Today we spent visiting San Francisco itself! We drove to the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) train station and rode that into the city. While riding the train we went through the tubes that go under San Francisco Bay! We exited the train station through the mall that is connected to it and made our way to the cable car stop.
Here's a pic of the mall's grand staircase:
The Pyramid building that is very reminiscent of the Flatiron building in New York City:
We stood in line waiting for the cable car for at least 45 minutes, but it was worth it!
The cable car stop where we were waiting was actually the end of the line. The operators had to push the car onto a rotating platform and turn it around so it could go back up the track.
Pushing the car around:
The cable car on the rotating platform:
The pigeons were a somewhat amusing diversion while we waited...
"Our" car:
Pics from the cable car:
Our destination was Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 specifically. (Pier 39 is a restaurant and shopping district)
We watched bakers at Boudin's Bakery shape turtles and alligator loaves out of their famous sourdough.
They offered traditional loaves of bread along with turtles, alligators, koalas, teddy bears, crabs, and more!
See the delicious looking chocolate raisin bread down on the left? Yes, we bought some and we're so eating it for breakfast tomorrow!
Baby turtle loaves!
"Our" turtle loaf, sadly he's no longer a whole turtle...
A street mime:
Tourists could rent these "Go Cars" and drive them around the city. Michaela personally thought they looked like death traps.
The bay with Alcatraz in the distance:
Our route was the "Bay Cruise Adventure Route"
Pier 39!
We discovered many things that fit this sign today!
Beautiful fruit stand at Pier 39
Coffee makes Em happy in the morning. Today she actually changed things up and got warm cider! (Don't worry she'd already had coffee earlier)
Alcatraz from the pier:
Michaela was so absorbed with Alcatraz that she didn't realize the Golden Gate Bridge was right there!
Pier 39 is famous for its hundreds of sea lions that sun themselves on the docks.
After walking around the pier for awhile it was time for our boat trip. The boat was pretty big and we decided to stand on the top deck bow for the trip.
Apparently it was fun!
Alcatraz:
As you can tell it was pretty windy (and cold) but the view from the top was worth it!
From far away, Alcatraz almost looks more like a castle than a prison!
After the boat ride we walked through a few shops before going to lunch. Look Dad! A cow!
We decided on Rainforest Cafe for lunch, which was a fun choice. We had Fish and Chips (so English food), in the "rainforest", in San Francisco!
After lunch we confirmed our insanity in the photo booth...
Then we went shopping for some gifts. This is the only photo we can reveal, the rest are classified to prevent spilling the beans of what we got!
Our last stop was Ghirardelli Square!
Em got a Sea Salt Caramel Banana Shake:
Cheers!
On the cable car ride back we decided to ride it like true San Franciscans, on the running board! Don't worry Mom we held on tight!
The BART ride back:
- Michaela and Emily
I was scrolling through, obviously enjoying seeing all your pictures, but not finding anything to squeal about.....until.....I saw Ghirardelli Square. O_O I squeaked when I saw it. Chocolate is good but Ghirardelli chocolate is REALLY good and the fact that you went to Ghirardelli Square is really kinda awesome. :D
ReplyDeleteOh, and I thought it was cool that you went to Rainforest Cafe for lunch. :) We have one of those in the mall near us! I've been inside before, but I've never eaten there. It's really cool inside, isn't it? :D
Sea lions?? Aww! That's so neat!! By the way, I love Michaela's expression by the cow. ;) and Em, your shirt is so cute!! You both are adorable. Just so y'know... ;)
I'm suddenly realizing that Cali must be chilly out. O_O That seems weird because you always hear of it called "sunny California" but I guess even sunny Cali is allowed to get cold if she wants to. ;)
I love this!!!! This was my favorite part of visiting!! And I'm drooling over Ghiardelli!!!!
ReplyDelete