San Francisco Day Tripping

Today was forecast (and turned out to be) a mostly sunny day, so drove to the Larkspur Ferry Landing on the North Shore and took the fast ferry Mendocino across San Francisco bay to the downtown ferry terminal.  It started out a little foggy, but burned off to be a very nice day.

Fast Ferry Mendocino Cruises at Forty MPH

Fog as We Left the North Bay Terminal at Larkspur

On the way across the bay, we got some great views of Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge before we got to the San Francisco side.  Once there, we splurged on lunch at Alioto's at Fishermen's Wharf.

Alcatraz Island on the Way Across the Bay

 Since the weather was good, we decided to take a bus tour of the city and we rode in the top of an open double decker bus around the city and to the Golden Gate Park.  We got off there and took in the Garden Railway in the Conservatory of Flowers there.  We had no idea that Golden Gate Park was even bigger than New York's Central Park.

Our Ride Around SFO Today

San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge from the South

One of the highlights of the ride was crossing the Golden Gate Bridge from North to South and back again.  It was a bit chilly, but well worth the cold.  By the time the tour was over, it was getting dark, so we decided to get off the tour in the financial district and then walked down to the ferry terminal for our trip back to the North Shore.  All in all, it was a great day.

SF Skyline from the Ferry

Tomorrow may be the last nice day for the rest of the week, and we may be meeting Forest Service friends from this area for lunch and then take care of some things around the Fiver.  It has been a relaxing and enjoyable stay here in Petaluma so far.  Here are a couple of other photos to close this posting--of Victorian homes from the tour and of the San Francisco ferry landing at night.

"Painted Ladies" Victorian Homes from Our Tour

Pamela Took This from the Del Norte Ferry Tonight

Thanks for visiting, 

Neil and Pamela