The City by the Bay (May 16)

May 16th-Tourist Day- So this was the day to do the tourist thing in the "Golden Gate City" We started early in the morining and headed into the city, we came in via freeway and went past Monster Park, and PacBell, I mean AT&T Park, I could make a rude comment about the promotional banners surrounding the latter park but I'll pass at this time. :-) From there we parked the fit and ventured out into the city, our modes of transportation...you guessed it Cable Car, walking and (yes there is a difference) Streetcar. We hopped on our first cable car and made our way toward "the Rock." The trip of course was hilly and a little long but you can't help but feel a part of history as you climb the hills and coast the valleys of San Fran. Once off the cable car we started hiking it up the Pier past the famous "Fisherman's Wharf," (complete with a short, short visit to the Hard Rock and a pin a long tradition started by my dad) and onto the ferry boat to Alcatraz.

On Alcatraz we visited both the island with its gardens, officer housing and amazing views of the city but also its notorious cell house. The cell house audio tour is one not to miss, and it certainly gives you a little perspective. From Alcatraz we hopped on a streetcar down to the Ferry Building for a little lunch we tried the local Mexican cantina Mijita warning their carne asada is rather hot! Having re-energized we began our trek to Chinatown a couple of street and cable cars later, we arrived. I've never been to China but I would assume that this was pretty close to what it would be like. Once in Chinatown we found the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory which was a little bit different than we expected but a "cultural" experience none the less. From there we tried to hop on a cable car but they were pretty full so we walked to the cable car museum for a bit of info on this amazing engineering feat. We learned alot and about what it takes to make them run and how they came about. From there we walked back to the fit and then the "driving tour" began.

We started out through "the tenderloin" (glad Ian and Gabi knew about it) to see city hall, from there we got a quick peak at the "painted ladies" then went to a majestic view of the city atop the twin peaks. Yeah it was kinda windy but the views were worth it. From there down through Golden Gate Park and the Presidio to the Golden Gate Bridge. Now I defer to Ian on the engineering and architectural aspects and the argument between the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate but I think the touristy aspect might trump the rest on the Golden Gate...plus you can walk it. Some of the views are simply amazing and they get even better when you cross the bridge. From the San Francisco side of the bay we crossed over to the Marin county side for some great "postcard" pictures and the city of Sausalito for dinner. From there it was time for the ride back to Sunnyvale to rest up for one more day in sunny California.