San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair)

A Few Facts First

San Francisco enjoys a Mediterranean climate with cool, dry summers that have lots of fogs and wet mild winters.

San Francisco Skyline from the Ferry

Its metropolitan area has a population of 765,000 and 66,000 jobs are provided through the main industry of tourism. The city was named by the Spanish after Saint Francis of Assisi (cities with "San" in their name are named after a male and those with"Santa" are named after a female).

Streets of San Francisco

San Francisco is built on a myriad of hills and therefore has many steep streets. The most famous of these is Lombard Street which has eight turns over one block with a 16 degree incline. Unbelievable!

Californian wine is plentiful so we've felt obliged to try lots of different varieties and at the rate of one bottle a day we feel we'll get through a fair few in the 18 nights we're in San Rafael. It's a great way to unwind at the end of each day whether we've been a tourist or a local for the day. Thanks to Alicia for introducing me to Californian White Zinfandel. It's definitely one of my favourites, joined closely by Korbel Brut champagne (so far).

We've been into San Francisco by both ferry (from Larkspur) and bus (from San Rafael). The ferry trip was absolutely picture postcard perfect. We went past San Quentin prison which houses California's death row inmates and its only gas chamber, and Alcatraz the infamous prison in the middle of San Francisco Bay. We saw the Oakland-Bay double decker bridge with cars going in opposite directions on each of its levels.

San Quentin Prison

Fisherman's Warf

The ferry dropped us at the Ferry Building at Pier 1 and we enjoyed a slow leisurely walk around all the piers to Fisherman's Wharf at Pier 42. We've since enjoyed San Francisco's world famous clam chowder (with more Californian wine of course) and views of trawlers and fishing boats to top it off.

One of my favourite spots in San Fran

One of the better known landmarks is the Golden Gate Bridge, which some people say is “the most spectacular bridge in the world”. According to a postcard I bought for Mum "it seemed an impossible task to build the Golden Gate Bridge a century ago. The location is exposed to brutal winds, tide and fog. It is less than eight miles from the epicenter of one of the most catastrophic earthquakes in history – the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fires. Joseph Strauss was the only engineer willing to gamble that his bridge could withstand such destructive power. The length of steel wires used in the cables of the bridge would circle the earth three times." It truly is spectacular and we are planning on a return walk over the bridge next week.

Chinatown Mid-Week

Chinatown is a little different from many of the Chinatowns I've visited. It has the usual array of restaurants where we enjoyed dim sum and we roamed through a wide variety of shops. The gold rush of 1848 bought many Chinese to San Francisco and they continue to bargain if you ask. I was happy with the outcomes of my bargaining. I was also thrilled to find freshly baked Chinese custard tarts and steamed buns! I just love them.

San Francisco is also famous for its cable car which was first used in 1873 after five horses died the year before, when their horse-drawn car fell backwards down one of the steep streets. The accident prompted the invention of the wire cables still used today. We took a ride on one of these down one of the very steep streets.

The hop-on, hop-off, open top buses for tourists in the bigger cities are great and San Francisco's doesn't disappoint. We picked up lots more information about the popular landmarks and enjoyed hopping on and off over two consecutive days taking in City Hall, Union Square, Panhandle and Golden Gate Park to name but a few spots. Panhandle in Golden Gate Park was was the site of the infamous "Summer of Love" in 1967, when thousands of young people flocked to the site for free food, free LSD, music and free love.

We cruised to Alcatraz on Friday and had a personal audio tour each. The commentary was very well done. The cells, isolation, visiting areas, dining room, warden's house, officer's club etc were all part of the tour. While we were on Alcatraz we also experienced one of the "fogs" San Francisco is noted for. We couldn't see past the edge of the island at all and the Golden Gate Bridge was covered in fog from the water upwards so that only the top of the pylons were visible. I've never seen a fog move in and become so thick, so quickly. It must have been surreal when the prisoners (e.g. Al Capone) were in the exercise yard and the fog moved in.

Living as Locals

One of the most enjoyable things so far has been living like a local rather than a tourist. An Australian we met on our hop-on, hop-off bus, complained that she couldn't just rest in her hotel because she had no outdoor area. We have this beautiful home in the hills to enjoy and return to when we feel like quiet and rest. The pool is beautiful and the scenery from the top of this hill is so calming. I've spent a lot of time out on the verandah enjoying the fresh air. I can highly recommend home exchanges! The cleaning lady is even here today!

Today is also a public holiday for Labor Day which is celebrated on the first Monday of September. Originally this was a day when workers celebrated their accomplishments, aired their grievances and discussed strategies for better working conditions and salaries. Nowadays, it's associated less with union activities and protest marches, and more with things like family picnics, sporting events and the last chance to enjoy summer.

The TV (which is enormous) and the daily San Francisco Chronicle keep us up to date with all the local news and politics. The Democratic 2008 National Convention in Denver Colorado received full TV coverage and it was great to hear Barack Obama's historic live acceptance speech as the presidential nominee. The Republican National Convention starts today in St Paul Minnesota amid Hurricane Gustav's presence and the announcement from Sarah Palin (John McCain's controvertial choice as VP running mate) that she's proud her pregnant 17 year old unmarried daughter has decided to keep her baby. Sarah Palin's background makes for interesting reading and is the topic of much discussion by the media!!!!

We saw Mamma Mia yesterday and if you haven't seen it yet - go! It was such an entertaining movie. We had a sing-a-long version which showed all the words to the songs on the bottom of the screen. I was bopping away in my seat! I didn't want it to ever finish.

Between the dimes and quarters, trash cans, cellphones, Smog tests, gas, food to go, sidewalks etc, I'm wondering how Americanised our son will already be. All in all I can honestly say that here in San Rafael and in San Francisco everyone has been so very pleasant and polite to speak with. I love striking up conversations with lots of different people and listening to their stories.

Back Home

Rachel or Kerry, can you please read this blog to Mum and give her a cuddle from me. Ta!

Steve and Alanna we miss you (hugs and kisses) but we know you'll really enjoy your trip over here next May. Please say hello to Julie and Barry and read them the blog.

To the TARTS - I'm looking forward to our AGM in Caloundra in October! Go girls! Baby cuddles for Beverlee's new grandson and hopes for a continued speedy recovery for Desley's Ron.

To my colleagues at work - I haven't been thinking about the work side of Southbank but I have definitely been thinking of you all. Happy belated birthday Norval! I hope each and every one of you is very well and happy.

To our caravanning friends - we hope those who are going to Kyogle have a great rally. We really enjoyed the recent newsletter. Safe travels everyone.

To our extended familes and the rest of our friends - we send our love and good wishes and look forward to our next get together with you, wine and food.

Much love

Lyn and Ray