Seeing San Francisco

Alcatraz

 

Today we were all showered and out the door by 7:15 AM for an early start on sightseeing.  We took a bus down to the Fisherman's Wharf area and it dropped us right at the door of an IHOP where we had a big breakfast.  Then it was off to Pier 33 to take the Ferry to Alcatraz for a 9:10 tour.  We bought these tickets months ago because they sell out quickly.

It was raining in the morning and cloudy the rest of the day which is why the pictures are gray.

Seabirds Nest on the Island

 On the way up to the prison we saw lots of wildlife because sea birds use the island to nest.  The island has lots of plant life brought there by prison guards over the years since many actually lived on the island

Most of the birds nest on the steep cliffs, but others nest in ornamental shrubs. In the late 1800s, the military reshaped Alcatraz to make a fortress. Rock rubble was pushed outward into the bay around Alcatraz's perimeter creating tide pools. Soil brought onto the island to deaden the force of potential incoming enemy shells was also used to plant flowering shrubs that have become excellent nesting habitat for these birds.

Signs of the Indian Occupation in 1969 are still around

Inside the prison there is a great audio tour giving the details of prison life from both the guard and prisoner perspective and telling the stories about prison breakout attempts.  The guy giving us the audio guide says "Is this your first time in prison?"

I

Broadway

Dummy head used in 1953 escape

Look Closely to find a cell key hanging from the gun gallery

Typical cell

 

 On the way back from the island, you get great views of the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges.  The water was a little choppy so the video we took makes it look like we are riding out an earthquake. We visited Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf next and had lunch at Boudin Bakery & Cafe where they miake Sourdough bread.

Tini with a Hermit Crab Sculpture

Boudin Bakery & Cafe

Fisherman's Wharf

Bread

Then it was off for an afternoon of city sightseeing on a bus.  It was good to sit down so we only got off once to take a walk up Lombard Street which has a steep 51 degree incline. The building saved by fire that you see here survived the 1906 Earthquake because they gave a case of whiskey to everyone who helped put out the fire,  Meanwhile the church next door burned.

Hyde Park

City Hall

Chinatown Gate

Building Saved From Fire

Coit Tower

Transamerica Building

We survived climbing this hill

Crooked Street

Beautiful Flowers on Lombard Street

 



We took a short ride on a cable car so we could say we did it.  You get really packed in on these things so fortunately we had a short ride.  At the end of the ride, we got to get this great picture of the four of us hanging onto the cable car.




 

\

 Our last stop for the day was to Ghiardelli Square where we got chocolate shakes and chocolate.  The chocolate is really good.  We walked the rest of the way home stopping at a grocery store so we could cook dinner at home and rest our tired feet.

Ghiardelli Square

On Wednesday we will see the rest of San Francisco and take a trip to Sausalito.