Day 12
We had breakfast at Knuckles, the restaurant next door to the hotel, where you can order off the menu or choose the buffet or order. No surprise what we ordered. It was very nice (thanks for the tip Ann).
We had a shock when the concierge told us that Alcatraz tours were sold out for the next 10 days. Sure enough, after checking around Fisherman’s Wharf with the major tour companies, we confirmed the worst. However, if I remember my economics theory correctly, when demand out strips supply, and the price is fixed, there has to be a black market out there somewhere. Now we just had to find someone so cunning, so unscrupulous, and so dodgy that they would have some tickets, undoubtedly for an inflated price. We had almost given up in despair, when I saw a Middle Eastern looking chap, at a small tour shop. He looked cunning. He looked unscrupulous, he looked dodgy - he looked like he would sell his own children. Sure enough, he made a mobile phone call, and said if we bought a one hour city tour, we could get tickets to Alcatraz. But if you do a deal with the devil, you have to pay the price, and he charged us $95. The normal ticket price to Alcatraz is $24.50. Now some would suspect that they buy the $24.50 tickets, probably stating to Alcatraz that he has booked a large tour, and then sell them individually to desperate people like us. But there was no way that we were going to miss out on seeing Alcatraz.
TRAVEL TIP: Buy your tickets to Alcatraz online at least 10 days in advance. If not find the most cunning, unscrupulous, and dodgy looking tour operator in Fisherman’s Wharf.
It was 14 degrees in San Francisco, so we decided to go on an open deck bus tour around San Francisco (we never claimed we were smart). We were either going to get a great view of the city, hypothermia, or both. We selected Open top sightseeing a hop on/hop off Bus Company at Fisherman’s wharf, and paid $32, which was quite reasonable. Our normal Modus Operandi in a new city is to seek out a hop on/hop off Bus Company, and then do one complete circuit, so we can get our bearings.
Soon we were off on trip through the highlights of San Francisco; through the financial district, past China Town, City Hall (pictured below), and to Alamo Square. Alamo Square is a large park on top of one of the steep hills that characterize the city, where the people gathered to watch the buildings burn after the last great earthquake. Opposite Alamo Square are the famous “Painted Ladies”, remember those houses featured in the TV show, Full House. (pictured below). Then we went through the beautiful Golden Gate Park, and the Presidio area.
Catching sight of the Golden Gate Bridge (pictured) for the first time is a profound experience – it is breathtaking. It is the third largest single span bridge in the world. Pictures don’t do it justice, you have to be there, and see it for yourself. On the left the vast pacific stretches as far as the eye can see, and to the right is the huge San Francisco Harbor, where Alcatraz sits opposite the distinctive city of San Francisco. The wind is absolutely howling up here on the bridge, which is also partly covered in fog. The fog was the reason San Francisco was not discovered for a long time, because, basically, the explorers couldn't see the place. I'm certainly glad I've seen the place. We’ll probably die from hypothermia, but it was certainly worth it.
TRAVEL TIP: Go and see the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s the highlight of my trip so far.
Catching the bus back to the start of the circuit, we instantly sought the warmth of our hotel room, which miraculously had tea and coffee making facilities. Our faces were red with wind burn, but we were alive....just!
Venturing back out again, we caught the bus to Union Square in the city, and managed after some difficulty to get on a crowded tram (pictured below).
TRAVEL TIP: Avoid the crowds at the tram terminals, and hop on the tram a couple of stops up the route, otherwise you face a long wait. A tram will cost you five dollars each way, but it is a must do thing in San Francisco. Bus tour routes don’t go up the top of Russian Hill, which features Lombard Street, the World’s most crooked street. Trust me you don’t want to attempt to walk up this monster (pictured below).
America is not renowned for their cusine, however I thought the seafood restaurants at Fisherman's Wharf might be an exception. Unfortunately, we were very disappointed with our meals, however the other American diners appeared happy with that quality. What's more disturbing is that the restaurant was reviewed as one of the best seafood restaurants in San Francisco, a city considered to be the capital of fine dining. Perhaps, they just don't know any better. Going overseas makes you appreciate how good Australian chefs are (Trent, would carve them up here), and how lucky we are to have good quality fresh food available.
Tomorrow we've off early on a long bus tour along the rugged coast on Highway 1 to Moneterey, and Carmel. (Oh please, I hope the bus is not open top)
