Dollar_Bill and Jools go west. Day 7 Move to San Francisco

[Guest]

Day 7 Move to San Francisco
I was awake at some silly time as per usual whilst Bill snored away also as per usual. Bill eventually got up and we went down to Starbucks to have a breakfast snack before we left for the airport. There are many different Starbucks outlets in the hotel and we went to the one which is just on the edge of the casino. There were still a few people in the casino and I wondered if they were starting early for the day (it was 6.50 am) or if they’d been there all night. One young man was clearly not happy as he kept hitting the ‘spin reels’ button with great force and was muttering away about it being ‘a fix’. We bought breakfast snacks of Danish pastry and vanilla latte for me, and OJ and a sugar cookie for Bill, which we took back to the room to eat.

We left for the airport at 8 and after short cab ride we were there (cost $13). Check in was simple, there was no line at all. I reckon most people would have checked in on line, we couldn’t as we didn’t have access to a printer to print our boarding cards. The check in lady was very smiley and asked if we’d like to upgrade to First for $50 each – wow that was a good price, it was $100 each when we booked the flights back in February. I said yes and she went away to do something. She came back and said there was now only one First class seat left, we were pretty disappointed but ah well it was only an hour and half flight.

We went off to departures. Now I thought this was a small airport and indeed the international part of it seems to be so. The domestic flights terminal was great though. There are loads of shops and restaurants, oh and casinos of course. We were through security very quickly and proceeded to the gate.
Bill got the laptop out of his backpack and fiddled about with some photos he had on it. Our plane was in. It was called Jefferson Airplane (anyone remember the band of the same name – hmm maybe not it was a long time ago)


Once on board we didn’t have long to wait before take off. We had had an e-mail the day before advising us that the departure time had been changed from 11.15 to 10.15. It seems that not all passengers had been notified or were aware of the change as some were hurrying on board saying they thought the flight left at 11.15. Bill said the view of Vegas from the window was great – not that I would know as I couldn’t see anything as Bill was obscuring my view. Luckily he took these photos so I could see the view after all




The Virgin America flight was very good. The aircraft itself was very clean and even in economy we had loads of room, and were in very comfy seats. Soft drinks were free, alcohol had to be paid for. We each had a coke.
Once we arrived at San Francisco it didn’t take long to claim our bags and then we were out to the taxi rank and straight into an awaiting cab. It took about 25 minutes to reach Fisherman’s Wharf. We were staying at the Radisson, the taxi driver didn’t seem to know where it was and wanted to drop us off at the Sheraton. Bill insisted he took us to the Radisson, and luckily I could see it ahead, so we were dropped off at the correct hotel. The taxi fare cost $35.

There was quite a long line for check in but it moved quickly and we were soon in our room.


We were only in the room for about 5 minutes before we hot footed it out of the door, eager to see the sights. We got to the end of the street and Bill said we should turn left for pier 39. I was looking to the right where I could see the bay and lots of activity going on. ‘I think we should go left’ I said. Sure enough within about 10 yards there was a huge sign for pier 39. We crossed the road (which we now know is Jefferson Street) and walked around the pier. We could see Alcatraz in the distance.

We walked around some more. Bill wanted to see the sea lions, and could hear them so we followed the sound until we got to them. Bill took loads of photos of them. They were a fantastic sight to see, but I have to say their person hygiene leaves a lot to be desired – phew what a stink, it was making my eyes water.

We went back towards Jefferson Street and crossed the road again. We discovered the Radisson had an entrance here to so we could be straight into the heart of the wharf. Even better it had a Johnny Rockets attached to it. We went in and had sandwiches (philly cheese steak for me, grilled cheese for Bill) and the obligatory chocolate peanut butter shake for me and a Dr Pepper float for Bill. We continued along Jefferson Street until we got to the cable car turn around. We bought 3 day passports at a cost of $18 each and waited in line to get on the cable car. The wait was an hour, but we didn’t mind as the sun was nice and warm and we just had a great view of the bay.

[Guest]

We got really near the front of the line – there were three people in front of us for the next car. When it was time to board, two old dears who’d been behind us, got in front of us, by running like the proverbial clappers and claimed the seats we were after at the side of the car. Bill sat down and told me to do the same, well the space was tiny, way too small for my lardy backside. He pulled me down into the seat and it was well, shall we say snug. Wow this was an amazing ride, and when we started going down the steep hills there was room for my big butt after all

I couldn’t believe how many people could crowd into the car, and also how many could hang onto the outside. The ‘driver’ was really funny and made the journey really entertaining. There were various stops along the way until we finally came to Union Square where everyone had to get off.
I’d heard of Union Square but didn’t know what it was. Well it was shops, shops and more shops It was late on a Saturday afternoon and the place was packed, just like Newcastle City Centre is on a Saturday afternoon, my idea of hell in fact. Bill wasn’t thrilled with the shops either as there was no Circuit City in sight. We decided to go back to Fisherman’s Wharf, but didn’t know how to get there. I knew the 3 day passports we’d bought gave us access to all the ‘muni’ transport so we just had to work out which bus or tram etc to get. Luckily the bus stops are plentiful and they had timetables posted on them. We needed to get an ‘F line’ tram back to Fisherman’s Wharf. And were lucky as we waited less than five minutes for one to come along. We were soon on board and back in Fisherman’s Wharf within about 10 minutes. From there we walked back to the Radisson and had a little rest before going out again.

We were undecided where to eat. Neither of us likes seafood, which is a pity as there are dozens of seafood restaurants. So we decided on an old favourite the Hard Rock Café.

We waited about 25 minutes for a table. I had sirloin steak and Bill had a cheese burger. We had no starters or deserts.
These obviously didn’t phone each other to check what they were going to wear before going out for the evening

After our meal we had a look in a few of the shops on Pier 39. I thought it was all very like Scarborough (I love Scarborough), and Bill just laughed at me. It was cold in the evening and there was very chilly breeze blowing. We bought fleece lined jackets from a shop on the Pier. There was only one which we both liked so we now how the same jackets. Ah well we’d better write our names inside like at school. We had a laugh about being Mr and Mrs matching jackets but as long as they keep us warm I suppose. We then walked back to the hotel. It seemed like days since we left Vegas as we’d had such a busy day. I think it was my favourite day so far though.

[Michelle]

What a great day.

We were just looking at SF hotels yesterday

LOL's at getting your bottom into that tiny space. I think I would like to ride the tram hanging on the side

Great photos.

[Bob_and_Dawn]

A great day Bill and Jools, thanks for sharing.

Bob

[truesdpr]

You're bringing back memories here Jools. That Johnny Rockets was the first one we ever went to on our 1st anniversary trip to SF. I'm delighted to hear it's still there - will be taking DD for breakfast next March! LOL at you two in matching jackets - very Brad & Angelina or maybe Posh & Becks?! Still it can get chilly out on the Wharf. Love Bill's pics from the plane.

Pam.

[Guest]

A brillant day Bill and Jools.

[georgemac]

Great photos again from Bill. Glad you had a pleasant trip and such a lovely day. Sadly I can remember Jefferson Airplane, and LOL after the photos of the 2 girls in the same dresses you two end up in matching jackets!

[The Durrigan's]

Bill you've done it again, another great batch of pic's

[Clare]

Another great day

[ali-s]

Oh! wish I was back there ! told you their transport system is easy to use - wish our bus stops were the same .Dare you to ride on the side of a cable car before you leave! ( it's great fun )