San Francisco

Several members of our group had wanted to visit Alcatraz, so months ago we booked their places & on Wednesday morning we set off on foot for the short walk to Pier 33, where the Alcatraz boat leaves from. It's no good just hopefully turning up on the day to visit this fascinating rock, places are snapped up & you must book several weeks ahead. It's typically cold & misty in San Francisco at this time of year, & today was no exception as our group boarded the boat for the chilly crossing. The audio tour is a great way to learn all the interesting facts & stories of life for those who were incarcerated there.
Beryl & Bob were recouperating at the hotel, & we called in to see if they needed anything while we left the others on their Alcatraz tour, & went off to get some antiseptic cream for the angry looking gravel-rash on Bob's arm.
We had arranged to meet up with more of the others after lunch for a ride to the Golden Gate Bridge, before tackling Lombard Street, the top of which is the twistiest street in SF. First you have to climb up the long, straight, but extremely steep road, before you can get to the top & come down the steep, zig-zag street made famous by Steve McQueen in the film Bullet, & all the while the tourists were snapping away at the bikes going down, no doubt more than a little envious at the fun we were having!
A free evening meant those that chose to could have a ride on a cable car, perhaps have a delicious meal in Chinatown, visit the bustling Pier 39 to see the seals & the shops, or even spend some time at an Irish Bar, to enjoy the Guinness & the lively craic. There's something for everyone in the lovely city of San Francisco.