Our travel agent (the world’s best aka Jennifer Forret;

Jennifer.forret.nz@flightcentre.co.nz) advised us to do just one thing each day so we weren’t rushed. Excellent advice. We got reception to confirm our Alcatraz tour (Thank goodness as the new person on the phone began by telling them all the wrong stuff) but he sorted that out. The boat was scheduled for 3.50pm so we had a much needed sleep in then off for a walk to Union Square. It’s not far to walk and it was a lovely sunny day – in fact we were hot by the time we got there. Union Square was all the fancy designer shops and also a very cool Apple store. We went into Macy’s looking for pjs for Mike but they have a separate Macy’s for men across the road. I almost got tempted with a top in Macy’s but no.

We found boxers and tee shirts on sale at Macy’s and had a coffee in Union Square before walking a larger block to suss out the shops. We found a Dyson shop with all sorts of dryers and vacuum cleaners and stuff. I never expected a vacuum cleaner shop to be cool that’s for sure. We had a coffee in Union Square. I was surprised to find they have flat whites on the menu. Mike said it was just like the kiwi version. Then it was back to the Omni to change into more summery attire. Next we headed down to the waterfront and walked along to find Pier 33 where the Alcatraz boat departs. We had plenty of time and I was starved (Mike had a Danish with his coffee earlier) so we headed around to Pier 39 on Fisherman’s Wharf for lunch/breakfast. We found a nice seafood place upstairs and had a seafood salad (me) and a Caesar salad (Mike) and enjoyed looking out at the hundred or so sea lions basking on these floating platforms just below. Evidently they’ve been there on and off for the last 50 or so years. The waiter said there is some suggestion they are safer in the marina than out with the sharks but who knows. They don’t get fed so must just enjoy the location. https://youtu.be/4P6nfK72XjA

The boat trip over to Alcatraz was short and calm. I hadn’t realised how close it was to San Francisco city. It’s probably only 2 or so kilometres from the ferry terminal. You’d think a reasonable swimmer could swim to shore no sweat but I guess it’s pretty cold and the security in the prison was tight. They have audio guides for everyone which are extremely well done. It was really interesting but very cold as there is no shelter from the wind. It looked pretty much like what you’d think a 1930s jailhouse would look like but the conditions were harsh for those that didn’t follow the rules and would have been hard going for most.

The shower facilities were clearly the forerunner of male locker rooms. No place for modesty at Alcatraz. There was a little seaside community there as many of the guards lived on the island in barracks with their families. The kids would take the ferry to the city each day for school. The prison itself is right on top of the island so the civilian community operated like a little village down below. It would have been a great place to live but subject to cold winds.

After the trip back we found where our bike trip begins on Saturday morning then headed up the hill towards the pyramid. This time when we passed an Italian restaurant with tables in the sun we grabbed them. The food was great. Seafood pasta for Mike and seafood pizza for me. Even better, when the sun went down behind the building opposite the waiter turned on the overhead heaters.

We like the architecture here. Many of the buildings are only 4 storeys high but very solid and quite stately. Many of the streets are lined with trees and it’s very pretty. The hills also add heaps of interest although I hadn’t appreciated quite how many hills there are in every direction. Most of the people look reasonably fit and trim also, which may say something about the exercise they get just walking from place to place. It’s also quite compact in the central city so walking is an option if you have enough time.

We are getting into line with tipping here. 15% is the minimum you get offered if paying with a credit card and 18% is the middle rate. We go for 18% and must admit that the service has been good. We had a couple of drinks then back up and over the hill to the Omni. We have an earlier start tomorrow as have to be down by Fisherman’s Wharf at 9.30am ready for our bike tour. So far we are getting plenty of exercise and only eating twice a day. Looking forward to tomorrow.

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