It's a California Adventure! (with added Las Vegas) Day 4

[Lizzybear]

Pre-trip
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

20th September 2008

Both of us were up at something daft like 3:30 and couldn't get back to sleep so we ended up watching some truly bizarre early morning TV.. I remember a home shopping segment involving Mr T and fried chicken, the man has truly sold out! We ended up getting out of bed at 6 and were ready and out by 8:30. We headed to Pat's Cafe for breakfast. I had the pancake special (2 pancakes, 2 pieces of bacon and scrambled eggs) and Steve had a vegetarian breakfast burrito. Bill was $26 inc. tip which was very reasonable and the food was great. We had quite a bit of time to kill before our prebooked tour so we decided to explore the rest of Fisherman's Wharf.

Don't let their cuteness fool you, they stink!!

Some would say tacky, I say awesome!

It was soon nearing 11am (our tour time) so we made our way to the meeting point. Our tour was with Mr Toad's Tours and we chose the 90 minute 'hop around the city' one. Our guide was called John and was a sixth generation San Franciscan, his middle name was even Francisco! He lives in Sausalito now but he grew up in Pacific Heights, before it became the exclusive neighbourhood it is today (the 'cheap' houses there are in the single figure millions!) The houses there are known as 'lottery tickets' as they've increased in value so much, his parents sold theirs before this happened.. No bitterness i'm sure!! The tour was really interesting. We felt like we got a really good mix of different neighbourhoods and sights in the city, many of which we wouldn't have known about ourselves or that weren't included on other tour (Mr Toads uses small vehicles which can navigate roads other tour vehicles can't) There are many many tour companies in San Francisco but I felt we made to right choice and I highly recommend them anyone. To name just a few places we saw: the Mrs Doubtfire house, the Presidio (Disney is building a museum there by the way!), OJ Simpson's old high school and one of Danielle Steel's mansions.

The Mrs Doubtfire house, the real address was used in the movie aswell

One of my favourite San Francisco photos

A week before we were there a car rolled down this hill...

...And into this house!!

I guess they were having problems!

 

[Lizzybear]

Like a life size Barbie Dream House!

Probably my favourite house in San Francisco, it's in Pacific Heights. Definitely beyond a lottery win!!

The Presidio. You can't buy houses there, only rent (for a hefty price of course!)

All the houses along this section of the waterfront had these big front windows that practically invite people to look inside!

When the tour was over we were quite hungry so we stopped by the Boudin Bakery for some tomato soup (Steve) and clam chowder (me) in bread bowls, yum! After lunch we got the bus to the Golden Gate Bridge with the intention of walking across. It was a nice walk, quite a bit further than it looks but the views were incredible. We had to keep stopping to 'drink' it all in as we knew we'd miss it so much when it was time to leave.

It's not that far..

Windswept!

Nearly there, sort of!

I had wanted to visit Sausalito but it was a further 3 miles and we couldn't see a footpath, plus it was a little late to be setting off onn that long a walk, so we decided to leave it and walked back across the bridge where we caught the bus to Union Square. Once there we visited the Westfield Center where I got some Bare Escentuals make-up for me and a lady I work with. The guy at the counter gave me a free eyeshadow and lipstick which was a nice surprise and much appreciated! I also bought a bag of Halloween themed Ghirardelli squares and a little cuddly Gizmo (from Gremlins) from Virgin. We got the bus back to our hotel and chilled a bit before mutually deciding not to have a meal out tonight as we just weren't in the mood or hungry enough. Steve went and got us takeout from North Beach Pizza: Aubergine pizza for him and cheese ravioli with marinara sauce for me. Total was $25 and it was a nice chilled out meal. I think we flaked pretty early that night, both shattered!!

 

[Goofyish]

Some great photos again! Love the sea lions

 

[natalielongstaff]

Ok I confess i thought the sea-lions were very cute !

 

[Pinky166]

I too thought they were cute - even thought I can imagine how bad they smell!

 

[SusanEllen]

You're providing an excellent tour of San Francisco. Thank you very much.

 

[Minniespal]

Fantastic photos, I so want to go back to San Francisco.

 

[irongirlof12]

those sealions are too cute to whiff !

tour sounds like fun.

 

[raph_b]

wow, you have some amazing pics there, I've always wanted to go to San Franciso, even more so now!!

 

[kieras nana]

we are booked on the mr toad tour,a week today i'm glad you enjoyed it.
how long did the walk,across the bridge take? if you walk across,can you get a bus back? not sure if kiera,will appreciate a walk,both ways,or is there a bus to sausilto,from the bridge?
really enjoying your report
tracy

 

[florida sun]

Brilliant report, I feel as though Im there with you

 

[Tammy Stringer]

Great report and photos.

Lucky you seeing the Golden Gate Bridge - we could only see half of it when we went as it was shrouded in fog.

Tammy

 

[Verity Chambers]

I'm tired just reading your report! Another wonderful day! Thanks for all the photos, I love the sea lion photos as well!!

 

[Strommie]

The tour sounds brilliant. I love your photos

 

[mark&sue]

absolutely amazing photos it does so feel we are there with you. so enjoying this. thanks for sharing


susan

 

[cap'njack.]

I love the views from the Golden Gate Bridge...amazing!!