only my humble opinion
Tuesday 31 May 2011
A wet day at the Aquarium
Today is overcast and raining… so time to head for the indoor exhibit - Pier 39 Aquarium. On route I find the streets almost deserted of tourists and even the ‘bushman’ (a scary bush on the fisherman’s wharf) had downed tools for the morning :)
Did however catch a Segway tour group heading out into the rain led by an ever enthusiastic tour guide shouting out instructions and points of interest above the rustling of rainproof macks ;)
The Aquarium is a small affair in comparison to others that I have visited and the cost of entry for an adult is a little high for what you get $16.50c. However, that said after you have walked in through the main entry you are taken down to the main exhibits in a lift and directed towards the outstanding feature of the aquarium and that is the ‘Moon Jellyfish’ tank, glowing a luminous blue it draws the eye of all people who pass, especially the young who are fascinated it seems by the gentle way they pulsate through the water… Amazing to watch and one of the most peaceful places to be (when there is not a group of excited tourists around ;)). Next door to this tank is another great tank of Jellies and well worth a visit. Then on the two tunnels which see you walking below the watery world of some pretty big fish and small sharks… Most impressive thing really is the shoals of smaller fish circling in balls…
Worth a visit on a wet day but probably worth buying the ticket as part of a package if you’re here for a few days and want to visit several attractions…
Oh well, back to the hostel for some shelter from the light but persistent rain…
Did however catch a Segway tour group heading out into the rain led by an ever enthusiastic tour guide shouting out instructions and points of interest above the rustling of rainproof macks ;)
The Aquarium is a small affair in comparison to others that I have visited and the cost of entry for an adult is a little high for what you get $16.50c. However, that said after you have walked in through the main entry you are taken down to the main exhibits in a lift and directed towards the outstanding feature of the aquarium and that is the ‘Moon Jellyfish’ tank, glowing a luminous blue it draws the eye of all people who pass, especially the young who are fascinated it seems by the gentle way they pulsate through the water… Amazing to watch and one of the most peaceful places to be (when there is not a group of excited tourists around ;)). Next door to this tank is another great tank of Jellies and well worth a visit. Then on the two tunnels which see you walking below the watery world of some pretty big fish and small sharks… Most impressive thing really is the shoals of smaller fish circling in balls…
Worth a visit on a wet day but probably worth buying the ticket as part of a package if you’re here for a few days and want to visit several attractions…
Oh well, back to the hostel for some shelter from the light but persistent rain…
Sunday 29 May 2011
A stroll in the tourist area
Headed down to Fishermans wharf today and spent my time investigating the area (set up for tourists with prices to match - you are better heading for little Italy or china town for lunch/dinner). I finally find myself seated in one of the bars for dinner and find a good atmosphere with a crowded bar/restaurant (Expect to pay $20+ per head along here). By the time I am ready to head back to the hostel it is pouring with rain… there are no signs that it is going to finish soon so I strike out to cover the 1km back to the hostel and end up as wet as I had been after my hike on Kagoshima’s volcano!! 0_0 [Advise - even if the weather looks good in San Francisco when you go out… Take a jacket or umbrella as it could turn overcast and rain within an hour)…
Another day and another walk along the coast, this time along the ‘tourist’ trap of the piers… Being a gloriously sunny Saturday morning the place is heaving with people and some very competitive swimmers making their way out into the bay in seal suits ;) My objective today was to buy a ticket for the Alcatraz tour - there is only one place to get these tickets if you want to set foot onto the island and this is pier 33 - arriving I once again find a phalanx of tourists but after a little wait in the queue I soon find that tickets are sold out… so I book a ticket for 9am on Wednesday J Hopefully this will be quieter as it is early in the morning for tourists and during the week… Top tip here - book your ticket ahead and do not expect to be able to go on the day you arrive!! The lady in the both said that the line was quiet in comparison to the high season just a few weeks away 0_0
One short walk well worth the effort is along the coast to ‘Sissy Fields’ and the modern ‘dog friendly’ café. A cool spot to hang out in the sun facing the Golden Gate Bridge and watching the kite surfers and yachtsman navigate around the incoming container vessels.
Another day and another walk along the coast, this time along the ‘tourist’ trap of the piers… Being a gloriously sunny Saturday morning the place is heaving with people and some very competitive swimmers making their way out into the bay in seal suits ;) My objective today was to buy a ticket for the Alcatraz tour - there is only one place to get these tickets if you want to set foot onto the island and this is pier 33 - arriving I once again find a phalanx of tourists but after a little wait in the queue I soon find that tickets are sold out… so I book a ticket for 9am on Wednesday J Hopefully this will be quieter as it is early in the morning for tourists and during the week… Top tip here - book your ticket ahead and do not expect to be able to go on the day you arrive!! The lady in the both said that the line was quiet in comparison to the high season just a few weeks away 0_0
One short walk well worth the effort is along the coast to ‘Sissy Fields’ and the modern ‘dog friendly’ café. A cool spot to hang out in the sun facing the Golden Gate Bridge and watching the kite surfers and yachtsman navigate around the incoming container vessels.
YHI hostel - Fisherman's Wharf
YHI on Mason Park near to Fishermans Wharf is in my humble opinion the best located of the hostels in San Francisco and the staff try hard to meet the needs of the guests - however, it has several restrictions and is in an old, rather tatty building - for example there are only 3 [tiny] male showers in total for dorm guests and all of these are located in the communal toilets… Then there is the Laundry room which is only open from 4.30pm each day [although cheap at $2 to wash and dry] and finally the café is a rather small affair with only a limited selection of goods for sale and a limit of ONE bagel or two pieces of toast for breakfast!!…
Location, Location, Location…
Location, Location, Location…
Friday 27 May 2011
What was i thinking?!
...Of course there is hiking in SF!! Consider that it is easily possible to use the ’rather crowded’ at times public transport to get practically anywhere within/around the city for $2 [this allows you to transfer the ticket to connecting buses but ask the driver for this when you get on the first bus ;)]. I take the bus to the edge of Golden Gate Park and head for a stroll around the gardens… only to find that several ’characters’ are in residence… But during daylight hours seems safe enough and you can ignore them… The park itself has some wonderful walks and the Botanical Gardens (As well as a few museums) - well worth a look around.
I head through the park to the windmills at the coastal edge of the park only to find one is being renovated (built from scratch is what I would call it) and the other is only accessible via the road… Still, enjoyed the hike.
The Pacific Beach is… hmm… whats the right word… ‘Shabby’ with a beach that is covered in rubbish, crows with the seagulls and a constant haze… Not a pleasant area at all with no facilities of any kind and several people just walking dogs on the beach or just hanging out - I can’t understand why I see a coach load of tourists turn up for photo’s… Really… I mean it is one of the worst beaches I have ever visited!!
Still, decide to hike north along the coastal path to the ‘Legion of Honor’ along the route I find several coastal battery points (left over from WWII) all of which have been covered in Graffiti. Continuing along the coast you come to Baker Beach, a slightly more pleasant stretch of sand with a fantastic view of the Golden Gate Bridge - well worth the effort… Then up what seems like an endless row of log steps to find the Legion of Honour… This is a traditional style museum of art with the old masters present along with furniture from French Royal Houses and until June and breathtakingly good set of papier mache interpretations of fashion through the ages (This truly did make the price of entry worth paying $15). Hwoever, bear in mind that this is a very popular destination and on many tour bus itinararies so expect crowds unless you’re here either earlier of later… Loved the sculptures and some of the paintings but completed entire museum in 2 hours…
Finally I take a walk to the Golden Gate Bridge viewing point… By now I have run out of steam having covered some 10 miles+ in the morning so once again opt for the bus option for another $2 to return to Union Sq and the Cheesecake Factory…
I head through the park to the windmills at the coastal edge of the park only to find one is being renovated (built from scratch is what I would call it) and the other is only accessible via the road… Still, enjoyed the hike.
The Pacific Beach is… hmm… whats the right word… ‘Shabby’ with a beach that is covered in rubbish, crows with the seagulls and a constant haze… Not a pleasant area at all with no facilities of any kind and several people just walking dogs on the beach or just hanging out - I can’t understand why I see a coach load of tourists turn up for photo’s… Really… I mean it is one of the worst beaches I have ever visited!!
Still, decide to hike north along the coastal path to the ‘Legion of Honor’ along the route I find several coastal battery points (left over from WWII) all of which have been covered in Graffiti. Continuing along the coast you come to Baker Beach, a slightly more pleasant stretch of sand with a fantastic view of the Golden Gate Bridge - well worth the effort… Then up what seems like an endless row of log steps to find the Legion of Honour… This is a traditional style museum of art with the old masters present along with furniture from French Royal Houses and until June and breathtakingly good set of papier mache interpretations of fashion through the ages (This truly did make the price of entry worth paying $15). Hwoever, bear in mind that this is a very popular destination and on many tour bus itinararies so expect crowds unless you’re here either earlier of later… Loved the sculptures and some of the paintings but completed entire museum in 2 hours…
Finally I take a walk to the Golden Gate Bridge viewing point… By now I have run out of steam having covered some 10 miles+ in the morning so once again opt for the bus option for another $2 to return to Union Sq and the Cheesecake Factory…
Back to San Francisco
Loading up with all of my gear means I look like a pack-mule but the journey is pain free with buses meeting up well from the 294 to the 110 to the ‘BART’ underground train… Total cost for the 25 mile trip $6.90c ;)
Ending at the Civic Centre stop it is a bit of a walk to reach the hostel in the ‘Little Saigon’ district on Ellis through what I can only describe as a ‘little less salubrious’ part of town… Lots of people hanging out on the streets and many homeless… Bit run down… Still Hostel staff are welcoming and it seems to have all the mod cons of the other hostels that I have stayed at including a wonderfully decorated lounge area bedecked with national flags from around the world… Well home for the next three nights…
Ending at the Civic Centre stop it is a bit of a walk to reach the hostel in the ‘Little Saigon’ district on Ellis through what I can only describe as a ‘little less salubrious’ part of town… Lots of people hanging out on the streets and many homeless… Bit run down… Still Hostel staff are welcoming and it seems to have all the mod cons of the other hostels that I have stayed at including a wonderfully decorated lounge area bedecked with national flags from around the world… Well home for the next three nights…
Wednesday 25 May 2011
Montara Lighthouse Hostel
Last image of Montara Lighthouse at sunset...
now to navigate public transport back to San francisco ;)
Tuesday 24 May 2011
The trail to Pacifica
images of the biggest cat i saw (not exactly a lion but... and views of the Pacific 'mill pond' :)
Last day in Montara Lighthouse YHI
Once again another week has practically flown by… Montara is a lovely destination if you have time to relax - the staff at the YHI here make you feel like a member of the family, whilst the dorms provide excellent accommodation meeting all your mod-con needs including FREE internet access and an excellent range of hot drinks :) I have really enjoyed my stay here and would recommend anyone in the area to look them up…
After a hearty breakfast of bran flakes and banana (along with the much needed coffee) I decide on one last hike (little chance of a proper one in San Fran or New York), this time across the nearby mountain trail back to Pacifica, this time along the old road route. It is a beautiful day with clear blue skies and only a very light breeze to keep you cool - so setting off I soon realise I have forgotten he sun cream again!! (Make sure that you have it as the sun here is stronger than you might think and you will get a little pink!). However, that said, the tramp was magical as I was completely on my own and on several occasions I found myself in close company with humming birds :) They were small (wee tad smaller than a wren) and dark in colour but when they sang they displayed a small red patch around their necks - unnerved it seems by my presence they sang from fragile perches, performed some acrobatic flying, hovered while drinking nectar from the wild flowers and buzzed past my head making a humming noise... No really… a HUMMING noise - hence humming bird ;) Fabulous. Well worth the walk. A fitting end to my stay in Montara and the cherry on the cake.
Heading back to the lighthouse after 3 hours of trekking I cook a pasta meal and watch the sun set into the Pacific Ocean behind the lighthouse. Perfect.
After a hearty breakfast of bran flakes and banana (along with the much needed coffee) I decide on one last hike (little chance of a proper one in San Fran or New York), this time across the nearby mountain trail back to Pacifica, this time along the old road route. It is a beautiful day with clear blue skies and only a very light breeze to keep you cool - so setting off I soon realise I have forgotten he sun cream again!! (Make sure that you have it as the sun here is stronger than you might think and you will get a little pink!). However, that said, the tramp was magical as I was completely on my own and on several occasions I found myself in close company with humming birds :) They were small (wee tad smaller than a wren) and dark in colour but when they sang they displayed a small red patch around their necks - unnerved it seems by my presence they sang from fragile perches, performed some acrobatic flying, hovered while drinking nectar from the wild flowers and buzzed past my head making a humming noise... No really… a HUMMING noise - hence humming bird ;) Fabulous. Well worth the walk. A fitting end to my stay in Montara and the cherry on the cake.
Heading back to the lighthouse after 3 hours of trekking I cook a pasta meal and watch the sun set into the Pacific Ocean behind the lighthouse. Perfect.
Saturday 21 May 2011
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