Over 9000 miles to visit the Mouse and a mickey boat as well!! - A May PTR

[PrincessInOz]

Sounds like your finer details are all being sorted out. The 7D? Congratulations!

Where abouts are you staying in SF? You could get a limo but if you're near a BART station, you can always catch the BART to town??

 

[Mum from oz]

Not long to go now!! How exciting!!

I know, I'm pretty excited!

 

[Mum from oz]

Sounds like your finer details are all being sorted out. The 7D? Congratulations!

Where abouts are you staying in SF? You could get a limo but if you're near a BART station, you can always catch the BART to town??

I'm really getting there now, on the home stretch!

I love the 7D so far. I am still a very amateur photographer though. I have finally stopped shooting in auto. I also ended up getting some new little lenses to play with. I got a 50mm f1.8 ad the 60mm f2.8 macro. I think the next thing on my wishlist is an ultra wide lens.

I did think about catching the BART but I figured with a 4 year old and a 5 year old, kids car seats and at least 4 full suitcases plus carry ons it might not be that manageable. I placed a booking through pleasantlimo.com this morning for a SVU like an Escalade for $90 each way including gratuity.

 

[Mum from oz]

It's the final countdown!! With officially one week to go I am already in holiday mode. This time next week we will be at the airport checking in! Although my ticker is wrong I am not changing it now. It is one day behind as we are a day in front of the US and it is another day behind because I made the ticker before we had a flight change to a day earlier.

So since my last post I have done:

• Book airport transfer home from Sydney
• Made door magnets for the cruise
• Purchased Fish Extender gifts (just have to make them up/label them)
• Ordered and received sim card with T-Mobile and I now have my US mobile number
• Booked airport transfer to and from SFO with Pleasant Limo (SUV)
• Ordered cruise gift baskets for my family
• Booked BBB for DD on the cruise
• Booked BBB for DS (Knight package)
• Made a packing list

I still have to:

• Decide what we are doing in St Thomas
• Buy photo matting to get autographed on cruise
• Nut out a final itinerary for San Francisco
• Hire a car for the day in San Francisco
• Make a basic touring plan for WDW

 

[Mum from oz]

So for San Francisco so far I have:

Sunday 27th May
Arrive at hotel around lunchtime. Maybe take a walk down to Fishermans Wharf and have lunch and explore the area for the afternoon.
Dinner - ?

Monday 28th May
Breakfast - ?
Lunch - Early lunch somewhere at Fishermans Wharf near The Cannery
1:00pm - 2:30pm Fire Engine Tour
Afternoon - ?
Dinner - ?

Tuesday 29th May
Breakfast - ?
Lunch - ?
Dinner - ?
Activities - Maybe hire a car today and take a drive over the bridge to Muir Woods stop look around and take photos. Drive to an outlet centre for my shopping fix!

Wednesday 30th May
Breakfast - ? Somewhere close and somewhere easy and quick
Acatraz 9:10am early bird tour
Lunch - ?
Afternoon activity?
Dinner - ?

Thursday 31st May
Breakfast - ?
Packing
Activity for the morning?
Lunch - ?
Check out and head to the airport

So it's not that good and there are a lot of holes to fill. Any suggestions will be appreciated!

 

[hjd0411]

Hi!! Love the sound of your trip! Very similar to what my holiday started out to be - but like all good planners most things have changed!!
I also stay at Windsor Hills (I know - blasphemous!! ), and I love it! Give me my condo, splash pool and hire car and I'm happy!! Oh, and throw in WDW as well, of course!
And congratulations on getting your 7d! I tossed up whether to get the 7d or 60d - I finally went with the 60d as the 7d was a bit too heavy for me..!!! That is the only reason - I was still trying to decide almost to paying!!!
So, anyway, have a wonderful holiday and I will look forward to reading to TR and seeing your photos!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Which area are staying in San Francisco? Are you near Union Square or nearer Fisherman's Wharf?

You have a lot of activities booked that start near/around the Wharf.

I'd recommend the following:
27th: Head towards Union Square after you check in. Go to Macy's. I'm not sure if the Wolfgang Puck Express has closed or not but there is a food court at the basement of Macy's. The alternative is to eat at the Cheesecake Factory on one of the higher floors. Explore the downtown area and Chinatown. You can have dinner in Chinatown.

28th. Full day at Fisherman's Wharf. I understand that the Fire Engine Tour starts and returns to the Wharf. This will give you the option to check out the souvenir shops, Pier 39, head to Hyde Street Pier and hang around here all day. If you think you'll have time or have done the FW area, I would head towards Washington Square (Columbus Street, between Filbert and Union). Check out Little Italy and the church of St Peter and St Paul. If you were really energetic, there is the option of walking up to Coit Tower. Gives you the option for an Italian meal for dinner.

29th. If you are hiring a car, you'll probably be in Muir Woods and the Napa Valley Factory Outlets for the day. I think those outlets are the closest to Muir Woods.

30th. After returning from Alcatraz, depending on the time, you could choose to have lunch at the Wharf area again. Alternatively, I would jump on the F-line TRAM (its the one that looks like a Melbourne tram) and go to Market/3rd or Market/4th Street. Its a relatively easy walk to Yerba Buena Gardens from there. Your kids might enjoy running around the park. Or if you really wanted to go see the Painted Ladies, there should be a Muni bus you can catch from Market which will get you close.

31st. I would head to the Ferry Building on the Thursday. I think the Farmer's Market runs there on a Thursday as well. With the Farmer's Market and the small selection of shops in the FB, it might fill in the morning for you. I like the Slanted Door restaurant at the Ferry Building. But check it out on the web first to see if the menu is something that you would like. If so, I would make a booking.

 

[australiankaren]

 

[lovethattink]

Joining in late. Hope that's ok?

You have covered some tourist attractions in central FL that I haven't done yet and I live in central FL. We've never done an air boat ride and have never been to the space coast except to hop on a Disney cruise. The theme parks are a different story. We have annual passes to WDW, Universal/IOA, Busch Gardens, Sea World, and Legoland.

 

[Mum from oz]

Which area are staying in San Francisco? Are you near Union Square or nearer Fisherman's Wharf?

You have a lot of activities booked that start near/around the Wharf.

I'd recommend the following:
27th: Head towards Union Square after you check in. Go to Macy's. I'm not sure if the Wolfgang Puck Express has closed or not but there is a food court at the basement of Macy's. The alternative is to eat at the Cheesecake Factory on one of the higher floors. Explore the downtown area and Chinatown. You can have dinner in Chinatown.

28th. Full day at Fisherman's Wharf. I understand that the Fire Engine Tour starts and returns to the Wharf. This will give you the option to check out the souvenir shops, Pier 39, head to Hyde Street Pier and hang around here all day. If you think you'll have time or have done the FW area, I would head towards Washington Square (Columbus Street, between Filbert and Union). Check out Little Italy and the church of St Peter and St Paul. If you were really energetic, there is the option of walking up to Coit Tower. Gives you the option for an Italian meal for dinner.

29th. If you are hiring a car, you'll probably be in Muir Woods and the Napa Valley Factory Outlets for the day. I think those outlets are the closest to Muir Woods.

30th. After returning from Alcatraz, depending on the time, you could choose to have lunch at the Wharf area again. Alternatively, I would jump on the F-line TRAM (its the one that looks like a Melbourne tram) and go to Market/3rd or Market/4th Street. Its a relatively easy walk to Yerba Buena Gardens from there. Your kids might enjoy running around the park. Or if you really wanted to go see the Painted Ladies, there should be a Muni bus you can catch from Market which will get you close.

31st. I would head to the Ferry Building on the Thursday. I think the Farmer's Market runs there on a Thursday as well. With the Farmer's Market and the small selection of shops in the FB, it might fill in the morning for you. I like the Slanted Door restaurant at the Ferry Building. But check it out on the web first to see if the menu is something that you would like. If so, I would make a booking.

Thank you!

We're staying on Columbus Ave. Columbus Motor Inn.

I really like your idea for the 27th. Macys, Cheesecake Factory and Chinatown.

28th we will do your idea too. Tour, FW and head to Coit Tower. Little Italy for dinner.

29th Yep, Muir Woods early in the morning and Outlets. I'm not 100% sure which ones yet. I'm tossing up between the ones at Petaluma ( 50mins) it the Great Mall at Milpitas (1.5 hours)

30th I do really want to see the Painted Ladies some will head there after lunch.

31st Markets sound good.

I can always rely on your advice!

 

[Mum from oz]

 

[Mum from oz]

Joining in late. Hope that's ok?

You have covered some tourist attractions in central FL that I haven't done yet and I live in central FL. We've never done an air boat ride and have never been to the space coast except to hop on a Disney cruise. The theme parks are a different story. We have annual passes to WDW, Universal/IOA, Busch Gardens, Sea World, and Legoland.

It's never to late to join! Thank you for stopping by. Have to been to Gatorland? We were thinking the kids might like it after our cruise.

 

[lovethattink]

It's never to late to join! Thank you for stopping by. Have to been to Gatorland? We were thinking the kids might like it after our cruise.

I have not. But I have a friend who can see if from her house. She's been there, do you want me to ask her anything about it? If it's anything like the Aligator Farm in St. Augustine it is wonderful!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thank you!

We're staying on Columbus Ave. Columbus Motor Inn.

I really like your idea for the 27th. Macys, Cheesecake Factory and Chinatown.

28th we will do your idea too. Tour, FW and head to Coit Tower. Little Italy for dinner.

29th Yep, Muir Woods early in the morning and Outlets. I'm not 100% sure which ones yet. I'm tossing up between the ones at Petaluma ( 50mins) it the Great Mall at Milpitas (1.5 hours)

30th I do really want to see the Painted Ladies some will head there after lunch.

31st Markets sound good.

I can always rely on your advice!

Petaluma is in the same side of town as Muir Woods. You just need to cut across. I liked the outlets at Petaluma. There are more shops there than at the Napa ones. And if you head towards Petaluma, you might be tempted to think about the Jelly Belly Factory.

The Great Mall is where I normally shop....(and also in Gilroy). It is in the opposite direction and traffic down the 101 is not great on a work day. It might take you more than 1.5 hours to get from Muir Woods to the Great Mall.
I love the Great Mall; but that's a fair bit of driving from the north side of San Francisco to get down to the Great Mall.

 

[Mum from oz]

I have not. But I have a friend who can see if from her house. She's been there, do you want me to ask her anything about it? If it's anything like the Aligator Farm in St. Augustine it is wonderful!

No that's ok, but man I'm jealous of you being sooo close to all the fun!

 

[Mum from oz]

Petaluma is in the same side of town as Muir Woods. You just need to cut across. I liked the outlets at Petaluma. There are more shops there than at the Napa ones. And if you head towards Petaluma, you might be tempted to think about the Jelly Belly Factory.

The Great Mall is where I normally shop....(and also in Gilroy). It is in the opposite direction and traffic down the 101 is not great on a work day. It might take you more than 1.5 hours to get from Muir Woods to the Great Mall.
I love the Great Mall; but that's a fair bit of driving from the north side of San Francisco to get down to the Great Mall.

Hmmm, decisions, decisons...... I think we might still head to The Great Mall. I looked at the list of shops and there is more there that I like. Plus there is a cinema and Bounce A Rama so Steve can keep the kids amused while I shop!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hmmm, decisions, decisons...... I think we might still head to The Great Mall. I looked at the list of shops and there is more there that I like. Plus there is a cinema and Bounce A Rama so Steve can keep the kids amused while I shop!

If you do go to The Great Mall, there is a restaurant called The Coconut Grove. Its near where the cinema's are. They serve Malaysian/Singaporean cuisine. So, if you're in the mood for Asian, I love eating here.

 

[Mum from oz]

I'll keep my eye out PIO!

Well with 4 sleeps to go I am procrastinating about what needs to be done. Maybe I need to write another list.

Ok so I am going to book a car rental in SF, then do some reports for work that need doing. Then deal with my in tray.... Oh and I have to edit the photos I took at my sisters engagement party on Saturday night, she is hounding me for them....

 

[becpee]

I'll keep my eye out PIO!

Well with 4 sleeps to go I am procrastinating about what needs to be done. Maybe I need to write another list.

Ok so I am going to book a car rental in SF, then do some reports for work that need doing. Then deal with my in tray.... Oh and I have to edit the photos I took at my sisters engagement party on Saturday night, she is hounding me for them....

Getting very exciting!

 

[hjd0411]

Oooh - not long to go now! If I don't get back here, have a wonderful time. Safe travels and see you in cyber space on your return!!