Thursday May 14, 2015

We had a nice lie-in and after breakfast we left to take the transit to downtown. San Francisco has several forms of public transit ranging from buses, light rail to old trolley cars (cable cars).

We were hoping to go to Alcatraz, but couldn’t get tickets. The earliest available tickets were for Tuesday, or we could get up at the crack of dawn to get the few daily tickets available.

What I didn\’t know about Alcatraz was it started its life as prison for confederate sympathizers.

It was converted to a penitentiary later in its history.

We decided to enjoy the downtown and take the old cable car to the top of one of the many hills in San Francisco.  First we walked back along the piers.

We might have been able to take the bike share, but once again I think you have to be a resident.

The old warehouse buildings have been converted, one of them had a variety of boutique style food outlets.

The downtown views from the waterfront were very interesting.

Of course there is always the other side of any big city.  We saw quite a few homeless people.

We took the trolley car (cable car) up California Street.

 

After we had taken the trolley car (cable car) we walked down the hill to China Town.

One of the interesting facts that Leslie told us about was the San Francisco Fountain.  On the anniversary of the 1906 earthquake, anyone that is still alive comes to this fountain. I am guessing that no-one comes here anymore. The cast iron fountain served as a meeting point during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and resulting fires, which is commemorated by a metal panel attached to the monument.

\”Commemorations of the earthquake, including a dwindling pool of survivors, are held every year at 5:12 a.m. on April 18 at the intersection\”.

We really enjoyed exploring, San Francisco.