Lombard Street to Alcatraz

I had seen a street car like you always see in the movies set in San Francisco the night before on the way home from the ballpark so decided that would be a good way to start the day. I guess I was not the only one with this plan because there was a huge line when I arrived at the first stop of this streetcar line. I did not really know where the streetcar went to but figured as a tourist in San Francisco it was my duty to get on one of these so walked a ways up the hill and caught the streetcar at the next stop so I did not have to stand in the line. The car was really packed and I decided to just get out at the top of the hill and duty of a tourist would be fulfilled. Here is a picture of the streetcar I had been on and I am not sure what its name was but I think it was called desire.

Turns out I should have stayed on the streetcar and went to the top of Lombard street but after getting off of the streetcar I walked down the hill and through the edge of China town. Not really knowing where I was but just walking in the direction of the Golden gate bridge I saw Lombard street so proceeded to walk up and take a few pictures of the curvy street. It is a bit of a hike to get up to where the curvy bit is and it was when I reached the top of the curvy bit I noticed a streetcar going by on the same line I had been on.

There was a great view of the bay and I think my first partial view of the golden gate bridge. I had been told that the golden gate bridge was often hard to see and it was the case today. It has something to do with the different water temperatures of the water from the ocean meeting the water for the bay at the narrow bit where the bridge was built that cause the clouds that often cover the bridge. I think this is the clearest picture I got of the bridge during this day.

I spent most of the afternoon just walking some of the different piers and parks walking in the direction of the golden gate bridge. It was a bit cold and clouded but still a enjoyable day. I walked as far as what I think is the museum of fine arts and then caught a bus back to the area of town where I was staying. This is a picture of the museum.

When the bus turned away from the direction I was headed I hopped off and started walking in the direction of my hotel. Walking down the street I noticed a place to eat and maybe because of the bright painted wall I recalled it from some program I had seen on TV about food. I can’t recall when where or what show I had seen the place on but decided to stop and give it a try. It was a pretty good meal and also would call it a good American meal of turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing. The price of a beer was not bad either so I enjoyed a couple watching some baseball on the TV. This is a picture of the place but chopped off the T in Tommys.

I walked around fisherman’s wharf and pier 39 to start my final day in San Francisco. I then took the boat out to Alcatraz. I enjoyed visiting Alcatraz but since it was a clear day one of the best parts was just the views of San Francisco and of the golden gate and bay bridges.

Alcatraz was interesting and I really enjoyed listing to a talk given by one of the park rangers. I was glad I was just a tourist at Alcatraz. I don’t think I would like visiting a real prison.

I enjoyed seeing San Francisco and can now say that I have been there. I was thinking it is sort of strange my first time visiting some of the major US cities was only after moving to Europe. First Boston then Chicago and now San Francisco.