San Francisco, California

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Here we are in San Francisco. Can't go wrong here with Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge and the dizzying sights of Lombard St.

Our first stop is Alcatraz Island where we are thrown into prison cells to relive the times of the one and only prison where escape is tougher than you think. To get on board this tour or visit the island yourself i strongly recommend booking in advance as it is one if not the MOST popular tourist attractions next to the Golden Gate Bridge.

We would be boarding the ferry at 11am so we had a look around the markets and maritime museum. There's even the wax museum and Rainforest Cafe which the kids will just absolutely love. Be sure to check out the candy and chocolate shops - a must for the chocoholic (Even if you're lactose intolerant like me =P)!!!!! You can get a variety of different chocolate here from milk to dark, to coconut, jaffa and mint fillings mmmm yummy so my family tells me...pity i can't have it. The bakery is really good to. Watch bread creations from doe to bread. They can make virtually anything...turtles, frogs even an elephant if you want....check it out!!!

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Anyway, after looking through all the stores we were in line to board the ferry to Alcatraz. (See Review) It was absolutely amazing!!!!

The next few days was spent to see one of the 'largest suspension bridges in the world' The Golden Gate - and still is as far as i'm aware =P in addition to the Bay Bridge. Hold onto the little ones though as you might just get blown away - and bring a raincoat or umbrella, you might just need it, especially in Winter seasons as you just might get blown away =p.

Alcatraz
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Claimed to be one of the worlds most beautiful bridges, this bridge attracts visitors from all over the globe each year. An estimated 9 million people each year according to a 1989 survey by San Francisco Convention and Visitor Bureau. After seeing this beauty  it wasn't surprising.

On the day of seeing the Golden Gate Bridge it was raining and freezing cold. You could virtually feel yourself being lift off the ground from the strong wind currents. The sheer size and engineering to build this monumental piece of art, and transport route across the bay is just amazing. The architecture of this bridge is visually  stunning with its sweeping long cables, and two towers linking the bridge and supporting the immense span of the bridge itself.

Mum and Adrian
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Check out http://goldengatebridge.org/visitors/ for more information. Afetr visiting the bridge it was time to head back to our hotel. But not before we took a look at the crookedest street in town, Lombard St. Fancy having a driveway leading out onto this one way street - would be quite challenging but to some degree quite fun. haha This street has been featured in many movies (none that come to mind at the moment), in the long police chases, as well as being a  background image for some. In winter it isn't all that appealing as all the plants are leafless and colourless - best time of year to see this visually unique appealing street is in spring/summer. But if you don't, don't worry too much as there are signs to show how the street changes throughout the year. San Francisco is probably the most visually appealing city in California, and a lot of fun as it has so much to see and do...well of to the city that never sleeps - where the party is only just getting started to greet the new year...yep you guessed it - the city in the desert - Las Vegas!!!! Yeah Baby!!!!