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| STREET SWING IN 'FRISCO |
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| SEA LION COMMUNITY AT PIER 39 |
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| CYCLING PALS |
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| AMERICA'S CUP CATAMARANS |
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| A HOME FROM HOME |
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| SAN FRANCISCO CABLE CAR |
I spent the evening seeking out the cheapest places to eat healthily (Subway again), exploring the locality and working out how best to spend my time here. It was quite chilly out - a big, big contrast to my previous evening in Las Vegas, but normal for San Francisco.
The Hostel had organised a cycle ride over the Golden Gate Bridge the following morning, returning by ferry in the afternoon, so I put my name down for that.
Next morning I was up in good time to enjoy the 'free' Hostel breakfast, prepare a picnic lunch, get some cash from the bank and be ready for the 10.00am cycling tour departure. Six of us, three lads and three lassies, turned up to participate. Our 'cycling leader' was Stevie, a charming young lady who worked at the Hostel. Once again I was the oldest by far, but I'm beginning to get used to this. In any case, we all got along fine.
After collecting our bikes we set off down to the waterfront and followed it round anticlockwise. Each pier we passed had a number, and we counted them up until we reached Pier 39, which is famous because of the large colony of Sea Lions who have taken up permanent residence there.
We continued on past Fisherman's Wharf, the Marina and the Presidio until we reached the Golden Gate Bridge. The fog, which initially obscured the top of the Bridge, had now lifted so I could get some good photographs at last.
In getting to this point we had passed quite a lot of activity concerning the America's Cup. Indeed, Race 3 of the Louis Vuitton Cup semi-finals was going on while we cycled. The contenders were the Swedish Artemis and the Italian Luna Rosa teams. From the Bridge we could clearly see the 72 ft. racing catamarans turning. The Italians secured the lead from the start and never lost it.
On the far side of the Bridge a long downward slope speedily took us to the pretty town of Sausalito, which reminded me a little of Dartmouth back in the UK. Unfortunately we could not stay there long as we needed to put the bikes on the ferry which would take us back to San Francisco. By way of compensation, though, the ferry did pass close to Alcatraz, the infamous prison island.
As soon as we had docked at the ferry terminal Stevie left us to our own devices. I spent another 3 hours cycling around the City before taking the bike back. I was surprised how bike-friendly a big city like San Francisco is and how considerate the drivers are.
After a shower back at the Hostel, I headed out again to do a little exploration on foot, walking over Nob Hill to the 'Crookedest Street', Lombard Street between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets, then on to Coit Tower and finally back to the Hostel through Chinatown, apparently the largest Chinatown outside of Asia.
Next morning I rose at 5.00am and quick marched down to Pier 33, the ticket office and departure point for Alcatraz tours. I had wanted to visit the infamous Alcatraz, but tickets were sold out right through to August 25th. However, I'd heard that they hold back a limited number of tickets to sell on the day, on a first come/first served basis, to folk determined or insomniac enough to get down to the ticket office well before it opens at 7.00am. I obviously wasn't the only one who'd heard this because there was already a queue of people waiting, some looking like they'd been there all night, and more people joined the queue after me. I was chuffed when they sold me a ticket for the 10.30am boat and I think most of us were successful.
The tour was largely self-guided, but excellent. Alcatraz Island, otherwise known as 'The Rock', is actually quite pretty with interesting gardens and abundant bird-life. The views of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito and Angel Island are magnificent. I am told the prison food was good too, so I imagine that offenders must have been queuing up to come here! Only problem was the accommodation which was dark, cramped, basic, cold and generally rather grim. No outdoor views either, unfortunately.
I could see Race 4 of the Louis Vuitton Cup semi-finals was being fought while I wandered about the island. By the time the ferry got us back to Pier 33 the victor had been declared - the Italian Luna Rosa team again.
I walked to Hyde Street Pier and, after queuing for about an hour, managed to get aboard the famous Hyde Street to Powell Street cable car which took us over Nob Hill. I have never before seen people fighting 'not' to get a seat and travel on the footplate instead. The driver was really funny and made us all laugh. From there I took a Street Car to Ocean Beach on the far west side of San Francisco, where I touched the waters of the Pacific Ocean. I walked back through Golden Gate Park, which had loud music emanating from behind high temporary fences. The Outlands Music and Art Festival was being staged in the Park from 9th-11th August, featuring Paul McCartney and Red Hot Chili Peppers. I think a 'warm up' act was playing while I was passing.
I wanted to get back to the Hostel, but because of all the festival goers the busses were full so they drove straight past the stops. I gave up waiting and just walked the 6 miles back in the end.
