San Fran

February 18th marks our 20th anniversary. It seems like yesterday we were married but then again it seems like an eternity...love you Corby ;)

Corby surprised me with a trip to San Francisco! I have heard so many wonderful things about this city so with a lot of help from my older children and friends we made the trip possible. We flew into Oakland to save money and then took public transit to our hotel. It was incredibly confusing but with the help of strangers and employees we made it safe and sound in our hotel which was located in South San Francisco. It was dark when we arrived so we ordered dinner in our hotel. That is how we spent Valentine's Day/Evening. Not exactly romantic but it works!

In the morning, we headed to the Cal-train station located a little walk from the hotel. Thanks to Corby being able to maneuver our map situation we were able to get to our wanted destinations. I would have been lost the entire time without the Corbster.

Here I am on the top part of the Cal-train it was so cool to see the water as we whisked by the different destination until we arrived at the Hub in San Francisco. Single riders only up top!

Once we got off the Cal-train, we walked to the nearby bus stop to head to Pier 39, Alcatraz.

Here comes our Ferry to take us out to the Island.

Headed out for our 11o'clock tour of the Prison. That is the Golden Gate Bridge off in the distance

We took a look back at the beautiful city. Oh it is breath taking!

Once we arrived at Alcatraz, we were given strict guidelines as to what we needed to do. We were lucky enough to have an actual inmate on the island and he was speaking to us later on in the day.

Here's the volunteer preparing us for what lies ahead. Steep hills to climb, beautiful birds to watch and a guided tour through our own private headset, score!

Once in the prison, I was amazed at the living corridors. Those cells are tiny with exactly what you see, a cot, a toilet, and a shelf. No photos were allowed on walls or personal items. I thought it very interesting because this prison shut down 7 years before I was born. It held the worst of the worst criminals. On the wall it stated the inmates names and crimes. The worst of the worst crimes back then were attempted kidnapping, defrauding IRS, burglary. Wow! If only those were today's worst as well.

This is the outside yard where the inmates would play ball and exercise. It is so tiny, pretty sure a lot of balls were lost over the fence and into the water. Only 5 tried to escape Alcatraz. Two were killed in the process and three have never been found. They either died in the treacherous waters filled with sharks and massive undercurrents or rumor has it they were studying up on their Spanish and their goal was South America.. No one knows where these three are their bodies have never been found.

Apparently some privileges were granted to obedient inmates and they were able to have decor in their cell.

This is where the inmates could have visitors. Visitors could come once a month and inmates would see them through this tiny window.

This is how the Correctional Staff dressed everyday.

Corby loved this sign!

This cannon ball weighed over 300 lbs and when shot it would travel 3 miles. Serious pressure!

After our Alcatraz tour we headed for some lunch and began our site seeing. There were lots of individuals playing instruments, drawing pictures, doing magic tricks to earn money. This particular lady was just a dancing around with her crutches to a nearby musician.

Not sure why this was going on but at one point about 10 of these cars all different colors drove down the street. Fancy Smancy

Bria and Ada this is for you, look a limo!

We walked up to Ghirardelli Square and bought some souvenirs. We figured can't go wrong with chocolate for all our helpers.

The streets were so steep and the buildings so close together. Isn't it beautiful. I just loved the way this city looked. It was fun to see McDonald's tall. I am glad we listened and did not rent a car but our legs got an excellent work out!

This is a huge mural painted on the wall down by where we caught Cal-train. Isn't it ginormous?

We chose to eat at an establishment that offered coconut shrimp, probably the best coconut shrimp I have ever eaten, delish. At this restaurant I needed to use the restroom, well it's not gender specific so imagine my surprise as I come out of a stall to greet a male, face to face. The stalls were private and it was extremely safe but it was a little different washing hands next to a male.

Do you see that beauty? Oh my goodness, a little bit of heaven on that skewer!

After lunch, we headed to Lombard Street, AKA Crooked Street. It was quite the hike to get to the top but so worth it once we arrived. It was a gorgeous view and just so amazing to see vehicles driving down this very crooked street.

Refreshing to see blooming life!

Here are two options to get around town. You can rent this Go Car that is GPS navigated and zip in and out or take the cable car. We opted for cable car. Standing room only most of the time.

We spent some time not down by the piers but in actual down town San Fran. It was so dirty and noisy. I have never heard so many horns get honked then during this trip.

Homeless every where. One gentlemen approached us and asked for money for morning coffee we ignored him and kept on walking he yells at us "What good is it anyway if you don't give it away, what good is it!" We both laughed.

I took a picture of this extremely tall building. Three shots later I filmed the entire massive thing. I just love big cities, I really do. I love the tall sky scraper buildings, the noise, the chaos. I was born a big city girl!

Such a glorious sight. Love this!

Before we left for our get away, multiple people told us "have to" places. Ike's Place was a have to. It is no where near anywhere we were but so worth the subway, bus, and train switches to arrive. So yummy! Major hole in the wall, but seriously aren't those the best places to eat. It was so delish, my mouth waters as I write about this weeks later.

Home away from home for 4 days some of the many modes of transportation.

ChinaTown. 

It's kind of hard to see but this guy is sitting on a stool playing an instrument with a mask on. It was so cute to see. I love that in this city everyone to each their own. No conforming, no judgements, just filled with people minding their own business and more than happy to assist tourists walking around with their map upside down. What a refreshing environment.

So fun to see everything so decked out

Any color of wig offered for cheap prices. I think the long purple one is a good look for Corby, but he didn't think so.

On Monday, our second to last day in paradise, we rented bikes and toured the city. We rode with 3 others and a tour guide. He helped navigate us to our desired destinations. The ride along the Golden Gate Bridge was magnificent. Best way to see this bridge I tell ya. The day was beautiful we even got some sun, double bonus. Our tour ended in a city on the other side of Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito

Our new found BFF's. These people were so fun, couldn't ask for a better group to hang out with. Lady in yellow is from Albuquerque, New Mexico and the couple from England. Loved their accents.

Sausalito

We opted to catch the ferry instead of ride back so we could explore more of San Fran on two wheels.

Don't you love how sneaky Corby thinks he is? I tell him I don't love my photo, so he takes scenic shots with me in it. Gotta love him or beat him, one of the two! Check out how curly my hair was in San Fran, it was funny to see how it responded to the different elevations.

Upon our return, we rode our bikes to Little Italy, home of Gelato. Worth the trek up the steep hills again.

Next to the Gelato was a pastry shop. Have you ever seen so much deliciousness in one setting. They were all so tasty looking.

After awhile of more sight seeing we headed back to Pier 39, where most of the tourist stuff is. We had to go into a store that was the entire block of one street. It was Boudin Sourdough. Does that mean anything to you? Didn't to me until this trip. It was a gigantic bread store with everything to cook with in the store part. I saw their chili and decided that was my dinner while Corby found a nearby street vendor to get his envied calamari.

Aren't these breads cooked in designs just adorable. I would have brought some home but those small animals were pricey so a picture will have to do children.

After dinner we took a romantic stroll down to the beach. It was so beautiful. The sand was awesome. The water is a little chilly but I did see someone swimming out in it, die hard!

And that my friends is our trip to San Francisco. Thanks again for all the help that everyone rendered to make this possible. Happy 20th Anniversary!