US/Canada July - September 2015

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 36 - San Francisco

Another early start, and another spare seat next to me on a South West flight.


Jumped on a shuttle at San Francisco airport, and was at the Grant Hotel in the Nob Hill area by about 10.15. Front desk told me I could have a room straight away if I didn't mind staying on the ground floor. No problems here, quick shower, then out and about.


A couple of big hills, and I set my sights on walking down Powell street to Fisherman's Wharf. I was using my recollections from 15 years prior, and actually though I was on Hyde Street, so started traversing across to Powell. After 20 minutes or so of walking, realized I had been on Powell initially, but no dramas, don't mind wandering.
Eventually stumbled upon Coit Tower, somewhere I had planned to visit at some stage.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 36 - San Francisco



Nice murals at the bottom of the Tower. Paid my $8 to go to the top, and received a rareity for change - a $2 note.


Bit of a wait to get up top, only 1 old, small and slow elevator. Well worth the wait though, good views and photo opportunities.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 36 - San Francisco



While up the top overheard one of the guide talking about the Filbert Street Steps, so decided I'd walk down them to The Embarcadero.



Headed to Pier 39, grabbed some lunch, bit of a wander.


Continued further up to Fisherman's Wharf

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 36 - San Francisco


Wandered up to Ghirardelli Square


Would have been rude not to have a sundae



More wandering.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 36 - San Francisco

Jumped on a cable car to go back to the hotel. Struck up a conversation with the conductor about Grid Iron and Australian Rules after he read the breast of my shirt as 'Washington Football Commission?' 'Nah mate, West Australian Football Commission
'

Back to the hotel, grabbed my clothes and did some washing at the laundromat a couple of doors down.



Wandered a bit around the Union Square area before calling it a day

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 37 - San Francisco

Up early to walk down to the boat to Alcatraz.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 37 - San Francisco

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 37 - San Francisco

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 37 - San Francisco

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 37 - San Francisco

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 37 - San Francisco








Headed up to In n Out Burger, which is a must do for anyone travelling to Southern California. Okay, but 3rd in the pecking order behind Shake Shack and 5 Guys. Place was packed and took about 15 minutes to get my order, then had to battle to find somewhere to sit. Was a group of Dutch people on two tables who had finished eating and were sitting chatting. Spotted a spare seat amongst them, and after 37 days on the road was running out of pleasantries, so just plonked myself in with them.



After finishing my food, moved outside to head off and noticed quite a large outside seating area. Will remember it for next time.

 

[kermatu]

I became quite a fan of 5 Guys burgers and dogs too. But the best of the chains I thought was Fuddruckers. Some great burgers in Texas.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 37 - San Francisco

After In n Out burger decided to walk up Hyde St to the top of Lombard St. Not my smartest decision, was hard work.


There were a few people up the top taking photos and waiting for the shot of the trolley coming up the hill with Alcatraz in the background.


A tourist was shot at this spot the day previous, and to be honest i'm not surprised. One fella continually stepped in front of cars, stopping the traffic and getting beeped and yelled at. So when the tram came up the hill I had no other choice than to stand directly in front of him to take my photo.



Walked down Lombard st, then back to the hotel, little more exploring around the Market St area, then prepared for an early start the next day.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 38 - Yosemite National Park

Early morning pick up for a day trip to Yosemite, was on the bus at about 6.00am, still a few more pick-ups after myself, and is probably wasn't until after 6.30 until we started heading over the Bay Bridge towards Oakland. A couple more pick ups the other side of Oakland, and the bus was chokkas. Had a morning tea stop at some town I can't remember the name of, Driver/Guide recommended trying a bear claw to the whole bus. Had heard and seen the Bear Claw on many American TV shows in my time, always wanted to try one. I was near the back of the bus, but fortunately for me a lot of people went looking for a toilet, I went for the food, only 1 bear claw left, and I nabbed it.


A couple more hours drive, some real hair raising switch backs, but before long we were at the entrance of Yosemite.


1st stop, Giant Sequoia Grove

 

[NoName]

I love Yosemite! I'm actually going there in 5 weeks with the main purpose being to hike up Half Dome.

What did you think of the Tuolomne Grove of giant sequoias? The most popular grove is the Mariposa grove but my understanding is its closed for restoration until next year.

 

[Limewood]

Having been to SFO 5 times last trip we finally went to Alcatraz, amazing place, have cell key sitting on my bar and the set of rules is a good read, forget about harsh conditions, near inhumane.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 38 - (cont)

We were given an hour to get down to the grove and get back to the bus, suggested 25 minutes down, 35 minutes to get back up. Thought I was going all right, when I was on track to get back with about 10 minutes to spare. Had to re-think when our driver ran up and back for something to do in about 15 minutes.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 38 - (cont)

Back on the bus, and soon enough had our first view of the Yosemite Valley.




A bit further down the track, had a stop and out to take photos at Tunnel View. Photos below show El Capitan and Half Dome.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 38 - (cont)
Again back on the bus, and were delivered to the Visitors Centre, where we were given just over an hour to explore. Advised to either go to the base of the falls (which weren't falling, or walk along the river, wouldn't have time for both. Chose to walk along the river, take in the scenery and take a few snaps.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Day 38 - (cont)
Quick stop to view climbers going up El Capitan, then a final stop in the valley for more photos.





Stopped for about an hour for dinner, driver heavily pushed a Mexican place, surely was getting a kick back. Also from the same driver the most aggressive badgering for tips from anyone in the stated that I had encountered. Reading reviews for the tour company, this seems a common trait among it/s drivers.

Another stop on Yerba Buena Island for some shots across the water of San Francisco, but by this time the wind was up and was getting very cold, so most people quickly rushed back on the bus.


Finally got to the hotel at about 9pm, end of a long day. Was good to get to visit Yosemite, but with only a little over an hour to really explore, perhaps in hindsight would have preferred to stay a couple of nights to have a good luck. Once again, something else to put on the list for next time.