Larkspur Ferry

Contrary to weather forecasts the day opened with sunshine, prompting our decision to spend the day visiting San Francisco. So, following breakfast at Porkey's (a long story!) we took the free hotel shuttle to Larkspur Ferry terminal. We caught the 10:10 am ferry and enjoyed a forty-five minute crossing to the Ferry Terminal in San Fran. On the way passing both San Quentin and Alcatraz!

The terminal building has undergone a major transformation in recent years and is now a classy market-place, full of artisan food producers and craft stalls. In fact, the whole promenade from Pier 39 to the ferry terminal has undergone a significant face-lift since we first visited the City, back-in-the-day.

We walked towards the Trans-America Bank Building and than up Clay, through Chinatown, taking a left on Grant. We soon encountered Union Square and witnessed a colossal amount of heavy roadworks! But Macy's was accessible and ascending to its eighth floor, we were reacquainted with The Chicago Pizza factory and its neat terraced eating area, which has to be one of the worlds best places to have lunch! (We shared a sandwich and that proved too much for us to handle!!)

Leaving Macy's we followed the tram-track's up-hill and then down towards the Bay, passing through the Italian area, and ultimately to Pier 39. The latter is now very 'touristy' ....... ironic the we spotted a Blackpool tram, complete with 'Pleasure Beach' signage! Nevertheless, it was good to see familiar sights (including the seals!) and reminisce about previous visits.

(San Fran is a nice city!). With Quoit Tower in sight, we walked past the Exploratorium and back to the Ferry terminal where we joined the afternoon commuters in the race to get a seat on the ferry. (Lots of people dressed in orange were moving in the opposite direction, heading for the Giant's game.) We got our seats ..... hey, we're British! It was a little greyer and a lot colder when we finally docked in Larkspur, but the hotel shuttle soon reunited us with base-camp and 'Pacific Catch', for dinner! The day wouldn't be complete without a retro piece of music and here it is: Eric Burdon and The Animals 'San Francisco Nights' (with weird intro!)