The Robertson and Sokoloff Grapevine Trail – Day 4

Submitted: 30th June 2026

The Robertson and Sokoloff Grapevine Trail – Day 4

Day 4

Half Moon Bay!

An Earthquake!

Trees that are taller than you ever did see!

Day four began strangely even by the standards of this trip. The bathroom was mysteriously locked, thankfully with no one inside it, but still not exactly convenient. Not only that, but the power was off despite the RV being hooked up to shore power. It took some time, but we finally figured out the culprit for both was a sizeable earthquake north of San Francisco. It had shaken the RV enough to jam the door lock and trigger the circuit breakers. Thankfully no other damage had been done, and no one had been hurt. Inevitably, the quake had wakened Alex and I’d slept through it.

The Grapevine book locations

The whole palaver of fixing things set us back though, and the clock was ticking. Day three had been publication day so very much a big deal. Day four however was centred around something bigger – Scotland v Brazil. It was my only red line in the schedule. Bookshops and booksellers were secondary to me being in front of a television, preferably in a bar, by 3 in the afternoon in Half Moon Bay, just a 50 mile drive up Big Sur.

Craig redwoods (c) Robertson and Sokoloff

The Grapevine book locations

First, we had plans to see redwoods as part of research for book two in the series. We headed to Cathedral Redwoods high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, a twisting climb that did nothing for my pre-match nerves. The trees were magnificent though; towering giants reaching for the sun, surrounded by springy trampolines of fallen branches.

Alex redwoods (c) Robertson and Sokoloff

The Grapevine book locations

Back on the road, we followed the coast north to Half Moon Bay. The drive was spectacular with plunging cliffs, crashing waves and golden sandy beaches. Time was short but the urge to pull over and take photographs was irresistible.

Pelicans (c) Robertson and Sokoloff

The Grapevine book locations

The view was fabulous and it came with a bonus shot of a few hundred pelicans huddled together at the ocean’s edge a quarter mile or so back down the road. These incredible creatures are a staple of the Californian coast and seeing them take to the air is a joy.

So anyway, yes we got there in time for the Scotland match. Let’s not talk about it. Ever again.

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