Welcome to the rock.

 No trip to San Francisco would be complete without a visit to Alcatraz Island. Before catching the ferry, we drove across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. I'd seen countless pictures of it over the years, but nothing compares to seeing those towering International Orange spans rising above the bay in person. Even with the fog rolling in and out, the bridge was every bit as impressive as I'd imagined.

Next stop is the rock, that's right Alcatraz Island.  I'm reviewing the model at the ferry terminal before departure. A prepared fox is a happy fox. 

After boarding the ferry, I watched the city skyline slowly drift farther away as the island grew larger in front of us. It wasn't hard to imagine what it must have felt like for the prisoners who made this same journey decades ago. The views were spectacular, but for them, they represented everything they were leaving behind.

Stepping onto the island, I was surprised by how beautiful it was. G It was a strange contrast—a place known for its harsh history surrounded by incredible views of San Francisco Bay.

Gardens filled with colorful flowers softened the stark concrete buildings, and seabirds circled overhead.

The seabirds had their chicks recently and they were all out and about on the island.  These little chicks will one day grow probably grow up to be western gulls often seen on Alcatraz. 

Time to explore inside. 

Inside the prison, the atmosphere changed completely. Walking through the cell blocks, I saw just how small the cells were. Standing inside one made it easy to picture what daily life must have been like. The walls echoed with stories of infamous inmates, daring escape attempts, and the routines that governed life on "The Rock."

As the ferry carried us back toward the city, I kept looking over my shoulder at the island. Alcatraz is much more than an old prison. It's a place filled with history, mystery, and unforgettable views—one that left me with plenty to think about long after we returned to shore.

 

California, here I come!

"One day if I go to heaven... I'll look around and say 'It ain't bad. But it ain't San Francisco.'" — Herb Caen


Hello readers, welcome back to my travelogue/philosophical journey.  Last time I checked in with my blog audience I fell asleep in a comfy chair, had a dream to go to California, and well, here I am.

As you may or may not recall my journey to find myself started with an idea to see the great lodges of the Northwest.  I decided to expand my search to the great hotels.  Here's a pretty fancy place in San Francisco. I didn't stay here because it's a tad expensive but it's a cool place to check out. 

My hotel was pretty cool too.  It was built after the 1906 earthquake and fire and it's in great shape for being over 100 years old.  I am waiting patiently for the bellhop  to bring up my luggage. 

Huh, no mention of the stuffies making the 8th floor great.  I better have a chat with the manager. 

Boxed water?  Huh, only in California.  This coffee cup is the perfect size for me. 

Time to explore.  This plaque commemorates San Francisco's sister cities.  I got to tour the old church in the background too.  Not a bad place, they said "everyone's welcome" and as a fox in an urban city I appreciate that. 

No trip to San Francisco is complete without a walk down Chinatown.  Should I buy one of those crispy ducks hanging in the window of certain stores?

No duck but I did get Dim Sum.  It was such a nice day I decided toto walk down to the pier.

I look good against the background of San Francisco don't I?

I think this picture has the potential to be on the front of the blog.  Notice the big smile on my face.

On the way back to the hotel I headed through Ghiradelli Square.  

This place is awesome!

Next stop: Yosemite!!!!!!!

I started my journey at the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite.  It was a beautiful area that wasn't too crowded.

Of course there is a big dam making the reservoir and it's somewhat controversial.  It makes for a great lake and wonderful views. 

Let's do some hiking:   Where should I go?  

I didn't go to any of those places but I found a nice trail around the lake. 

Goodness, this fox is tired.  I need to find some lodging.  I hear Curry Village has lots of tent cabins.  It ain't the Ritz but it will do.

Final days in San Francisco

After a good nights sleep I woke up refreshed to tackle San Francisco.  The biking was fun but today I am focusing on touring the city.

It seems the cheapest way to get around the city is on public transportation (ok walking is probably the cheapest but taking the bus is much quicker).

Our first stop today was for breakfast at Pier 39.  It is a pier (go figure) with lots of shops and lots of restaurants.  We have been here before but we had some time to kill before our tour started so it was a good time to explore.  They have some great views of the city and the famous prison from Pier 39.  

Alcatraz Island.

Looks like Coit Tower in the background.

After breakfast it was off to the Ferry Building.  For some reason there aren't any pictures of the building with me in front of it.  Anyway, the Ferry Building has a big farmers market and lots of good food to sample along the way.

Speaking of food, it's time for lunch.  Off to Chinatown for some Dim Sum.  I tried to get my roommates to stop and get me this duck for lunch but they declined my suggestion. 

The Dim Sum restaurant was more like a cafe but the staff was beary nice and patient with all of my roommates questions about this and that.  Chinatown, and San Francisco for that matter, are beary busy cities.  I consider myself lucky to get a picture of the paper lanterns hanging across the neighborhood.  I also visited a Buddhist Temple but no photos were allowed.   Trust me, it was beary cool. 

Last time we came to San Francisco we wanted to go to the Golden Gate Bakery in Chinatown because it has great desserts.  Last time we tried to go there (in August) it was closed for vacation, well guess what?  It was closed for vacation again!  

Someday it will be open when we visit. 

Sad to say, it's our final day in San Francisco.  We have a late flight so that means we have a full day to explore. Let's go!

We started off with a visit to the Mission Delores.  You can take a self guided tour of the old building, it's from the 1790s which is beary old history on the west coast of the US.  

Inside of the old mission building.

 

A quiet courtyard between the old mission and the basilica.

View of the basilica from the old cemetery.  Beary peaceful.

After the peacefulness of the mission we decided to take a walking tour of the Castro district.  It was an interesting contrast to the mission.  Again I don't know why there are no pictures.  Excuse me while I "discuss" this with my roommates.  

Now that the unpleasantness is over back to our regular scheduled blog.  Next stop is Fisherman's Wharf for a fresh fish sandwich.  They had many touristy shops that we didn't really explore but this bear looks like a cool dude. 

We started walking toward these old ships in the harbor.  Apparently, it's a national park.  How cool is that?  Whoever named this ship is a genius.  After a quick google search it seems that there are lots of vessels named Sea Fox.

As you can see the weather improved today.  The bay is alive with boats.

Interestingly enough we happened to be near a certain chocolate factory.  Luckily, there was some time to explore.  I think we should definitely go into the cocoa building. 

 Oh my, they give out free Ghirardelli chocolate samples.  This place is awesome. 

They have so many different types of candy here. I don't even know where to start and they have a chocolate shop that looks amazing.  I could spend hours here.

San Francisco was so much fun, now back on a bus to our hotel to start our travels back home. 

San Francisco day 2

My roommates decided to take Ryan's advice and rent a bike and travel over the Golden Gate Bridge.  It seemed like a logical idea after all of the food last night at the Tiki Bar.  I am ready for my adventure but might see that I don't have a helmet.  Another demerit for my roommates on their mid-year evaluation.

Along the route we came across some cool looking boats.  My roommates mentioned that we would be taking a ferry back from Sausolito on the other end of the bay.  I wonder if it's going to be fast and sleek like this ferry or

older and more rustic like this boat?

Along the route you could turn around and look at the city.  Even though it was a little cloudy you could still see a good view of the skyline. 

Before we get too far along the route I better see if anyone needs a coffee break.  There was a place that overlooked the harbor which had coffee and donuts.  This donut is the Droopy Special it has maple and bacon which I guess would make a certain dog happy.  

Along the way we stopped at Fort Point which is right under the Golden Gate Bridge.  It was an old fort that protected the harbor from invaders.  The whole fort was open and one could explore it fully in an afternoon. 

Right inside the fort.

They built the bridge right over the fort many years ago. 

On the top of the fort looking outward.

Once I crossed the bridge it's all downhill from there. Lunch in Sausolito then a little time to explore before we head back on the ferry.

As you can see I got a prime seat on the ferry.  It's right next to the snack bar and some big windows. 

 The captain earned an A+ on docking.  Little did they know I was watching from my seat making sure we weren't going to hit the dock or any unsuspecting tourists.

Definitely an action packed day.  Perhaps my roommates want to celebrate the nice day with a big cup of hot chocolate, I hear this Ghiradelli place sells some good hot chocolate.