Postcard From Northern California

We’ve been visiting family in Northern California for the past week. Thought you might want to see a few photos. Above, a path through eucalyptus trees on Frenchmen’s Hill in Palo Alto. What have you been doing over the holiday? Click through for more photos.

Above, one of a handful of 19th century Queen Anne houses remaining in College Terrace, a neighborhood in Palo Alto near Stanford. Early 20th century houses predominate, and many have been enlarged, starting in the 1970s.

Above, the view from the top of Frenchman’s hill overlooking the Bay Area. Below, more houses in College Terrace.

Above, this 1950s house with a carport in front and flat roof was recently remodeled with a peaked roof and new windows — and no carport.

Above, this house is a new replica of the most elaborate 19th century gingerbread house in College Terrace, which was torn down in the 1990s because of extensive termite damage. Most houses in Northern California are wood frame, which are better able to withstand earthquakes than unreinforced masonry buildings.

A rose bush decorated as a Christmas tree. We saw daffodils and roses blooming side by side. Below, more Christmas decorations.

Above, the oldest still-active Girl Scout house in the U.S., dedicated in 1926. Below, the Secret Garden in back of the Children’s Library in Palo Alto, part of the Palo Alto Cultural Center, built in the 1930s.

Above and below, the beach in Carmel.

Above, our favorite Volvo in Carmel, Calif.