a beautiful location. From San Quentin we continue to San Rafael and thru Marin County where we saw some of the prettiest tracts of wooded land, orchards, flower gardens and luxuriant shrubbery, most of it growing uncultivated in wild profusion.
The roads winding under leafy arches. Eucalyptus and redwood trees abound here. Lovely homes border the hills of Ross and Kentfield. Saw Mt. Tamalpais from a distance. Passed thru Mil Valley and Sausalito, little towns resting at the foot of the mountains. At the latter place we boarded the ferry to return to San Francisco and crossed the bay at sunset, having a view en route of the island of Alcatraz where is the Federal Prison. On our return to the hotel we passed thru a part of Chinatown. Upon arriving at our room I found 1 dozen beautiful American beauty roses from Edith Hecht.
San Francisco
San Francisco and Environs
July 13, 1924: We left San Francisco in the motor bus at 10: A.M. and rode over winding roads climbing upwards for nearly two hours, passing fields of artichokes, with the buds on some of the plants and on others the big purple flowers. We passed many truck farms, mostly lettuce and giant cabbages, and fields of wheat, alfalfa and other grants, many of the farms cultivated by Japanese, saw herds of blooded stock, mostly Holstein, horses and flocks of sheep. Crystal Spring lakes were strung at intervals along the road and as we climbed up the Coast Range Mt. we caught glimpses of the Pacific and later of Half Moon Bay which gives its name to a little town several miles further on. Then we skirt the sea coast where the road skirts the edge of ragged promontories and looked down upon the jagged reefs extending out into the ocean. From San Gregorio we turn inland, past Troutmere where we see the hatchery of rainbow trout then into the heart of the redwood forest, insects never get into these trees, some of the trees measuring 18 and 20 ft. in girth but the majority much slimmer, many eucalyptus trees, all tall and straight and shedding their bark in little pieces while the madrones shed theirs in long strips which form a soft carpet on the floor of La Honda Canyon (meaning deep canyon). Here are situated many camps and inns, attractive little rustic bungalows, log cabins all bright with flowers and many tents. We stopped at Big Tree Inn for lunch, a pavilion fitted out in yellow wood, yellow [???] curtains at windows and little baskets of sweet peas on the tables. Upon leaving here we saw groves of madrone trees with reddish yellow trunks (shedding their bark in little strips) and light green leaves. [Finds?] primroses and yellow poppies beside the road. Visited Leland Stanford University. Handsome yellow sandstone buildings. The memorial chapel incrusted within and within in gorgeous mosaics (biblical subjects) and stained glass windows gleaming like jewels. Mosaic freize or art gallery with appropriate subjects. Saw statue of “Angel of Grief.” Home via bus. [???? And Sam Mat?].
San Francisco
July 14, 1924: Shopped at O’Connor Moffat this morning. Went to the Rosenthal’s home a handsome brownstone house on Pacific Ave and after a visit with them. Mrs. Rosenthal took us in her car to the China Town district where we saw some beautiful oriental shops and then to the Francesca apts. built in the Italian style. Here we spent 2 most delightful hours with Cousin Edith Hecht and her brother Joel in the former’s magnificent apt. We looked at old family photos, some rare books and manuscripts, wonderful antique furniture and art objects. Both she and Cousin Joel are charming, cultured people, highly educated speaking several languages. Their other brother Elias, who is out of town, is a prominent musician of San Francisco. They served up tea. Went to Palace Hotel for dinner. Music and dancing.
San Francisco and Merced
July 15, 1924: Mesdames Rosenthal called on us this morning. The old lady brought us a box of glace fruit and another of lovely cakes. The younger gave us a pretty vanity case. At two o’clock we crossed on the ferry to Oakland and here boarded the train which took us to Merced at 8:50 P.M. The trip was uneventful and the scenery not especially interesting. We again passed the orange groves and palms recalling our trips farther south. At Merced we stopped at El Capitan a very nice hotel for a town of this size (5660). After dinner we took a walk up the street and stepped into the theatre (shows given twice weekly, admission 75 cents but we paid nothing) and saw a vaudeville and movie (Hall Caines’ book “The Master of Man”). It is such a lovely night, moonlight and starlight and soft balmy air like we had in the tropical seas coming out a month ago.
We’ll continue with Grace’s California adventures next week as she travels to Yosemite – see you on Tuesday!
Thanks for reading “Traveling with Grace,” a series where we’re sharing (and annotating) posts from the travel diaries of Grace Amelia Hecht, native Baltimorean, b. 1897 and d. 1955. As mentioned in my introductory post transcription errors sometimes occur and I’ve made my best guesses where possible, denoted by [brackets]. – Rachel Kassman, marketing manager