220

 

ing oxen, 180,000 bushels of wheat and
barley, besides $75,000 worth of merchan-
dize and hard cash.

The greater portion of all this wealth
was confiscated by the Mexican Govern-
ment, so that when California became a
portion of the United States little re-
mained, except these old adobe walls and
grounds, together with about 600 volumes
of old Spanish books, manuscripts and
records.

Returning to the city, we pass many
objects of interest well worthy of notice,
and through a portion of the city rapidly
building up, and in a substantial manner.

Route 2,—At the wharf, beside Oak-
land Ferry, we will find one of the large
steamboats that run in connection with the
Vallejo route; let us step on board, and
note whatcan be seen. Leaving the wharf,
our course is north, with the Oakland
wharf, the route by which we come—far to
the right, as also Goat Island. On our
left is Alcatraz, with its heavy fortifications,
beyond which is the Golden Gate; a little
farther to the northward, is the Coast
Range, with Mt. Tamalpais as the high-
est peak; elevation, 2,604 feet.

Looking back, we have a beautiful view
ef the city; a little furtheron, Oakland,
West Oakland, and Berkley on the right,
with the Contra Costa Mountains for a
back-ground. Now we pass—on the left—
Angel Island,San Quintin, and San Rafael,
in the order written. Now comes the
“Grandfather,” a huge red rock on the
left, above the “Old Man and Woman.”

Continuing on, we come to the “Two
Brothers,’ on which is located San Pablo
lighthouse; beyond these are the “Two
Sisters,’ making seven rocky islands.
Opposite the light-house, on the right, is
Point Pedro, which projects out from the
mountains on the east, far to the westward,
as though to bar our progress.

Rounding this “ point,’ we enter San
Pablo Bay, which spreads out to the right
and left for many miles. Away to the far
right can be seen a portion of the town of
North Berkley, and further north, San
Pablo, through which runs the Berkley
branch of the “Central” to Martinez, as
before noted, under Oakland.

Passing on, we come in front of the
Straits of Carquinez, through which flows
the Sacramento River—as noted on page
200. We have left a broad expanse of
water on our left, over which steamers run

 

a lc acelin cate anata SRI iin isi

CROFUTT’S NEW OVERLAND TOURIST

     
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
    
  
  
  
   
    
  
  
  
  
 

to Petaluma—as noted in route No. 3.
Entering through a narrow channel,
with Mare Island close on our left, we
land at the wharf at Vallejo, take the cars
of the California Pacific, and roll along to
the Napa Valley Junction, where we were
before, while making a trip over the
“Vallejo Route.” (See page 202.)

Napa JUNcTION—by this route it is
33.59 miles from San Francisco, and 52.87
from Sacramento. Leaving the Junction
we roll up the beautiful valley 3.74 miles to

THOMPSON—a signal station, passed by
our train, as also many groves of young
trees on our right, and beauty on every
side. From Thompson it is 4.12 miles to

Napa Crry— Although this is Napa
City, county seat of Napa county, on Napa
River, andthe Napa Valley railroad, the
people by no means look sleepy, but as
bright as though they had just come out of
anap, or froma “nip.”

This is a lively town, of about 5,000
inhabitants, at the head of tide-water navi-
: nage for vessels and steamers of light

raught; supporting one daily paper, the
Reporter, and one weekly, the Record.

t is in the midst of a country noted
for its mild and genial climate, the great
fertility of its soil, and its many well-
cultivated vineyards—producing annually
over 300,000 gallons of wine and brandy.
It is completely hedged in by various
spurs of the Coast Range. The valley is
about 40 miles in length, by an average
width of four miles. This county is much
distinguished for its medicinal springs, the
most noted of which are the Soda Springs,
White Sulphur, and the Calistoga. Near
all these springs huge hotels have been
erected, which are crowded in sum-
mer by residents of this State, as well as
tourists from the East, who visit them for
health and pleasure.

At the head of this valley—in plain
view—is located Mt. St. Helena, an extinct
voleano, which rises 3,243 feet above tide.
The whole section around-about bears evi-
dences of the volcanic upheaval that once
lit up this whole country.

Near Napa City is located one of the two
State Insane Asylums—we found the other
near Stockton—completed at a cost of
over $1,000,000, and capable of accommo-
dating 800 persons. It is of brick, and
stands on an eminence about a mile anda
half from the city, to the east. Four first-
class seminaries and colleges—for the edu-
cation of girls and boys—besides many