Day 17: Friday 17th September

"Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair"

We could watch the ocean from the bed!!

these two pictures click for bigger

And the famous fog was rolling in over the hills.

Then; how exciting! San Francisco!

We attempted to 'do' it by following the 49-mile scenic drive. This didn't always work out successfully - but we did see an awful lot more of the city than we otherwise would've seen!

Firstly, we drove to Lake Merced and Golden Gate Park. We stopped at the Buffalo Paddock, the Chinese Pavilion and the arboretum, before getting lost.

Eventually though, we found our way out of the Park and found ourselves on top of Twin Peaks, with a fabulous view over the city. Pity it was so ccccccold (and foggy - somewhat obscuring the view).

We then drove down around Dolores Mission, South Beach and Embarcadero, parking down by the Bay Bridge, close to Pacific Bell Park (baseball), where we bought egg 'sandwiches' from the deli there.

Then we became quite lost and muddled in the downtown areas of the Financial District, Union Square, Nob Hill and Japantown

- so we temporarily abandoned the route and headed straight for the waterfront, where we firstly parked behind Ghirardelli Square - where we bought CHOCOLATE and a rainbow whirly thing.

this one is clickable!

Onwards to Pier 39. It was exactly as tacky as expected!! It cost us $15 to park!!! There were lots of interesting shops and eating places. Paul bought a film for his camera and a San Francisco hooded fleece. Hub bought a Hard Rock Cafe T-shirt. I bought a little bear (cat), called Mary, a Bless This Home hanger, a bit of artwork - and a bag of warm doughnuts!! We also saw the smelly seals!!

Continuing with the Scenic Drive, we continued around to Presidio. Here I was sick. I took my medication and felt around the back for some water to wash it down with (it was now dark). The American streets are so much cleaner than ours at home, that we hadn't wished even to leave stubbed out cigarettes anywhere, so had collected them up in a bottle, with a little water at the bottom of it. THIS is what I washed my tablet down with. I demanded STOP THE CAR! by the barracks, where I crouched down beside the back wheel and made myself sick. Oh GROSS!!

We then drove by the Golden Gate Bridge and the Palace of the Legion of Honor, where we enjoyed a lovely sunset.

(click for bigger)

Finally, we drove down the Great Highway, by the ocean, and back to Pacifica and our hotel.

While I had been walking around Pier 39 earlier, I had become very sad and had very nearly burst into tears. I loved it here (America) and would be so sad to leave tomorrow.

We packed our bags, ready for the plane home.

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[ Introduction ] [ Day 1 ] [ Day 2 ] [ Day 3 ] [ Day 4 ] [ Day 5 ] [ Day 6 ] [ Day 7 ] [ Day 8 ]
[ Day 9 ] [ Day 10 ] [ Day 11 ] [ Day 12 ] [ Day 13 ] [ Day 14 ] [ Day 15 ] [ Day 16 ]
[ Days 18, 19 and 20 ]

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