From John Vonderlin
Email John ([email protected])
Hi June,
This is from the July 4th, 1897 issue of “The San Francisco Call.”
A Picturesque Road.
One of the most beautiful and pictur –
esque roads in all California is the one
that leads from San Mateo to Pescadero.
In all it is about twenty-eight miles long,
but it contains in that length many differ –
ent varieties of scenery. It is all interest –
ing, and after a person has been over the
road once, there is sure to be a desire to go
again.
The road in question leaves San Mateo
by passing tbe beautiful grounds of the big
hotel, and from there winds slowly up –
ward and westward. One of the first
points of interest to be seen is a balanced
rock. This natural curio stands by the
wayside about three miles out of San
Mateo, and close to the left-hand side of
the road. It rises about a hundred feet
into the air, and like all other freaks of
the same kind makes one wonder why it
does not fall. This freak is not mentioned
in any guidebook, but it is well worth go –
ing a few miles to look at.
For a time the road winds upward
along the sides of a creek that is tumbling
on its way to the sea, then makes a sud –
den sweep around a bluff and commences
a climb that does not cease until one of
the highest points of the Coast Range is
reached.
To tell all about this road would be a
long story. It is enough to say that it is
picturesque and beautiful, and that in a
journey over it one passes some of as
bright bits of nature as can be seen on the
face of the earth. The ride down the val –
ley just before Half moon. Bay is reached
is particularly beautiful and pleasing.
After leaving Halfmoon Bay the roads
passes through Purissima, San Gregono
and other pretty hamlets. On the route
there may be seen the ruins of Alexander
Gordon’s old grain chute, which must be
conceded to have been one of the greatest
feats of engineering ever attempted in
California. Near the same place is all
that is left of the famous wood tree
bridge. In nearly all seasons of the year
the trip over this road in the stage is most
enjoyable. There is something to interest
on every foot of it from the time you pass
from beneath the oaks at San Mateo until
the salt air strikes your nostrils at Pes –
cadero.
by passing tbe beautiful grounds of the big
hotel, and from there winds slowly up –
ward and westward. One of the first
points of interest to be seen is a balanced
rock. This natural curio stands by the
wayside about three miles out of San
Mateo, and close to the left-hand side of
the road. It rises about a hundred feet
into the air, and like all other freaks of
the same kind makes one wonder why it
does not fall. This freak is not mentioned
in any guidebook, but it is well worth go –
ing a few miles to look at.
For a time the road winds upward
along the sides of a creek that is tumbling
on its way to the sea, then makes a sud –
den sweep around a bluff and commences
a climb that does not cease until one of
the highest points of the Coast Range is
reached.
To tell all about this road would be a
long story. It is enough to say that it is
picturesque and beautiful, and that in a
journey over it one passes some of as
bright bits of nature as can be seen on the
face of the earth. The ride down the val –
ley just before Half moon. Bay is reached
is particularly beautiful and pleasing.
After leaving Halfmoon Bay the roads
passes through Purissima, San Gregono
and other pretty hamlets. On the route
there may be seen the ruins of Alexander
Gordon’s old grain chute, which must be
conceded to have been one of the greatest
feats of engineering ever attempted in
California. Near the same place is all
that is left of the famous wood tree
bridge. In nearly all seasons of the year
the trip over this road in the stage is most
enjoyable. There is something to interest
on every foot of it from the time you pass
from beneath the oaks at San Mateo until
the salt air strikes your nostrils at Pes –
cadero.