Two blocks from the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace, several hundred people gathered along a police line, straining to catch a glimpse of anyone famous.

Evelyn Lifset, 67, visited Nixon's casket on Tuesday, then went home, to San Diego, 70 miles south, picked up her son-in-law and grandson, and returned for yesterday's funeral.

"Later on he'll be able to say he was here and experienced a bit of history," said Dennis Pressfield, 45, referring to his son, 7-year-old Morgan.

"We don't care about the motorcade. It's about us. It's about the people here," he said. "It's a celebration of sorts to give a man back his dignity."