But we found our way to Pier 33 and took Alcatraz Cruises to the island for the morning. It was cool and breezy, the water choppy around us. We watched a very educational film about the island first and then joined a guided tour by a park ranger. She took us on a normally closed trail around part of the island and told us so much of its history, first as a military fort designed to protect the bay during the Gold Rush and then as the most serious federal prison in the country. During it's prison years, the families of the guards even lived on the island in their own little neighborhood. The kids took a ferry to school and back to the island, home to some of the most feared criminals of the time.
We peeked into cells, walked through the library, saw the mess hall and tried to imagine what this place was like before it closed in 1963. We imagined what it was like for the prisoners who tried to escape, swimming in very cold and strong currents. (I've heard the water rushing out of the bay is so strong you can surf under the Golden Gate bridge.) The kids picked out souvenirs and Dwain and Benita even had a book signed by a former inmate.
Honestly, it was better not to attempt an escape. All but three escapees were found and forced to serve even longer sentences.
This photo is taken from a trail around the island that is usually closed. This was a great view of the prison and watch tower.
The watch tower
The main prison building
.
These cells definitely weren't fancy - and this was one of the better ones!
Perhaps most amazing, is that the island, known as "The Rock," was literally just that. A rock. Before it was turned into a fortress, it was an island made of stone. Water, soil, plant life, everything had to be hauled onto the island to make it usable. Across the bay is Angel Island, a naturally beautiful lush island with a fresh water source.
We ferried back to the pier and started walking toward Fisherman's Warf. We knew we wanted to look around at this famous site and find some seafood for lunch. We hadn't walked more than a minute when a man rode by on a pedicab. Hooray! We stopped him and sent the kids and their grandparents on a ride. We asked the driver for a restaurant recommendation and he said Scoma's, so that's where they headed. (We've really had great success with simply asking locals for restaurant recommendations.)
Ready for their first pedicab ride!
Jason and I had the treat of taking a nice stroll together along the piers. We never ventured down Fisherman's Warf, but enjoyed passing by and seeing the crowds.
Fisherman's Warf
With a little help, we eventually found Scoma's. I ordered a tuna steak sandwich, which I had been craving the entire trip and it was amazing. Gavin, tuckered out from the morning, fell asleep at the table - actually almost tipping right out of his chair at one point.
Poor Boo
Once we were all full and rested we headed out again, this time in search of a nearby cable car stop. We found the end of the Powell-Hyde line, featuring the turn table. The first cable car in SF dates back to 1873 and the cable cars are one of only two National Historic Landmarks that move (the other being the New Orleans streetcars.) I was so excited to ride in one of these and it seemed like the perfect way to get ourselves all the way to Chinatown too.
The ride was so much fun, going up incredibly steep hills and then back down, watching the driver leaning way back with all of his force to put on the break. OK, it was a little frightening too!
We didn't scramble up fast enough to get an open-air seat.
Gavin riding with Grandma and Grandpa (notice Grandpa's black eye!)
Ready for our fun ride!
We got off just a couple blocks from Chinatown and wandered our way through many blocks of markets, stores, restaurants and more. The fresh markets were so exciting, the sidewalks packed with displays of fruits and vegetables, and the nearby shops with fresh seafood, fish and meats. I tried to take a few photos, but between the crowds pushing us along and needing to keep track of the kids, I didn't have the chance.
SF has the oldest and largest Chinatown in the country. It's so big we never did make it to the decorative gates. Next time!
Fish and seafood, anyone?
It was almost the Chinese New Year so there were extra decorations.
Natalie picked out a dress and shoes, her souvenirs from Chinatown. We studied China in the fall and read several books about Chinatowns. She was so very excited to finally visit a Chinese neighborhood.
Natalie's pretty dress and shoes from Chinatown
Jason and I left everyone else at a small cafe and started the long walk back to the parking ramp. I love walking in big cities together, so it was very nice. We may have stopped quickly at a Starbucks along the way too. At one point we turned onto a street and noticed both the street and sidewalk were blocked off. Police stood at different locations along the street. That was odd. So we turned around and went a different way. Again, we came upon a closed street and I nudged Jason to ask the officers standing nearby. "A dignitary is visiting," he replied. Oh my gosh. "I bet it's Obama," I said excitedly.
*When we got back to the hotel that night I did a little Google search. It was indeed an Obabma. Michelle was having lunch with some officials and they shut down the whole area for her.
We picked up the van and as soon as we pulled up to the cafe, everyone jumped inside. Natalie had accidentally ordered a bubble tea and didn't like it. Thankfully they brought it into the van and asked if I wanted it. It was just what I needed to get through a bit more wild downtown traffic and we were back at the hotel.
Golden Gate Bridge
Exhausted from our Day of Fun yesterday, we took it easy in the morning. We packed up for the flight home and headed out to see the Golden Gate Bridge. We used the recommendation made by Alcatraz Cruises to see the bridge at Fort Point. (Again, listening to the locals.) The fort was easy enough to find and had a tremendous view of the bridge. We took a bunch of photos and then decided to drive across.
Grandparents and Grandkids
our wee family
Just the two of us and the Golden Gate Bridge
There is an insane toll system that uses photographs of your license plate and an online billing system, which makes it ridiculous for rental cars to go through. But we checked with our rental car company and worked out the details of being billed later. Jason mentioned they are getting rid of this toll system soon so apparently we were the only ones annoyed.
We went across anyway and it was a stunning drive.
I would love to walk across one day
View from the bridge
Then, it was time to drive out to the airport, return our van and get ourselves ready for the two flights home. It was a such a memorable trip and so hard to see it over already. Thanks, Dwain and Benita, for such good memories. We loved California.
Goodbye, California!
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