Date of trip: 2005, 2010

San Francisco is one of the most beautiful and fun cities in the United States. We are always happy to find an excuse to visit and there are always so many things to do. Plus, Will says he left his heart there…

Highlights:

-Riding on the trolleys in San Francisco is as much a of a necessity as it is fun. Will and I are walking people but one look at the mountains that serve as streets and we were ready to buy a 3-day public transportation card. It was a wise move and very enjoyable. Will insisted on hanging off the edge which made me a little nervous, but you should try it at least once because there’s nothing like it!

-The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of America’s best. There are always incredible special exhibits and the museum’s permanent collection is excellent. It includes several paintings by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.

-Alcatraz was by far the highlight of our trip. We bought our tickets online a few days before and I highly recommend doing that as all the tours seem to sell out. An audio tour is offered at an additional cost and you MUST get it as it is great and I can’t imagine walking through without it. A boat takes you over to the island and you then must walk a somewhat lengthy incline to the prison. Inside you pick up the audio tour and it takes you through the world that was Alcatraz. Alcatraz was a “super prison” which means all the inmates there were sent by other facilities for bad behavior. In fact, many prison wardens kept a picture of Alcatraz on their desks as a reminder to inmates where they would be sent if they didn’t behave. I’m sure you’ve heard of some the criminals who spent time there….Al Capone and Robert Stroud “the birdman of Alcatraz” are a couple. (Robert Stroud actually never had birds at Alcatraz and the fact that he had them at his previous prison contributed to his being sent to Alcatraz). Walking through the prison while listening to voices of former guards and inmates is pretty eerie. People say that Alcatraz is haunted and I can see why. I was constantly getting chills in that place. I think we can watch a lot of movies about criminals and prison life, but I doubt they even come close to the reality. Being inside the real thing sure makes you appreciate life on the outside.

-Fisherman’s Wharf is a great place to walk, shop and people watch. The water is lined with shops and treats and an area a group of wild sea lions decided to make theirs long ago. They lie, sometimes in the hundreds sunning themselves and barking. Next to the sea lions is an unimpressive aquarium.

-Ghirardelli Square, is the home of the original Ghirardelli chocolate store and their famous ice cream shop where their specialty is hot fudge sundaes.

-The Powell-Hyde Trolley stops right at the top of Lombard Street “the crookedest street in the world”. Now the nickname is not actually true, but the street is pretty crooked and it’s where you’ll find some of the nicest houses in the city including the Real World house. It is also lined with stairs so you can safely walk to the bottom.

-The best view of the city is from the top of the Coit Tower. Not surprisingly, the tower is located on a huge hill. You can take a bus to the top or you can walk the famous Filbert or Greenwich Steps. Many people take one set of steps up and the other down. I’ll warn you, it’s rough on the knees, but the gardens and art deco houses are worth the effort. Another advantage to walking…you get to see the parrots of Telegraph Hill. A flock of wild conure parrots call the hill their home and if you’re not sure where to find them, just listen. Interestingly enough, a movie was made about the parrots and it’s really good. Will and I saw it right when it came out.

-Chinatown here is the biggest one out of Asia. It’s also the cleanest I’ve ever seen. I recommend stopping by a bakery and picking up a sweet cocktail bun.

-The Presidio is a former army post which is now a national park. Although the park itself is very nice, the real reason to go is to visit The Walt Disney Family Museum located on the grounds. It’s an incredible, state of the art facility dedicated to Walt Disney and it chronicles his life and the history of the Disney Company. I am not the type to look at everything in a museum, but the exhibits here are so engaging and the story is so fascinating, I didn’t want to miss any of it.

-A visit to San Francisco would be incomplete without a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s a quick ride by bus or car to the park. It’s really a beautiful bridge. We walked to the halfway point…it’s longer than it looks! Looking out over the water we could see the city, Alcatraz Island, sailboats and a little seal swimming along!

Just one tip….be cautious. There are more homeless people in San Francisco than I’ve ever seen in one place before. Many seem to be strung out too, but as long as you are alert and keep an eye on your belongings you don’t have to worry too much. There are some areas that are apparently very bad that you should steer clear of. The staff of our hotel was nice enough to mark off the areas for us to stay out of on a map. I think it’s a good practice whenever you travel to ask at the front desk when you check in if there are any areas of the place you are visiting that are unsafe.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

San Francisco Links:
San Francisco Official Site
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Alcatraz
Fisherman’s Wharf
Ghirardelli Square
The Walt Disney Family Museum
Golden Gate Bridge

Date of trip: July 2005

Just 12 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is Muir Woods National Monument. Muir Woods is a 560 acre forest home to giant redwood trees, some over 1,000 years old and 240 feet tall. The roads to the park are steep and winding but it’s worth the climb. I suggest arriving early as parking is limited and fills up fast. To avoid hassles during peak times, you may want to park in Marin City and take the Muir Woods shuttle up to the park.

Start at the Visitor’s Center for information on the park’s history and for a map. There are over 6 miles of hiking trails which vary in length and difficulty. If you are short on time, there is a loop trail offering stunning views of the trees which can be completed in just 30 minutes. Aside from the redwoods, Muir Woods is home to many different species of animals and plants. You are sure to see a variety of beautiful birds and flowers and if you are in a quieter area, you might even see a deer. It is nearly impossible to take pictures which will do the park justice, but it is a thrill to sit and stand inside the trunks of the world’s tallest trees.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Muir Woods Links:
Muir Woods National Monument Official Site