Today I am flying back to Washington after a book tour in Colorado and California discussing Rage and the Republic. It was a great trip and I am thrilled by the interest in the book. While in San Francisco and Los Angeles, I took a few pictures that I wanted to share as part of our travel blog series.
In San Francisco, I was able to walk around the wharf area, which remains a delight with the sea lions and boats, including the “Lucky O’Brien” Liberty ship from World War II.
I was drawn to one boat where a German Shepherd was frantically trying to get on board. Then it all made sense…
Here are a few pictures from this beautiful city.
In Los Angeles, I first spoke at the University of Southern California and was delighted by the open and welcoming atmosphere. The event was sponsored by USC’s Center for the Political Future and the Heterodox Academy. These groups are working to restore a diversity of viewpoints on campus and the event reminded me of the environment in higher education when I became a professor over three decades ago. This effort is only possible due to donors like Ken and Jackie Broad, who are demanding greater balance in speakers and faculty at these schools.
I later spoke at the California Club, where I stayed the night. Both Justice Anthony Kennedy and I were speaking at the Club and were able to spend some time together. It is always a honor to speak with Justice Kennedy, who showed his signature humor and profound insights. Kennedy offered profound thoughts on many of the characters and events in my book. I was so captivated with the discussion that I almost forgot my own speech.
It was also a great pleasure to see former Gov. Pete Wilson, one of the greatest governors that this state ever produced. It is a chilling comparison to the current occupant of that office and figures like Eric Swalwell and Katie Porter who want to assume the office. There was a time when moderate, sensible leaders governed in this state. At 92, Wilson could still run circles around these characters.
The California Club itself is a treasure that is difficult to capture in a few pictures. It is full of original art from leading painters and gorgeous antiques. It is a throwback to an earlier age.
A private club established in 1888, the current building itself dates back to 1928. It was designed by famed architect Robert D. Farquhar, who was given the Distinguished Honor Award for the design. The building, designed in the Italian Renaissance Revival style, was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on July 6, 2010.
The loving care shown to the preservation of this historic place is evident around every corner. The staff is extraordinary and works to preserve the collection for future generations. It is truly an American gem.
I will be returning to California to discuss Rage and the Republic at the Reagan Presidential Library on March 10th at 7 pm in Simi Valley. There will be a virtual link, but tickets are available for anyone in the area.
my buddy makes 0ver $22164💸 a m0nth doing this and she c0nvinced me to try. Single M0m Reveals How She Earns 75k/Yr W0rking 10 Hrs/Week From H0me The p0ssibility with this is endless…………………………… https://goto.now/QiHYA
Jonathan (Leslie),
Had I known you were going to be in San Francisco we could have made arrangements for your Lunch or Dinner at:
The Presidio Yacht Club
600 Sommerville Rd.
Sausalito, CA 94965
presidioyachtclub.org/
presidioyachtclub.org/about
It is literally at the north foot of the Golden Gate Bridge at Fort Cronkhite in the Marin Headlands
If you are stuck Down Town then ‘The Palace’ is good for Lunch and Dinner. (and Sunday Brunch!)
sfpalace.com/dining/
You don’t need to drive all the way out to Napa’s French Laundry, the Left Bank is a good choice
and Il Fornaio is also close by. (Just over the GG Bridge)
The Left Bank Brasserie
507 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur, CA 94939
leftbank.com/
Il Fornaio Corte Madera (Larry Mindel – an old Toledo/Ottawa Hills Buddy)
223 Corte Madera Town Center
Corte Madera, CA 94925
ilfornaio.com/location/il-fornaio-corte-madera/
And since your there John Muir Woods National Monument and Mount Tamalpais State Park is a good place to visit.
https://www.nps.gov/muwo/planyourvisit/index.htm
You might want to take a week off and go easy.
FYI: SF Masonic Auditorium (For Your West Coast Book Tour)
Former VP Kamala Harris brought her “107 Days” book tour to the SF Masonic Auditorium on October 5, 2025, for a two-show, sold-out event. The, organized in partnership with Book Passage, featured discussions on her 2024 campaign and memoir. The venue is located at 1111 California St, San Francisco, CA
you might add that the California Club is very exclusive and not open or available to the public. Must be nice to be able go to these places. Like your work; but please explain when staying in places for only the privileged.
Privilege is in the eyes of the beholder.
I’m confused.
We all know, and Turley often points out, that California, and San Francisco and Los Angeles in particular, are hellscapes of violence, drug dealers, and homelessness, where the rule of law has completely broken down, and where mobs of illegal immigrant gangs run wild in the street, and the failed government of Gavin Newsom does absolutely nothing to bring them under control.
Where are the photos of this hellscape ????
One of Turley’s constant themes is of the complete failure of Gavin Newsom to bring the crime ridden state under control.
This would have been a perfect opportunity for Turley to provide concrete evidence for the assertions of the MAGA mob.
And yet Turley provides absolutely delightful pictures of what he describes as “The Vibrant Beauty of California”
So which is it ???
A hellscape of violence and failed government or a land of “vibrant beauty”
One can understand your position, however it is an enormous state with gems that transcend the negative.
Of course the problem with your stupid statement is that Turley was not in those remote parts of the “enormous state with gems that transcend the negative.”
He was in San Francisco and Los Angeles, the very centers of the supposed California hellscape.
ALL of the absolutely delightful photos are from those cities that are apparently hellscapes of crime and failed government.
Why don’t you try again, you idiotic MAGA moron.
You’ve never been here, its quite obvious.
I live in California you idiot, and have done so for almost 50 years.
Turley’s delightful photos of San Francisco and Los Angeles reflect the actual reality that I know, as opposed to your idiotic, delusional MAGA fantasies.
Garbage like you ruined a once great state.
Turley does not think it is ruined.
He provided delightful pictures of San Francisco and Los Angeles as evidence of what he says is the “Vibrant Beauty of California”
You should direct your insults at Turley instead of me.
The sea lions looked homeless.
Really? Moron? Ever thought about looking in a mirror? People on this site need to be respectful of others, and if an opinion gets you riled up, take a deep breath and say it doesn’t matter. Doing that will let you lead a normal and long life.
What was Turley supposed to do – show us pictures of the homeless camps along Los Angeles freeways? homeless.lacounty.gov › ua-homeless-encampment. We have all seen those. It is not necessary to balance a discussion of the remaining pleasant places in CA – which preceded the control of these areas by Democrats – with evidence of the decline they have created.
Its both but the beauty of CA is there if you look.
The truth is California is beautiful with pleasant weather most of the year. For that reason everyone wants to be here (which stresses the housing supply). What’s more, the map is totally misleading. Most of the state consists of mountains, deserts, forests and ranch land. Water is always an issue! Think of California as a larger, western version of New Jersey and you get a better idea of why it’s so expensive.
Take a couple of deep breaths. This was refreshing
You tell us Anony-mouse….you know everything.
Im currently on chapter six. This is my first audio book and Im greatly enjoying the book.
You influenced me to get the audible version. But how is the narrator? I want a nice, soothing voice I can fall asleep to.
. Lovely photos and honors on the company you keep.
Yes, Governor Wilson to Katie Porter and Swalwell causes 🤯.
☺
Hate to point this out Professor, but please consult your tax advisor with respect to how much you owe to California for your few days there. All of the professional athletes that play there know this well, but the rapacious California tax system is not based on time spent in the State, or on income earned in the state, but on ability to pay. Your turn now. Even if you just fly over en route from Houston to Honolulu, they will get you. Airspace counts. Soon, just thinking about the State will cause an assessment.
Turley Writes:
It was also a great pleasure to see former Gov. Pete Wilson, one of the greatest governors that this state ever produced.
*****
From Wikipedia:
As governor, Wilson was closely associated with California Proposition 187, a 1994 ballot initiative to establish a state-run citizenship screening system and prohibit illegal immigrants from using health care, public education, and other social services in the U.S. State of California.
……………………………….
It was Prop 187 along with abortion that signaled the beginning of the end for Republicans in California. Today Hispanics are the majority in California and no politician advocating abortion bans can possibly win statewide office.
Well now, did the dog get on board?
So why was the dog trying to get into the boat? LOL!
Fish
HEY DIP SHIP, DID YOU NOT THE NAME OF THE BOAT………MEOW !
Not trying to be snarky but to offer humor: the only gentleman’s club I’ve been to was strip.
Were it not for the interludes of responsible leadership provided by Pete Wilson and George Deukmejian between the corrupt, incompetent, self-serving terms of the Browns (Edmund Sr. and Moonbeam), Gray Davis, and Gavin Newsom, California would’ve already collapsed. Two capable grown-ups, one well-meaning rookie (Arnold), and a ruinous lot happy to ride out the boom — that’s the last six decades of California’s gubernatorial road to bust.
California was America the Beautiful.
Then it was inundated and overrun by unassimilable, parasitic, foreign invaders.
Now it is a third-world, s—hole, one-party, communist state with pockets of conspicuous wealth.
Imagine your state, your nation being conquered and subsumed without a shot being fired.
Thanks for the update and those beautiful pictures. It’s a nice reminder that there is precious beauty to enjoy throughout this land. The nazi sickos even tarnish the very landscape of the soul of America, living in lies, distortions and utter filth. You know what? You are such a humble man and you put up with such juvenile abuse on your website, that I forget what a powerful and distinguished person and position you hold in our country. There isn’t a major network that wouldn’t love to have you drop by for a visit. Both the white House and Congress welcome you with open arms. Even those who strongly disagree with you, like you very much and respect you. You are always so civil and gentlemanly, it is a privilege to have your leading voice echoing across our nation and to enjoy your website to learn from you.
PS I really enjoyed the bar waitress explaining away her pathetic non-answer as a congresswoman.
last time in SF I was stepping over passed out homeless people…they might of been dead who knows…with my 2 little kids.
NEVER GOING BACK. and I loved SF of old!
Our nazis shame you for electing a president who is directly responsible for those folks. It is all his fault, in case you didn’t know. Just ask that amazing cocktail waitress shinning with bright red lipstick, the one with a deep understanding of all of our ills. (She doesn’t know what Taiwan is let alone where it is. Not because she’s a waitress, but rather because she thinks she qualifies as a member of our Congress.)
keep on keeping on!
What about adding Santa Fe to your stops?
@Ed
I don’t live there anymore, but that’s my hometown, I was born there when St. Vincent’s was still downtown. My family has been there for over 100 years.
And to the Professor: glad you enjoyed your trip. Thank you so much for all you and your team do.