San Francisco - Scott McKenzie and .. "Flowers In Your Hair"

San Francisco is, after New York, the second most densely populated city in the US.
Some of its icons relate to getting around and through the city ... cable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, the Bart and Muni. We travel them all in the 7 days we spend in San Francisco with the kids.

We have visited this city many times. We love it!
We want  Kim, Mace and Finlay to love it too.

I remember well the first time we drove across the Golden Gate bridge - in peak hour traffic - on our first visit to the US. We have also walked, run and biked across this stunning bridge.
The Golden Gate bridge opened in 1937. It is the world's third largest single-span bridge and, when it was built it was the world's longest and tallest suspension structure. It spans the Golden Gate, that part of  San Francisco Bay which opens into the Pacific Ocean. It is a truly beautiful sight.

Although the day we drive over the Golden Gate bridge is foggy and misty with light rain, the first glimpse of the bridge brings forth many exclamations from the kids.

We stop at both ends to get the best views possible; we are several of many, many visitors, all enjoying just being there.

The San Francisco - Oakland Bay Bridge ( Bay Bridge) connects the eastern side of San Francisco with the western side of the city of Oakland. It carries I-80 on its 2 decks; 5 westbound lanes on its upper level, and 5 eastbound lanes on its lower level. The 2 halves of the bridge are connected by the Yerba Buena Tunnel  on Yerba Buena Island.

On 5 March 2013 a public art installation called 'The Bay Lights' was activated on the western span's vertical cables. The installation consists of 25,000 LED lights with an estimated operating cost of only $15.00 a night!

We cross the Bay Bridge on our way to and from the Napa Valley, returning during peak hour traffic!!

Faith waiting for the next train?

The BART - Bay Area Rapid Transport - is a commuter subway connecting San Francisco with suburbs and cities in the area. As with subway systems in most large cities, tickets are purchased on your way in to the station and you then go underground to wait for the next train.

Faith the unicorn, came to most places including travelling on the BART.
We had 3 days in San Francisco without a  car. We used the BART to take us into San Francisco. It was fun and a great way to get around. The RV park was only about a 5-10 minute walk from the nearest BART station.

Once in town, the cable car was the next preferred way to travel.

Kim, Mace and Finlay bought City Passes which gave them unlimited travel on the cable car and Muni for 7 days, a trip to and tour of Alcatraz, a visit to the Aquarium and the California Academy of Sciences. They also visit the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park.

The crookedest street in the world!

One part of town we know well from our first few visits is Lombard Street. Mel's Diner and the Crookedest Street in the World warrant a visit.


Finlay turned 13 recently. We had a
surprise belated Birthday dinner at The Olive Garden restaurant - with cake!!

Mace and Trevor go to a baseball game - the SF Giants play the St. Louis Cardinals. The Giants lost! Mace bought a Giants cap.

Kim, Finlay and I went into the city and then to Fishermans Wharf. We had fun too - probably a bit more expensive than the boys!!

At Point Lobos.

She was 13!

By the end of the first weekend the kids have settled in and recovered from their travels.

Mace is enjoying the RV.  He has a bed set up 'on the floor' each night. It's a bit hard finding an RV with a bed for a 6ft 8in tall guy.  He is on an air bed. He has his own TV and gets a cup of tea in bed in the mornings!! It is great to be able to fuss ...!