California! - Blogabond

WOW. I got off the plane from dreary Seattle to be greeted with clear blue skies & 20oC heat. Immediately, before even getting the tube to downtown, I had a feeling I was going to like this place!
Having checked into my hostel (bit of a dive), I walked along Market Street (the Main St) to the Eastern Piers. From there I walked all the way up the North of Vancouver, as the sun was setting, & then caught the Tram back down to my Hostel. The Tram was a novel experience, although expensive, crowded & a little uncomfortable...I got to where I was going though!

That night I went exploring the local bars, which turned out to be the usual American experience. Why can't they take our brilliant example of bunging all the sodding bars together in one place? It provides a better atmosphere & you don't have to walk 5 blocks to get another beer! Still, that would make too much sense. I tried some lovely local ales, then met some San Fran locals in a Cocktail bar. I had planned an early one, but the company was good - so were the cocktails!

The next day I rose late (thanks to the 3am bedtime), & decided that I would fill my afternoon with a visit to "the Rock" - aka, "Alcatraz."

This place is as cool as I imagined it to be! You are given an audio tour headset, & then allowed to roam freely around the island & jail. The 45min audio tour could be paused at any moment, in order to take a piccy or merely take in your surroundings. I shaln't spoil the (potential) experience by going into too much detail, so I will give you my highlights...

A cell block & a typical cell. There are 3 main cell blocks on Alcatraz, & then the row of "holes" - which were pitch black & completely bare. Unruly prisoners were sent here to think about improving their behaviour!

At one corner of the cell blocks there were two viewing windows, which gave a great view of San Francisco. Many prisoners are known to have commented that the hardest time about doing time in America's hardest prison was that the city was within sight & sometimes sound of the cells! Torture. Alongside is an overview of the Alcatraz history. In 14 escape attempts, no one is known to have survived (3 men are unaccounted for in the most famous attempt - presumed dead from the hazardous swim). All in all I had a brilliant time & took far more pictures there than anyone else would probably be interested in! I would strongly recommend it.

The next day I hired a bike early, & then set off on a mammoth adventure. I cycled across the famous Golden Gate bridge, which was over a mile long in itself. I stopped along the way to take a picture of the emergency phone line, put in place as a last resort for anyone tempted to take the plunge towards the water below. I shouldn't find that funny, but I did (the positioning of the phone & the sign - not suicidal people!)

After I had crossed the bridge I cycled along the shoreline to Sausalito, which is a small costal village. The bay was quaint & the houses all around were lovely, especially those on the hills. I battled my way up what seemed to be a never ending hill, to get to the Muir Woods. The struggle was worth it for the view...

I then had the most exhilarating cycle, at top speed, down the winding roads to the town. Those bends really gave me some additional force - so much so that I was going faster than most of the cars! I then went around the bay further, to Tiburon & Belvedere. Both amazingly attractive little towns, sort of like the fishing villages you might get on the south coast of the UK - although much more attractive & with a LOT more sun! It was then time for me to get the ferry across to San Francisco city, after an exhausting 40 miles of biking. This was when I was treated to the opportunity of some easy, yet amazing, picture opportunities...

I may yet have a career in photography! ;-)

On my last day in San Fran, I walked from the East shore to the West...a LONG way. During my walk I went through various residential districts, past town hall, & briefly through Caestro (the famous Gay district). Incidentally, I would recommend a film out at the moment called "Milk" - it tells the whole story as to why this district is so famous, & how the gay rights movement began & panned out in San Fran.

Next on my tour was the Golden Gate Park, which is HUGE! It is over 3 miles long & about a mile wide. In it there are many flower gardens, baseball fields, football fields, tea rooms, many lakes, a polo stadium, dutch windmills, etc etc. It seemed to take forever to get across it to the beach on the Eastern shore! I did like the park, although it will take a lot to ween me off of my love for Central Park in NY City.

The beach was as stunning as I expected. Sandy & warm, with plenty of space. It was well worth the effort, & a much rewarded chill was enjoyed in the sand. I waited until the sun went down before heading home (via bus, my legs had gone!)

That night I went out for Sushi & drinks with the people I had met earlier in the week, which was a good laugh. There is plenty to do in San Francisco, & I think that the place is very attractive, I could have done a lot more sightseeing - although it's quality over quantity with my time restraints! If any of you get the chance to come to California, make sure that San Fran is on your list!

written by

johnnoble on January 17, 2009 from San Francisco, United States

from the travel blog: John's year off...

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An American came into the shop this am and said (before I read your opinion of San Francisco) that if he was to settle anywhere in the States again, San Francisco would be the ONLY city in which he's want to live! He's doing a blog of his trip round Europe! Mum xx

written by Jan Noble on January 18, 2009

Hay! What hostel did you stay in San Fran? I am in the process of booking my holiday there and I want to know what hostel's to avoid. Any suggestions? Alison

written by Alison on January 20, 2009

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