Bridge Monday.

Monday we awoke to a cloudy, chilly Monday, but we were in search of the bus to the Golden Gate Bridge, a long walk later we found a bus that would take us there. We were dropped in the parking lot and started walking over the bridge- a chilly walk, but so beautiful. We walked to the half way mark and the back. In the parking lot we discovered there is a free shuttle that wold take us through the Presidio. We caught this and off at the Palace of the Fine Arts- we explored this pretty amazing structure.

"The Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina District of San Francisco, California, is a monumental structure originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in order to exhibit works of art presented there. One of only a few surviving structures from the Exposition, it is the only one still situated on its original site. It was rebuilt in 1965, and renovation of the lagoon, walkways, and a seismic retrofit were completed in early 2009."


We then figured we were close to Barney's Burgers- they are supposed to be the bomb. A little bit of a walk and we were there- Chestnut Street area- or Cowhollow. A great looking area to do some shopping- we will have to come back here one day. Then we found the bus back to the hotel and a much needed rest- we were so exhausted today- must have been all that walking.

After a rest, we -sans Elliot- headed back to Market Street via the F street car, as Frank wanted to go back and buy a hoodie had seen at Superdry. So we walked to the bus stop, only to wait for a while, as there was a power outage on the wharf (our hotel too was out for about 3 hours!)

We got up to Union square did some more shopping and then caught the bus over to the Mission District. We were on the hunt for the incredible street art in this area- we happened into some cool boutique stores along the way too. We found Clarion Alley and wow! Some pretty amazing art.

After a good browse, we happened upon El Techo de Lolinda- this place had come highly recommended so we headed up to the rooftop restaurant for dinner. This was the best meal we had while here- the CHICHARRONES de CARNE - roasted and fried chunks of pork-shoulder with house made tortillas, lime, salsa-to die for!!  Then we caught the bus back to the hotel- it was late and we had to pack, for tomorrow am we leave.  

Sad to go, but another great visit to this city.

The Rock.

Sunday was the day we crossed the Bay.  We had bought our Alcatraz tickets a few weeks before after a hotel breakfast, we walked straight down North Beach to pier 39.  An expensive coffee at the Alcatraz coffee bar and then we were herded into line for our 10am sailing.  The ride over was very short- 12 minutes in fact, windy and quite spectacular.  It has been 20 years almost to the month since I was last on this little island- not much has changed, except maybe my perspective and observation skills.  We got off the boat and headed up to get our audio tour headphones- you really cannot do the tour justice without the audio tour.  Our group quickly split up- Dani, Nathan and Elliot were going through without need for pause,  Frank and Delaney were taking it all in, while Heidi and I were stopping lots- many photo ops and just really taking it all in.  I really want to read more about some of the famous prisoners that were housed here- machine gun Kelly, Al Capone, the bird man- so many characters.  Also I had no idea that the wardens and all their families lived on the island, caught the boat over to the mainland for school, but had a functioning village if you will on the island.  Pretty amazing learning about the escape attempts and so much more.  The grades has some amazing views for photo taking.  We need up in the gift shop- maybe 30 minutes after the first of our group- so they were ready to leave when we go there.  There was an ex warden signing books, so got one of those- should provide some good tales; then we were off down the hill to catch the 12:50 boat back.  12 minutes later back on the mainland we were hungry- food seemed to evade us, but we found ourselves back at Boudin's and having a chilli bowl and sandwiches.
Elliot was done- needing a nap.  We were in need of ice cream!  So we ambled along the wharf, taking in the sites and ended up at Ghirardelli Square.  Of course we had to enter the store to get our free square- caramel.  Frank was waiting in the Sundae line, and called us over pretty quick as the lone moved fast.  Orders in and a table to find was another challenge.  A waiter, was nice enough to help us relocate a single lady at a large table and voila we were seated and waiting for the treats- thank goodness Frank and I shared a salted caramel sundae- to die for.  Then we exhausted and in need of some R & R- back to the hotel and a rest before our trek up to Don Pistos.  Our 7pm reservation paid off as we go there and were seated right away.  The food was so good!! Tacos in soft corn shells, tortilla soup, and enchiladas to die for.  After that great meal we needed to walk it off- so we headed up to Lombard street for a walk.  A gorgeous evening - we made our way over and then down the crooked street, a the bottom we decided to catch the trolley back- so back up the crooked street and we waited a while at the top for the street car.  Then back to the hotel and kids all in , we head up the street for a drink- another amazing day.

Little Black Dress

Saturday we woke to a little cloudiness.  But we hopped on the trolley and off to Union Square for a little retail therapy.  Heidi had her heart set on a shirt that she had seen at Saks so that was our first stop.  We tracked the top down to the top floor- where she also found a gorgeous little black dress that she just had to get.  A stop at the shoe department and we were done!  The men and kids had had a coffee and were up for a little more shopping -so off to the mall on market street- Westfield.  A great mall with so many stores- Frank and I hit the Lucky store and the Superdry.  Of course it was lunch time by then and the top of the mall had some great looking eateries.  We found a table at the Tap 415- good beer and the burgers were pretty amazing (highly recommend eating here), the service sucked.  Looked like the job was a real chore for our server.  Elliot was not a 100% and decided to head back for an afternoon of rest- we sent him back with all the bags and carried on our way- making our way - via Ross and the Apple store- to Chinatown.  Love wandering up Grant an checking out all the sites- so may bright colours and neat architecture to see.  We made a few stops and then found the lucky fortune cookie company- saw how those got made- in a tiny little, hot store too mind you!  Then we were pooped- found the bus we needed and headed back for a rest before dinner.  We had found a highly recommended Mexican place for dinner so after a little rest we started up to North Beach and the Don Pistos.  We got there to find a 2 hour wait- as inviting as that sounded- we decided to book a table for Sunday night and then headed up the road to North Beach Pizza.  They sat us after a short wait and the pizza was so good- but way too much food was ordered. Another great end to a wonderful day in this city.

I left my heart in San Francisco

Victoria Day long weekend seemed like a good time for another visit to my favourite city.
Friday we left early, border bound.  We crossed over into the States in 5 minutes and we were at Bellingham Airport in 20 minutes.  Parked, checked in, all on time and on schedule.
Our flight departed at 9:05 am- Allegiant, always cheap and always good.

Arriving in San Jose at 11, we collected our baggage and walked out straight up to the Bart.  The little  stint from the airport to the next station is free.  Then when you get to the Coliseum station you get off and then buy your tickets.  These are not cheap but $10 per person gets us to Market Street in downtown San Fran.  Frank put the money in the machine and bought the tickets.  We got on the train and 20 minutes later arrived at the Embarcadero Station.  As we were trying to exit we realized we had only bought 2 $10 tickets and not 4 as needed- we had to buy 2 more so we could exit.  Then it was above ground to a lovely sunny day in San Fran.  Just outside the station we found the F trolley, got on and on were on our way to Fisherman's Wharf.  We go to our street, got off and were at the Holiday Inn Express in no time (seems like a long journey- but it was pretty effortless!)  Lucky us we were able to check in and freshen up and then we were off. First stop Boudin's for the bowls of chilli. After a hearty lunch we decide to walk all the way down to the Ferry Building- quite a shlep.  But once there we were greated with wonderful stores and food finds.  Ice cream at Humphry Slocome of course.  After a little wander here we popped outside- Delaney still complaining about a soar ankle, had us hop onto a bike taxi for our next destination - the stairs up to Coit Tower.
Love this hike up as the gardens are so beautiful- just stunning views and the parrots flying overhead. At the top we were hit by he gale force winds- but stopped long enough to enjoy the views.  The back down the other side and back to the hotel.  Elliot was not feeling well but this point and so we left him at the hotel after we had a short rest and off for dinner.  We were headed for the Stinking Rose, but Heidi had heard of a place called Rose Pistola that sounded good.  We happened upon the Rose Pistola before the Stinking Rose- we should have gone with our original plan as the Pistola was the real stinker!  After a full day we were all ready for bed.  Okay maybe not- Frank, Heidi and I headed out for a quick drink at the Irish pub up the street.