West Coast Virgins - Day 2 - SanFrancisco

[georgemac]

13th March 2015 – San Francisco – Muir Woods, Pier 39 and Macy’s

Estimated Distance Driven Today 115 Miles
Estimated Distance Driven On Trip 115 Miles

Jet lag, awake early – very early, persevered, 7 HR time difference. I watched some programmes on my ipad!
Continental breakfast in hotel. Got courtesy car to airport to pick up rental car. Got free upgrade from premium to luxury and allocated a Volvo XC60, which was a nice car.

Drove to Muir woods. Not sure if rental car had toll opt in for Golden Gate Bridge, I never even knew there was a toll fee for bridge. Volvo XC60 from luxury range. Stopped at Macy's at Stonestown Galleria. Wife delighted as special sale today, tomorrow which she saw on the TV ads. Used wifi in Macy’s and prepaid toll for the bridge – although it has not yet appeared on my credit card. Very easy online, could not get through on phone using Skype to phone booking. You need car registration number to prepay toll. Lots of people walking across bridge.

Nice drive up to Muir Woods, very busy all parking lots full, very windy road, some stunning views from top of hill. Parked at side of road, and $7 each for entry to Muir Woods – we did about a 2 mile trail walk in the Redwoods and really enjoyed it.
The woods was donated to the national parks by John Muir, quite a famous Scot who emigrated to America. He is known as the “Father of The National Parks” and the citizens of the USA have a lot to thank him for.

Sausalito looked very nice. Boat plane rides looked interesting, wished we had time to have a look at this.
Back to car, and heading for sausilito when sat nav dies, no power from sockets. Decided to try and head back to hotel or a shop for a USB cable to see if this would work, gave Sausilito a miss.
Drove back across bridge, missed exit for viewing area or would have gone there and parked. Both sides have viewing areas and think they would have been nice.

Drove back to mall. Had lunch in Olive Garden. Could not find any shop selling usb cable, although we looked in a few more. Downloaded maps to my wifes iphone which we have on Three Feel at home, used store wifi, as we hardly got 3G signal anywhere.
Drove to super target, Shops at Transforan close to hotel, no usb cables for sale, so back to hotel. Changed and with Usb cable headed off to pier 39, using iPhone Google maps as sat nav would not work with USB cable. Phone got us to Pier 39 just before battery died. Went to Francisco street, parked on street at meter which was cheaper than the fixed price Lot parking – was very easy – paid by credit card. Traffic heavy on way to Pier 39.
Very nice area, very busy, walked around and had coffee and a snack. Some beggars around with very unique and honest begging cards, I need weed, I need beer. It was a little cooler now in the evening.

Drove back to hotel, without navigation, just followed signs for San Bruno and managed OK. Called Avis bit only voicemail – left message but nobody emailed or called back. In bed 9 pm.
Very nice enjoyable day. Only downside was we have managed to lose our red Panasonic waterproof compact – may have left it in hire car next day.

[georgemac]

Photobucket links removed - will try and update later

[Pussycat Doll]

Brings back so many memories! Lovely photos. Pussycat

[abiknox]

Lovely photos, shame about the Sat Nav! That would be my worst nightmare.

[penguin19]

Lovely photos. SF is one of my all time favorites

[florida girl]

Lovely photos. We enjoyed our time at Muir Woods.

[Cloverlady]

great!
You packed a lot in to that day considering you must have been a bit jetlagged.

Muir Woods looks really interesting (googled it as was unaware of it previously, think we might have to go there)

I so want to see those seals In fact, so want to go to San Francisco full stop!

[Jake71]

Fab photos of San Francisco, makes me excited for our trip.