After flying over the mountains in California, we landed at the airport in San Francisco. The airport is very well communicated with the city by BART line and the yellow one took us almost straight to the Hotel Fusion. The same day after the checking in, we went through Union Square to B44 on Belden Pl for good Catalan dinner. Right after we found a bus which would take us the closest to the Golden Gate Bridge, so that we could see the bridge at night. Unfortunately, we didn’t know how to request a stop in Californian buses and the driver took us to the other side of the bridge – to Sausalito. Alone, in darkness, with no return ticket, we felt a bit scared. Luckily the buses to San Francisco are running every 20-30’ so a few moments later we were back at the bridge. Golden Gate at night watched from overlook – that is a great feeling. Next day was supposed to be full of attractions, so we simply went back to the hotel.
Next day morning we bought the tickets on the famous cable car ride and drove to Fisherman’s Wharf to picket up our BigBus combo ticket together with the one to Alcatraz. We also walked along the entire shore, seeing San Francisco piers, including the most famous one - #39. We bought some souvenirs there and ate popular Clam chowder. It was right about the time to head for our ferry which took us to Alcatraz Island and the well-known prison. Alcatraz is all crowded, people walk through entire island. But main prison building is the most crowded place on the island. With e-guide, we went the entire path through cells, visitor hall, library and dining area. On the ferry back we took nice pictures of the bridge and the city. Since BigBus was running loops all day, we took one to get the closest to the Victorian Painted Ladies – beautiful Victorian tenements. Using city transportation, we went back to Fisherman’s Wharf for BigBus Night Tour, which drove us through entire city again, through Bay Bridge to the Treasure Island. Treasure Island is manmade and, in the evening, ensures the most beautiful views of San Francisco. Night tour is the coldest one in the offer and pretty windy, but the views of the upper lever of the Bay Bridge pay off any inconveniences.
Third, the last day, wasn’t lost at all. We got back to the overlook at the Golden Bridge and saw the bridge again but during the day. We even walked to the first tower and felt how alive it is. Later, we went on the other side of the bridge, reaching Baker’s Beach eventually. A bit exhausted we rested on the beach and headed back to the city, to eat our last lunch on Chestnut Street before the flight. Then we took BART yellow line straight to the airport and safely flew home. Minnesota welcomed us with way higher temperature than California.