California Dreaming: Day 10 - The Streets of San Francisco

Rush hour traffic in San Francisco is about the same as it is in Dallas - too many cars in too little space with too little time to get there. We made a practice run this morning to Fisherman's Wharf to make sure we'll be on time tomorrow for our ferry to Alcatraz. So at 8am we were driving north with everyone else. Most of them seemed to be interested in the Financial District. We parked in the same lot we used yesterday since that is now familiar territory. In jeans and jackets and tennis shoes, we took off for Lombard Street, the steep and winding street that you've seen on TV. We had to walk at a 45 degree angle to keep from rolling backwards. It was an absolutely beautiful area and view from the top.

From there we walked over to Chinatown. We were specifically looking for the Fortune Cookie Factory and eventually found it in a back alley. Kathy paid $.50 to get a picture of the woman forming the cookies. It was very fascinating and the samples were delicious and fresh. We were amazed at the open air fish markets and veggie stands.

By the time we got back to Fisherman's Wharf, we had decided to take a Duck Boat tour. What an experience! Our tour director was funny and informative and he really enjoyed getting the tourists involved, especially the children. It was an odd feeling when we left the asphalt road and entered the water in the port area. The most fun was quacking like ducks and being obnoxious as we rolled down the road.

Other things we saw today included Ghirardelli Square (as in the chocolate, of which we wanted more than the one measly sample they gave us), Haight-Ashbury District (remember the '60s and hippies and Charles Manson?), Telegraph Hill, and a closer look from the outfield of AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. We found it interesting that much of the port area - any flat land at the base of the hills - was built on a landfill after the 1906 earthquake demolished so much of the city.

Now sit back and enjoy a few pictures from our day. More tomorrow!!!