If You're Going To San Francisco...

...be sure to take a zillion photos there... Yes, after Chicago it was California, here we come! And our first stop was the trendy, laid-back San Francisco. Johnny had already been once before but for Bec, first impressions couldn't be better.

The tourist focus is mainly centered around Fisherman's Wharf and the Bay, so we naturally found ourselves there on the first morning and were rewarded with some amazing iconic sights:

Alcatraz Island, perfectly complemented by a passing flock of pelicans (the island was originally named for these birds, alcatraces being the Spanish word for pelican):

The Golden Gate Bridge in all its International Orange glory:


Following a strange honking sound around to Pier 39, we discovered its resident sea-lion colony which makes its home here for several months each year. The noise was incredible and they were so entertaining to watch, fighting each other for position on the wooden docks and then basking sleepily in the sunshine.

Our ride in an open-top bus across the Golden Gate was exhilarating, and very blowy! By then the trademark fog had drifted in to hang moodily around the bridge's towers.













We enjoyed riding the famous San Fran cable cars up and down the hilly streets:

And seeing how the beautiful old Victorian houses contrast with the nearby city skyscrapers (this particular row is called the Seven Sisters, one of which featured in the TV show Full House):

But the highlight of our stay was our visit to Alcatraz Island, otherwise known as The Rock. It has a fascinating history, best known for being the site of the most famous high security prison in the world, with notorious prisoners including Al Capone and The Birdman. The audio tour was awesome, with anecdotes from actual prisoners and guards to really give you a feel for what it was like.

Bec contemplating prison life:

View of San Francisco skyline from Alcatraz: