San Francisco

Full House Victorians
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Today we toured San Francisco.  We started early and hit the streets running.  It was a good thing.  About 10 am the tourist came out and we did not do much after that.  There was a big cruise ship docked, a large open air farmers market.  Think Ocean City Boardwalk in the summer.

First we saw the "painted ladies", victorian houses.  They looked like the houses used in Full House opening credits.

OMG the crowds

We thought this house looked like the house on Charmed
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Fun Ride. We drove down Lombard Street.  Thank goodness the brakes worked.  After us there was a kid who ran down the street in front of his car taking pictures of his car going down the hill.  Why didn't we think of that.

First stop at Fisherman's Wharf.  We were able to parking on the street and there were no cars in the street and few people walking around.  We did not know this was odd.  We went to Ghirardelli Square.  Very disappointing, I thought it would be like Hershey were you could take a tour with a cool store where you could buy some chocolate that you could not buy elsewhere - no can do.  oh well.

Lombard Street
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Coit Tower.  It helps to start early.  We got the park at the top and saw some amazing views of the city. The windows at the top of the tower are blocked off with glass.  People manage to slide coins under the glass so there are coins on the window ledge.

Back to Fisherman's Wharf for lunch at Boudin and then a boat ride under the Golden Gate Bridge.  OMG the traffic and the people.  We could not move.  The bread at Boudin was terriffic.  Emmerz bought a turtle shape loaf of bread.

Fisherman's Warf Sign
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Now the boat ride.  We had to wait 1 1/2 hours in a confused line.  They had two different boat rides in one line.  It was mass confusion.  It was hot, people were tired, and stupid picture boys just want to take your pictures.  You thought when you bought the ticket they were for a certain time, but they weren't so people were upset when they missed they boat.  I could rant longer but I will save you.  On the boat (sorry they want me to rant longer) we got a seat on the top of the boat but the others not so lucky tourised wanted on top too.  The Captain asked them to be seated or go below. They did for few minutes but they were back.  Repeat the process.  The Captain final got tired and now the top was full of tourist standing so are visibility was limited.  Everytime we stood up to look around the people behind b***** at us, but yet they were standing up as well.  Like I said hot, tired, crowded tourist not a good situation.

View of the Bay from Coit Tower
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We left the Fisherman's Wharf area - trying to get away for the crowed.  We went to Golden Gate Park's Japanese Tea Garden.  It was crowed not much mediation going on, even the fish were hiding in their corner to get away from the crowds.  On the walk to the Tea Garden we walked through a beautiful Rose Garden

On the our last stop - the Pacific Ocean.  It was amazing to be at the beach in July with a coat on. Very Cold and windy.  We did see 1 crazy person in the Ocean. I am sure this will surprise you he had a speedo on.