Advertisement
Published: February 3rd 2010
Edit Blog Post
We arrived in San Francisco on Sunday early evening . We shared the driving still keeping to highway 1. The route was not quite as spectacular as the day before but nevertheless, a joy to see. Lucy was a star and not only manoeuvred her way around LA but drove us through San Francisco with Al navigating , to our hotel right on Fisherman’s wharf - the place to be. We didnt eat there as it just seemed to be stalls and we were late and it was smelly! But we ate on Pier 39 that night , it was rather touristy but the food was surprisingly good. We only had 3 nights and two days which on reflection was not enough.
We spent Monday trying to do all the main things which was impossible. In the end we tramed it up and down the hills , walked for miles along the edge of a park to the trendy , hippy area of Haight Ashbury which had some lovely old houses and bussed it to the golden gate Bridge. We travelled across it on a bus to Salauito where we had a late lunch on the bay and then
ferried it back . A long day! But not so long that we didn’t try for the night life and made it to one bar on the 26th floor which gave us splendid views of San Francisco by night. Though these did not respond very well to my camera shots but we responded well to shots of alcohol.! Everywhere we went , the music to be heard was good old Dean , Frank and Doris but that was OK--ish!
Needless to say the next morning dawned with aching heads!! Still Al and I were up and about and off to Alcatraz just a mile across the bay . It was great and really did give you a feel for what it must have been like. It was the most secure state prison in the country at the time and while there were attemped escapes and riots, they dont reackon any one made it across the bay but we will never know whether 3 escapees did or not. It was built not as a prison but as a fortification against attack, then used as a look out and protection during the civil war and after that as a defence when
the gold rush began Finally as a prison, its hey day was the 1920s and 30s during the gang wars , and its most famous prisoner Al capone was housed there. It was closed by President Kennedy in 1963
I lost Al as I wanted to do an audio guided tour and he didn’t so not sure how much he saw!! But there you go! The last thing on our list was to tramp up Telegraph Hill which was a struggle for Al but he made it and we were rewarded with the most Magnificent views of the city ,quite wonderful. Tonight we are planning an early meal as we need to be rested for our drive to Yosemite and two day stay. While it is not that far, some 270 miles, it is climbing up the Rockies , it will be cold , we will need snow chains and I will be nervous!!! Oh my - the next leg is upon us
San Francisco is a lovely city , the weather was kind to us , cool but dry with some warm sunshine. Like LA there are lots of rough sleepers and people asking for money which
can be intimidating, I dont think I would want to go out at night alone. But I did enjoy our visit , it a vibrant busy place with some beautiful buildings and views.We were pleased the earth did not shake for us, whether I left my heart there I am not sure!!
lots of love,
caro
xx
Advertisement
Tot: 0.053s; Tpl: 0.014s; cc: 11; qc: 25; dbt: 0.0255s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1mb