Although I was officially attending a conference, unofficially I was having the time of my life! I feel that I must clarify that the conference was extremely enjoyable and helpful, but as soon as my sessions were over I hit the ground running! Reed was able to do some exploring on his own while I was working! This post has lots and lots of pictures, because we made lots and lots of memories. We purchased the Hop-On, Hop-Off passes and the Visitor's Passport that allowed us to use all public transportation. Both proved to be invaluable. San Francisco is a truly beautiful city! (Every photo is from our phones.)
Hills and Houses-This city is filled with both! These hills aren't for sissies! We walked at least 5 miles a day! You see views of the bay from every angle! The Painted Lady houses were gorgeous!! Very unique!
This was our first time to see the Pacific! It was beautiful, but I think I prefer our warm Gulf of Mexico. At San Francisco, the ocean stays in the 50's all year long! If the pictures seem blurry, it's just the constant fog!
I had said that I should do a post on just the Golden Gate Bridge, because we saw it about 1000 times in a 1000 different ways!! It's beautiful! In addition to sailing under it, riding by it, and crossing it 4 times, we walked out on it, but didn't go across it! It was absolutely freezing that day with 25 mile per hour winds. Throw that in with my fear of heights, and Reed decided it was too big of risk to take. Let me translate that-He was afraid I'd get out there and refuse to move, and that was a very real possibility!
Alcatraz was quite interesting. I am so thankful that Suellen told me to buy our tickets way in advance. Island tours are sold out for the next 6 weeks. If you know you're visiting, try and book this tour. It's well worth it. I must add that the day we visited, San Francisco actually had a heat wave. It was 89 degrees and very humid. It only lasted a day though.
Pier 39-Very touristry and crowded, but I enjoyed it very much. Beautiful views of the bay and the sea lions! This is also where we departed from for the Bay Cruise that took us under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz.
Fisherman's Wharf-Even more touristry!! Beautiful ships, good food, great street performers and extremely crowded!
Muir Woods-This was Reed's favorite place to visit! The pictures do not do the actual size justice. It's something you just have to see to believe. We accidentally took the "high" path on the way back, and I was pretty sure I was going to die!!! Reed keep saying, "Look at that!", and I just kept looking at his shoes until we got back down lower! After the tour of the redwoods, we had lunch in Sausalito. It was such a beautiful coastal town.
Sausalito
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This and That-Ghiradelli Square has the best salted caramel hot chocolate and a great restaurant with incredible views. We got to watch crazy swimmers as we ate. Our waitress said they swim 365 days a year in that frigid water.
Beautiful City!
Bay Bridge
Wind mill in Golden Gate Park, City Hall, antique ship, Sausalito, Coit Tower, and the Palace of Fine Arts ( I think)
Reed also visited the aquarium and quite a few other places that I didn't get to see. I was really proud of him exploring on his own!
The Ferry Building, Bay Bridge, Persidio, and Union Square were other things we enjoyed.
Traveling in the city was quite easy. I have to say that the only thing I didn't enjoy were the famed cable cars. I guess I'm glad we rode them, but I wouldn't want to do it again.
We loved the street cars!
We took the Downtown Tour, the Golden Gate Bridge and Park Tour, the Beach Tour, and the Night Tour. In addition, we took tours to Muir Woods, a Bay Cruise, and an Alcatraz Tour. Loved them all!!
I left my jacket in the car in Birmingham, and it was freezing on some of our tours!
We made lots and lots of memories, but there is no place like home. The wonderful San Francisco Airport deserves a post of its own! I can't wait to share my experience there next! They almost kept me!!
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