Things were looking a bit grim this morning with overcast skies and a healthy fog, which is apparently quite normal here in the warmer months. However, by late morning we had yet another beautiful day.
We decided the easiest way to get out and see as much as we could was to get tickets on one of the many hop on hop off buses that continually ply the tourist routes. Our motel sold tickets for the imaginatively named Big Bus, and they had a stop nearby, so we chose them. The deal was also reasonable.
So at just after 9am, we saw the bus at our stop and just managed to get there to catch it. It was a trolley style bus which basically took everyone to there main starting point, where you could either get on an open topped double decker, or stay on the trolley bus and go straight to Sausalito (a separate tour not covered by the double decker, so we stayed on and did Sausalito first.
Sausalito trolley bus
There was a brief stop at the Northern end of the Golden Gate Bridge to take some photos, and then it was on to Sausalito
At this stage the weather is not looking promising (no rain expected though)
We are Sausalito is where we are told the seriously wealthy people live, and the population is only about 7000. Most houses have a view up the Bay towards San Francisco. It is a very nice place, particularly if you are a boating person.
There are a few marinas
An exclusive Yacht Club
Lots of shops
Some nice houses
And Restaurants
But the most impressive thing of all, was they made real coffee !!!!!
This place makes the best coffee we have had so far since we have been here
Enough of Sausalito. Our next stop is the South end of The Golden Gate Bridge, and we plan to walk back over the bridge to take in the view, before catching the next bus from the North side back to the city. By now it is a completely different day, bright and sunny, and getting hot.
We think the view from the South side is better anyway, but what difference an hour, or so, makes
The walk across the bridge is about 3 km, and we were quite warm by the time we got to the other side. We also saw the arrival of a Holland America Line Cruise ship as we were there. It had just passed under the bridge when we arrived
Cruise ship heading towards the dock, Alcatraz Island just ahead of it
Only the walkway on the San Francisco side is open
It was then back on the bus to get back to town. We decided to go straight to Union Square to get something to eat for lunch and then wander around the area, and hop back on a bus when we had enough.
Lunch was at Burger Bar in Macys with a great view of Union Square.
Union Square
With full stomachs we headed off in the direction of Chinatown, on foot. It was only a few blocks to the entrance of what is quite a sizeable Chinatown area (the largest in USA).
Once inside the gate (which was apparently donated by Taiwan), we were confronted with the usual Chinatown shops selling products that some-one must buy, check out the rare find below
Lots of restaurants selling various styles of Chinese Food, and some other exotic cuisines from far away, and of course loads of souvenirs. As you got deeper into Chinatown, you see more emporiums selling clothing, luggage, kitchenware etc, that the locals are more likely to buy.
A typical scene
No Sushi Trains here, the serves all float around a most in little bamboo boats
We may head back there tomorrow to buy a new carry on bag (prices are way below the major shopping centres), and try some of the food.
Our walk continues, and continues ........., and before we know it , we are back on the waterfront, on The Embarcadero down the Oakland Bay Bridge end. We haven't been on this part of the waterfront yet, so wind our way back towards Fishermans Wharf
Oakland Bay Bridge
Not far along the waterfront we found the new cruise terminal for cruise ships, which was commissioned quite recently, and originally built for the Americas Cup Challenge.
Alongside is the ship we saw coming into the Bay as we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge
You can also sail the Bay on the last Americas Cup monohull challenger
The Coast Guard was just returning at the end of the day, note the machine gun on the bow
Coit Tower
Soon are are back at Pier 39 and Fishermans Wharf. The Big Bus stop is nearby, so we decide to go and see if we can catch a bus back to our nearest stop from the motel. It is now 5pm.
A double decker bus is leaving soon, so we clamber aboard and sit up on the open upper deck. Once we are underway, we found there was a very good tour guide providing a commentary and decided to stay on board for the full tour, which ends up back at Fishermans wharf but takes 2.5 hours. It turned out to be a good decision, although it was 7.30pm by the time we got back.
We first passed through North Beach, just inland from Fishermans wharf, it is a strong Italian Community as all of the Fisherman were originally Italians. Below is one of there most popular restaurants.
Painting Murals on buildings seems to be a local pastime
Further on our trip we pass City Hall
Hippy Homeland - The Haight District
Further along, we enter Golden Gate Park, which is a huge area that was apparently very difficult to develop into a showpiece, as it was mainly sand dunes and getting exotic plants and grass to grow there was challenging. The person that took the job on worked there till he died in his mid 90's
On our way through the park we discovered not all tour bus drivers are up to scratch !
We crossed the Golden Gate again, in both directions, and headed back through the city to our base. It is blowing pretty hard and some people have retreated from the upper deck of the base for the protection of the lower deck.
Along the way our guide pointed out the blue building (below) with stainless steel stack and informed us it is a vent to remove built up methane from the ground. Apparently there are many of these around San Francisco, and earthquakes increase the chance of explosions if the methane is allowed to build up.
It is now getting dark, and at 7.30pm we are back at Fishermans Wharf. We wander off in the direction of our motel, looking for somewhere quick for dinner, other than the usual crab, chowder and seafood joints along the waterfront. Some of them make Macdonalds look attractive.
Anyway, soon we are almost home, still hungry and running out of options. We stumble upon the Cafe Lombard, just up the street from the motel. It appears to serve Italian Food but has a Chinese chef (cook ?), and everything is done in a wok. There is a big group of Germans there, so we take a risk (there not being too many other options).
Speed of service does not appear to be a key attribute of the cafe, as a meals appear to be prepared in sequence of ordering and cannot be rushed. There also seems to be a need for the waitress and chef to have regular conferences (out of sight of the guests) out the back. This occasionally results in the waitress having to take off out of the restaurant to procure something.
In the end, about 45 minutes later, we are presented with our chicken parmigiana with stir fried Chinese vegetables with an Italian twist, not a classic serving combination, but very tasty.
It has been a very long day and we are keen to get home, have a shower and get some sleep.
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