More relaxing pace today. We have a 2 day hop on hop off pass. First bus leaves at 9am and we are on it as it leaves from just around the corner from our hotel. We have covered a lot of the areas on the cable cars or on foot but today we have a commentary so get a bit more information about what we are seeing.
Lots of information from a local guide about different movies shot here, famous people who live or have homes here and some history. The flat area of San Francisco is all reclaimed land but the hills and there are 49 of them are all built on. San Francisco is the most expensive city in the US. It surpassed New York a couple of years ago. There are 6600 homeless people living on the streets, mostly in the Tenderloin district. They do it pretty tough as it is so cold and there are not enough shelters to house and feed them.
This is our first opportunity to get up close to the Golden Gate Bridge and in fact by the end of the day we have crossed it 4 times. The first crossing on the open deck of the double decker bus is freezing and windy but amazing. Once on the other side we switch to a trolley which takes us to Sausalito. It's a very pretty town know as the French Riviera of The USA. The fog has cleared, the sun is shining and it's warm! We shed some of our layers as we stop at a cafe for coffee and brunch. It's such a gorgeous place. The views across the bay toward the city is such as contrast as it is still encased in fog. There are a lot of very expensive yachts moored in the marina in Sausalito and the shops are all very quaint. The houses are built up the mountain side and would have amazing views across the bay.
We get the trolley again which takes across the bridge and back and then we wait for the double decker bus to come back and take us across the bridge to the city side again.
We get off this time to go to the famous crooked part if Lombard Street. The walk to get to this section is very very steep! The one block section has 8 hairpin turns or switchbacks that were built to increase safety as the natural steep grade was thought to be too dangerous back in 1920.
We walk to the next hop on hop off stop which as it turns out is miles away and involves many steep hills, seemed like a good idea at the time. Eventually the bus comes and we complete the journey back to Fishermans Wharf where we have coffee before heading back to the hotel.
Tonight we are doing a night tour on the big bus and it's going to be freezing so we layer up as best we can and decide to have a walk and a drink before we head off.
The night tour leaves at 7pm and takes a different route than during the day. It's a 90 minute drive, it's freezing particularly when we cross the Bay Bridge but it was great and as we return across the bridge the city lights are coming on and it's a beautiful sight.
Last night in San Francisco tonight. We plan to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge tomorrow to feel it's sway. Another very enjoyable day.