Arrival in San Francisco

We arrived in San Francisco around midday, or 'noon' as they say in America.  We handed back the Rav 4 at the Alamo depot, and then walked for about three minutes to our hotel, the Handlery Union Square Hotel, which is on Union Square.

After settling in, we headed out again and boarded a tram bound for Fishermans Wharf.  San Francisco is, as I knew already, very hilly.  Sitting on a tram and rising up one side of a San Francisco hill is like the ascent on a roller coaster prior to the breathtaking plunge.  Here though, you rise up then flatten out for a second before rising up again, flattening out again and rising again.

We arrived at Fisherman's Wharf.  Fisherman's Wharf is an area for tourists and locals alike with entertainment, cafes, restaurants and tourist stores.  Especially Pier 39.  From here, you can see Alcatraz out in the bay.  Alcatraz was once a prison, but is today a major tourist attraction.  You wonder why it was supposed to be so difficult to escape the island once a prisoner managed to reach the water.  It really doesn't look that far to swim.  We could also see the Golden Gate Bridge, but fog covered much of it.

I fancied some chips (fries), so I ordered some.  While we ate them, a big roar came from a pub at Pier 39.  In the World Cup, the USA failed to score an easy goal against Portugal.  A few moments later, the USA did score.  Americans are patriotic (I've seen more American flags on this trip than I've had hot dinners).  But knowledge of football escapes them.

A big surprise here is the weather.  It's the second day of summer, but it's freezing.  The wind is biting and cold.  A restaurant at Pier 39 had a roaring fire going.  I asked if it were always so cold in San Francisco.  Yes, was the reply.

We're also not very impressed by the transport here.  Whether using the trams or the PCCs (like, heritage cable cars), you have to wait ages to get on board.  Our hotel concierge said the average wait is 90 minutes.  I've never been here before, and I've known a lot of people over the years who have loved this city.  I hope they haven't all set me up for a disappointment.  First impressions are only so-so.  We're here for a week, so let's see how we go.

San Francisco is very hilly.

Fisherman's Wharf is a tourist attraction.

Pier 39 is where, strangely, sea lions hang around during certain times of the year.  But they've gone elsewhere to give birth to their young.

A scene at Fisherman's Wharf

At Pier 39

Pier 39

Behind the ship is Alcatraz.

Alcatraz

In San Francisco, you can hire these cars.  Apparently, they give the tourist commentary.

The trams are very full here.