The 4th of July weekend was our last weekend in California. We had spent the weekend house sitting and taking care of two huskies and a GIANT Labrador retriever. They were very good dogs to watch and we really enjoyed staying there. On July 2nd we made our journey to downtown San Francisco. We drove to Pleasanton and then took the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transport). It was a nice train ride, and even nicer over the fact that we didn't have to deal with traffic and could just enjoy the ride. Some areas I have to admit were a little nerving just because we are going to unknown territory where I don't always feel comfortable. I was very out of my elimate in downtown San Fran. Definitely a different experience, but it was a lot of fun!
When we got off the BART in downtown we walked up the stairs and lo and behold, their was downtown! The BART has a tunnel that goes under the bay and then under the downtown area. It was a little nerve racking going under the bay just knowing that you are under water right now, our ears were sure popping. Once getting into the downtown area we walked around for a little bit to figure out what direction we needed to head in order to get to the piers. Starbucks was also not in short supply. It was on every corner just like Seattle. Once figuring out where we were we then got on a cable car to take us to the piers. The first cable car that came was PACKED full, so we decided to wait for the next cable car. The next one was full, however at least their was room to stand. Once we got closer to the piers that soon changed, and it was just as packed as the one that we had passed up. Everyone was packed tightly together, and it was a get to know your neighbor experience. However, once we got past Pier 39 we were able to sit down, at least for a couple of stops until we got off.
We then got off the cable car at Pier 43, the Fisherman's Wharf where we were to get on our cruise around the bay. We had tried to get tickets to tour Alcatraz, however with 4th of July weekend tickets were sold out for two weeks. We then got tickets for a cruise that would go past Alcatraz, under the Golden Gate Bridge and then past the other side of Alcatraz.
View of Alcatraz from Pier 43
We had a lot of fun on our cruise around the bay. It was also nice because they had a recorded tour that we listened to while cruising around. We were able to learn quite a bit about San Francisco that we didn't know. It also pointed out things to see and the background behind it. One that I really liked, was when looking at some really steep roads it said that some roads are so steep that their are stairs for the sidewalks. I thought that was pretty neat! I can't imagine driving on that road though. 
Cruising towards Alcatraz, you can also see the Bay Bridge and San Francisco
Alcatraz
Cruising past Alcatraz. We were kind of grateful that the tickets for the Alcatraz tour were all sold out. It was creepy enough just cruising past it. It was interesting to learn that the cells were so small that inmates were not able to stretch out, and a lot of them didn't look out the window because they would look out and see the lights of San Fran. Only a couple of inmates escaped, however they were never found. I think that they drowned because the water is always in the 50's and I can't remember how many miles it was to land. Now each year swimmers get together to compete in a swim to Alcatraz.
View from Alcatraz looking at San Fran and the Bay Bridge. We also learned on the cruise that a part of the Bay Bridge collapsed during an earthquake at rush hour time. Luckily not as many people were involved that could have been. The day of the earthquake was the world series game between Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants. So everyone left work early to go to the game or watch it on TV so not very many people were on the road.
The Bay Bridge opened 6 months before the Golden Gate Bridge.
After the cruise we then walked over to Pier 39.
It was so busy at Pier 39 and a lot of little shops. We walked around for a bit and seen some sea lions enjoying the sun. At the end of the pier we had a great view of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay in general. It was a great view! Here we are on the side of the pier looking at the bay bridge.
After walking around the pier we decided to hop back on the cable cars to start heading back to Stockton. Heading back we took the cable car to the end of the loop that it did where we had to hop on the cable car in the front of the line to start heading back to the downtown area to get on the BART. Here is a view inside the cable car. This is a view of a more comfortable ride, just imagine the isle being packed with people, and that will be what we experienced earlier.
Look at all the cables! In the downtown area looking towards the bay where we will get on the BART.
We had a great time going to downtown San Francisco. Our favorite part was going on the cruise around the bay, it so worth it and a lot of fun. The whole time during the cruise their were crew members walking around taking people's pictures for them. We highly recommend doing a cruise around the bay! It was also interesting to walk through downtown, the buildings were enormous and the BART ride was fun, especially not being able to deal with traffic, parking in downtown and tolls.
Here we had just gone under the Golden Gate Bridge and then are turning around to go under the bridge again. It was really cool to go on this cruise and have a different perspective. We also seen the nets where the painters are painting right now.
Looking back at the Golden Gate Bridge, which is a mile long suspension bridge.
No comments:
Post a Comment