31 Aug 2022.
An early start today to drive from England's North West to Heathrow on the awful M6. As it was such an early start the drive was uneventful and we arrived at the Terminal 5 Car Park in good time. From here it was a quick bus ride to terminal 5, and as we had made such good time we had to wait for check in to open!
Once checked in, we cleared security, the que was long but fast moving and once airside settled at Madame Prunier for a delicious sea food platter.
We were on a BA Airbus 380 to San Francisco, it was a good flight that landed at 17.10. Taxies, even Ubers were quoting over $80.00 to get from the airport to San Francisco centre, so we took the BART public transport.
The hardest thing about the BART was loading the Clipper Cards. the machines would not accept any credit card. Luckily we has some US$ cash, so loaded the cards with this. Then it was a really easy journey into San Francisco.
The hotel was right next to the BART station, and opposite the Ferry Building, we had a snack and few drinks at the hotel bar then got off to bed.
1st September 2022.
We were up to get a Californian breakfast of eggs and avocado on sourdough bread at SLICE, it was great. then we got the Big Bus, Hop on Hop off bus. This took 2 1/2 hours to do the route, and the map did not show it crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, but we did, in the wind and fog, it was like being on a roller coaster, by the time we came back it was in wind and sun!
 |
| Golden Gate Bridge |
 |
| Golden Gate Bridge |
The bus tour gave us a good understanding of the areas of the city.
Off the bus we walked to Pier 33 for our ferry trip to Alcatraz. it took about 15 minutes to get to the Island.
Alcatraz, was just as I had imagined, but I had not expected the gale force wind, especially in the prison exercise yard. That area bears the full force of the wind.
We got the 16.00 ferry back to the city, then walked to the hotel. I had booked a meal at the famous Mister Jui's, but it was a disappointing experience! Firstly when we arrived the table wasn't ready, so we went to the bar upstairs, but after a good three quarters of an hour, it became obvious we had been forgotten, so we had to ask what was going on, and at that point were rushed to a table. Then rushed through the very confusing menu and a meal that consisted of very small portions, and as the wine started at £80.00 a bottle we didn't bother with that! So all in all a great disappointment and not a place I would recommend.
2nd September 2022
Waking up today to thick fog. Thick, Cold Fog. As we were cycling to day, it was another early start, so we got the Tram Car from the Ferry Building. I loved the Tram Cars, all saved from different USA Cities, ours was from Detroit.
As were were early, we called into the Boudin Bakery and had a Breakfast Muffin and a Waffle, both expensive ( the rubbish exchange rate!) but delicious.
Across the road from the Bakery was Bay City Bikes, this was who we were doing our bike ride to Sausalito with.
I had booked an E Bike, they also had theses fun yellow cars that are GPS guided, they looked great fun.
Once fitted with the bikes and assigned to our guide, Judy. We were off, we followed and easy coastal route and went over the bridge in the Fog, but cycled back in bright sun, the weather in San Francisco is fun! Once in Sausalito, the guide left you, but you got to keep the bikes for the day. You could choose to get the Ferry back to San Fransisco or cycle back. We peddled back the way we came, and as it was a steep hill out of Sausalito I was glad of my E Bike. It was late afternoon when we returned the bikes, we then joined a long que at The Powell and Hyde Cable Car Roundabout to wait to get on a car.
We rode the Cable Car to Union Square and back, it was great fun, watching the drivers work the Cables and breaks was fascinating and the streets of San Francisco were amazing.
We then ate at a very touristy Italian Restaurant - Cioppinos, and it was fantastic and absolute opposite to the overhyped, disappointing night before. We had had a fabulous last day in San Francisco, and we would definitely visit this city again.
Comments
Post a Comment