San Francisco, California

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Eight days in San Francisco, a cool city in every possible way. Its a great laid back place with some great little quirky touches, such a massive hills and bendy roads. Its also very cold, San Francisco bay creates a cool breeze which becomes even colder at night.

We bunked down at the famous Green Tortoise Hostel, a laid back place with an emphasis on late nights and beer consumption. This is great for joining in the festivities but not so good for listening to bongo drums, clog dancers and what could only have been a door slamming competition at 3:30 am when you quite fancy a bit of kip! However, we must be fair its probably the best hostel or at least had the best atmosphere of any of the ones we have stayed. We probably met more people here than we have so far on the rest of the trip
(Canadians, Welsh, Americans, Swiss and loads of English people even one from Preston). They also offer free internet, free meals, live music on Sunday and free bar crawls to entertain you. We were staying in the colorful part of the neighborhood of North Beach, also known as the red light. Yep, lots of neon and shops that you could not see into, still it didn't feel too dodgy mainly due to the large number of police that were usually on the street. The police that also arrested our roommate for having an open alcohol container on the street, kept in the custody for 12 hours. We did not expect to have ring the county jail during our stay here. We also met up with Urs the Swiss man whom we keep bumping in to, much festivities were undertaken which sadly resulted in next day sickness.

We kept our selves fairly busy with visits to pier 39, which is very touristy but you get to check out a sea lion colony that just chill round the pier. We walked part of the way along the golden gate bridge which is staggering to look at and it kinda makes you wanna jump off (there are telephones for helplines on the bridge to deter would be jumpers, but no fence?). A trip to Alcatraz was extremely interesting, Alcatraz where nobody ever escaped? except of course the five people over the years that got out and were never seen again! (you work that one out). We walked over Russian Hill (the massive one from the films) and checked out the really bendy road. Got carried away on the tacky fridgmagnets, worry balls and postcards in chinatown. We also spent lots of time just walking around the various districts and parks. In addition, we met up with one of claire's old work friends (Barbara) and her family whom are holidaying here and had a nice meal in a proper restaurant (thanks again).

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Photos

Cable Car
One of the many steep hills in San Francisco, you can see the famous cable car approaching.

The Crookedest Street
A very bendy road on a hill. Pretty interesting but honestly what's the point?

The Golden Gate Bridge
Completed in 1937, its a whopper. We didn't make it all the way accross.

The Other One
Nobody cares about this bridge, (poor thing) coz it ain't the Golden Gate, it's still not bad though. I think its called the bay bridge.

The Rock
We don't need to explain this do we?

The Bay / Golden Gate
The distant golden gate bridge in san francisco bay, picture taken from fort mason

Eskimo
Eskimo in San Francisco Bay

John and Urs
This is our Swedish friend who we keep running into.

A Neon Wilderness
Wow, what a colorfull neighbourhood we were staying in!! (note US spelling of colour, we are practically local now)

Gary, Barbara and Vicky
Claire's work friend and family at swanky San Francisco hotel.

Its a Sign
We are no PR experts but is this not a dubious claim to fame! Again an indications of our colorfull neighbourhood.

Comments

[stuart]

alcatraz
see you got out of jail

[stu]

great to see you out west

[dad]

wonderful
San Francisco looks wonderful, just like in all those films, like Bullit. I can imagine going up and down those hills on a motorbike! Glad you're eating well and getting plenty of sleep!