The owners of the Oakland restaurant Everett and Jones organized the bus trip to the nation's Capitol. No one has tickets to official inauguration events, but the people here say that does not matter, they just want to be there.
"I'm going to hang out, I'm going to watch the people I'm going to enjoy the atmosphere, I'm going to buy more souvenirs, can I pick up a rock in DC? I'm going to pick up a rock in DC," trip organizer Helen Bellamy said.
The San Francisco Boys and Girls Choruses are also heading to Washington, but they will be in the thick of it, on the Capitol steps.
The youngsters will take part in the swearing-in ceremony.
They practiced one last time at San Francisco City Hall before their Friday flight.
"I have to admit I am nervous, I mean, being up on that stage in front of the entire world possibly, but I think we can do it," Girls Chorus member Amelia DeSnoo said.
As for the Everett and Jones group, they leave at midnight. Many are looking forward to the camaraderie they expect to share on their cross country road trip.
