During one of his trips to the U.S. company of 5 people wanted to ride on Sunday in California. To feel cabin quite freely, it was decided to take the minivan. But there it was. Since the idea was spontaneous and the car was not booked in advance, in the first two respondents rentals in downtown San Francisco, free car was not there. The most typical answer Manager: "Today is Sunday, and you want to take your reservation without a car." In the third in a row managed to hire only the Hummer H3, which at that time was very new model and the cost is very expensive - $ 150 a day without insurance (apparently, that's why he was free). Almost fabulous for the U.S. price. Generally, the type of rental car is best defined in advance. In principle, you can rent a car, just go to one of the rolling points (for details about the features and cost rental cars in Europe and the U.S. see in our further materials). But if you do not book a car in advance, the probability of obtaining the desired model, as already described above, is minimal. The first dealt with low-cost and compact models, which is not surprising: 20-30 dollars a day, without insurance (45-55 dollars with full insurance) - very low price for complete mobility. For the same money you can make two or three (four or five) is very small taxi ride through the city, buy a train ticket one way in economy (business class) in a nearby town, to go up by 2-4 hours, or lunch in a modest (average) restaurant. As you can see, full insurance car is inexpensive compared with the troubles that can amass, not having it. Now just a couple of words about the rules of the road in the U.S.. Externally, the SDA U.S. do not differ much from the Russian. Basic principles: not to exceed the rate of more than 5 miles beyond this limit, do not try to rush at the last moment on the already lighting up the red light, slow down at the sight of the sign «Stop», missing pedestrians, and to monitor closely the markings and signs on the roads. By the way, according to the "natives" in the U.S. there is such a thing as a «Californian stop» («The California stop"). Does it mean that the driver of the sign «Stop» does not stop completely, as prescribed by the rules, but only slows down to 3-5 km / h (not 35, but it is up to 3-5, ie to a speed walker) - in the U.S. is considered a great insolence. Another couple of important nuances. Nuance one: a yellow stripe. On many motorways left lane is separated by yellow markings. If you are not alone in the car or is public transportation - you are welcome to it. Otherwise - a rather big fine (at the time of our trip - $ 270), a lot of headache (up to the summons), and potentially (if not paying a fine or appear in court), the ban on entry into the U.S.. Nuance two: the U.S. can turn right at a red light (RTOR, Right Turn On Red), if not specifically prohibits the inscription (No Turn On Red), usually placed near the traffic lights. In some states, under certain circumstances, allowed to turn left at the stoplight (LTOR, Left Turn On Red), but now will not go into such detail. On route, we decided quickly, and due to this choice was in many respects the type of rental car: a few attractions within the precincts of San Francisco and then tour the famous vineyards of California (north of San Francisco Bay). Here we want to make a small digression about grapes, vineyards and, of course, wine. Everyone knows the vineyards of France, Spain and Italy. French wines are generally considered almost a standard. Anyway, sure of the French sommelier. However, the California wines are not worse. Why? About this below. The first vineyards were planted in the U.S. about 70 years of XVIII century, the Franciscan monk. Roughly a century later one of the Hungarian-born immigrants brought with him the seedlings of the best European varieties. Just a few years broke out in Europe a terrible epidemic of phylloxera, which destroyed virtually all the vineyards. In those difficult times European (French and including) the vineyards were saved only through vaccinations overseas vines that proved resistant to this little insect. Since then, American wines were virtually counterparts in Europe (or vice versa?). So that American wines are not only tasty, but have, if I may say so, a noble origin. California vineyards occupy an area of ??about 224 thousand hectares annually, it gives around 2 billion liters of wine. By the way, now the U.S. is the fourth country in the world of wine producers and one of the leaders in terms of so-called. ordinary (ie, in our opinion, "a regular table) wine. So if you happen to be in California, be sure to take a little time and money to go on tour. For around $ 120-150 during the wine tour »(Wine Tour) you are guaranteed not only a fascinating story about the history of California's vineyards and wine (in English, of course), but tasting of the most popular varieties. You can find tours and in Russian, but they usually cost a half to two times more expensive. So, armed with a map, we set out. First stop - the 39 th pier (Pier 39), one of the most popular and busy tourist attractions of San Francisco. Despite the large area, there are literally hundreds crammed cafe, restaurants and souvenir shops - so large number of them. Every weekend you can not only see but also to take part in various fun ideas and drawings. It is here that the city is an aquarium, and this is where you can taste the freshest oysters and try their luck in search of pearls. Not ducking them in the Gulf, of course, but only bought a few undisclosed, which cost, I must say, almost three times more expensive - a kind of lottery, or spetsattraktsion "for visiting tourists. But who knows, perhaps we have been instances, however, did not try. Pearl none of us are interested in, and there are oysters in large numbers (as in small - it makes no sense) in the morning and even in a purely male company - a thankless task ... But the biggest attraction of the 39 th pier - a rookery of sea lions. Spectacle - a fascinating, roaring - roaring. But no matter how it was a pity to leave this noisy, cheerful and colorful farce, we should go further - the daylight hours even though he was rather long, but still not infinite. Next a short stop - Chocolate Factory, Ghirardelli, one of the oldest enterprises in the U.S.. Founded in 1852, the factory controls the entire chocolate manufacturing process - from picking the cocoa fruit to produce the final product. Tour of the factory we make are not steel, but resist the pleasure to taste its products in the nearby cafe we ??certainly could not. Another very short stop - Lombard Street (Lombard street). According to local guides - "the most crooked streets in the world." In fact, strongly curved, not all street (pretty long, by the way), and only a small area near the Hills Russian (Russian Hills). Neither give nor take - we have built ... But joking aside, the street is really "that it is necessary" - for about 130-140 meters (this is on the line, and on the road, ie, "on the curve, perhaps, all 300 will be ) It makes eight very sharp turns. Speed ??of movement on this site is limited to 5 mph (8 kph). However, hardly in the world there are many drivers who can drive here without scratching the curb, at least twice as fast. Finally, the last stop before leaving the city limits - Bridge Golden Gate »(Golden Gate Bridge). Perhaps the most famous landmark in San Francisco. Piglet in "Golden Gate" is always full of tourists, but a place to park your Hummer, we still found. Look at this engineering marvel go "pilgrims" from all over the world. Here you can always hear not only English or Spanish language but also cries of delight in Japanese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, etc. And, of course, in Russian. However, on subjective assessments, our fellow citizens (not the former, and current), to see in his lifetime and in his native country a lot, more admired Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz Island (Alcatraz Island), the majestic view which opens from the site before bridge. This small rocky island, also known as The Rock (Rock), famous throughout the world that it is sitting here the famous Al Capone, as well as that of its territory located on the prison's history of existence could not escape any prisoner. Legend goes that two brothers are still managed. Once on the island is a lighthouse, and then he served as a naval fortifications, then a military prison, and finally, before the 60-ies of XX century - the civil prison. Only in 1972, he received the status of recreation areas and national monuments. Admire views of the bay and outlining the next stop of our trip, we drive to the bridge, "Golden Gate" to finally leave the city. (To be completed)
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