http://www.gloria305travels.com/google68e958dd14763a9e.html .

 

 

I had always heard that the trip on Hwy 101 North (Pacific Hwy) from Los Angeles to San Francisco was beautiful, but everything that I was told was much less than my own experience in our trip, it was awesome, especially  since we had a clear day without any fog.

 

 

Views from Hwy 101.

 

We went to see Hearst Castle in San Simeon, you leave the car in the parking lot and climb on a bus to the Castle.  The castle has 165 rooms which includes the main house with 115 rooms and several guest houses on 120 acres, that were donated to the State by William Randolph Hearst.

 

HEARST CASTLE

 

Located in a mountain 1,600 feet high, called The Enchanted Hill.  The gossips say Mr. Hearst built this castle to his mistress, actress Marion Davies, since his  wife never gave him a divorce, although he  spent with Marion  long seasons in the castle and gave great parties with a large number of VIP”s.  It was built between 1920 to 1940.

 

 

Views of Castle main swiming pool

 

The Castle is huge and is divided into four tours.  I recommend going with  comfortable shoes, as their is a lot of walking involved.               Tel: (800) 444-4445.  The entrance fee is between $ 20.00 and $30.00 dollars depending on the date, tour,  and time that you choose to go.

 

SAN FRANCISCO MISSION

From Hearst Castle we went to the  “San Francisco Mission”, like in all missions, priests, as well as , native workers (who were “servants), soldiers, lived there, and also it had rooms for visitors.

In 1833 it was hit hard by an earthquake, but it was rebuilt.   I was  not very impress by this mission since I already visit the “Capistrano Mission” in Southern California.

SAN FRANCISCO

I was very anxious to reach San Francisco, and I was surprised since I thought that every house was going to be  ”Victorian Style” as seen in movies or on TV.

 

View of a typical San Francisco housing.

San Francisco is a beautiful city, and HOME of the famous Golden Gate Bridge.  No wounder the song “I left my heart  in San Francisco”.

 

Golden Gate Bridge

Considered a marvel of engineering, was completed in 1937, is 1.7 miles long and you can cross it 24 hours a day, by car, on foot or by bicycle, but motorists pay a toll to cross it.

It is the longest suspension bridge ever built,  connecting San Francisco to Sausalito across the bay.

We spent a day at Fisherman’s Wharf.  First we bought the tickets to go to “Alcatraz”, the ferries are operated by Alcatraz Cruises, departing from “The Rock” at “Pier33″ on the wharf.

ALCATRAZ ISLAND

Only 20 minutes by ferry,  you can take a beautiful photographs of San Francisco, the bridge, the prison and the bay from the ferry.

 

 

 

 

Alcatraz was a federal maximum security prison from 1934 to 1963, there were well-known criminals as Al Capone,  Machine Gun Kelly, and many more that spent time at this prison.

It left me without words. You can take an “audio tour”  by renting  headphones, that are in many languages, which will explain in detail the history of this place.

If you go from May to September it is advisable to buy tickets in advance.  For reservations call:  (405) 981-7625.

Once back from our tour, we walked around the Fisherman’s Wharf, which is full of restaurants, hotels, shops and above all, very fresh fish and seafood.

The Pier 39, on Beach Street,  are two floors of shops, restaurants and resorts, where you can spend a wonderful time and meet many friendly tourists from many parts of the world.  From there you can also see  “seals” that are on a platform.

Ghirardelli Square

Between Beach & Polk Streets, near Fisherman’s Wharf, on a 2.5 acres is the old brick building of the famous Ghirardelli chocolate factory. You can taste and buy it there.

CHINATOWN.

When you are in San Francisco, it is a must to visit “Chinatown”, it is the largest outside Asia and the oldest in North America.

 

 

 

You can take a  walking tour of Chinatown, it will lead to the manufacture of handmade ”Fortune Cookies” , also you’ll see how they work their artisans using techniques thousands of years old.  You can eat lunch in any of their restaurants, the smell of their food will guide you .

I loved it, but the parking was a bit difficult.

Nearby was the Italian neighborhood,  this whole area was interesting and entertaining to us.

San Francisco is famous for its hills, has over 50,  and its neighborhoods have been built into them: Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, Russians Hill etc.   Southwest of the city there are other hills called Twin Peaks which  is one of the highest points in the city.

 

San Francico view from Twin Peaks

 

Lombard Street (Now The Crookedest Street)

The street with more switchbacks in America, it was designed this way so you slow down and could admire their homes and gardens while driving it downhill.  You can park at the end of the street  in Leavenworth St. where you can take the best photos.

 

Another view of Lombard St.

To get around the city, if you have no car, can take the trolley, sometimes, depending on the time,  pack full.  Also you can take the city buses, taxis, or take the  city tour.

 

Busy San Francisco trolley.

On this occasion, we stayed in San Bruno, a city that is 12 miles south from downtown San Francisco,  we like to stay in the suburbs, since they have less expensive hotels and quietest areas.  We stayed at the Comfort Inn there.

There are plenty of things to do in San Francisco, just wanted to give you an idea of the main things to do.

Remember what I always say: ENJOY YOURSELF!

Pictures by: Gloria and Vily.