We decided to stay at the Hilton on Fisherman's Wharf. The location was excellent. Our first night - Christmas night - we headed out to find food. We went to Chinatown since that was the only place that was open. We headed out and up. It was uphill the entire way. In some cases, the hills were 45 degree angles. My calves were screaming in pain, my lungs were bursting and we hadn't even really gone up that far. On our way up we saw some really pretty things.
Coit Tower.
Sts Peter & Paul Church.
We decided to take a city tour. First stop was Golden Gate Bridge. It was so foggy that you couldn't even see the bridge.
Here you can see the railing just disappear into the fog.
We walked across the bridge and back. They have these signs posted everywhere in case you are having second thoughts about jumping.
More Fog. That's actually in the guide book as one of the 'sights'.
Back on the bus we went by the famous corner - Haight-Ashbury - where all the 60's flower children hung out.
I don't know what store this was - looks like a head shop - but I like their advertising gimmick. I'd go in just because I thought it was funny.
The Victorian homes are gorgeous. They are landmarks and you can't change the face but apparently you can paint them any crazy color you want.
These 6 houses are called the 'Painted Ladies'. Why? I don't know but what a great view of San Francisco. The house at the far left was for sale for $5M and was recently reduced to $2.5M. It's a hard sell because tour buses go by every day several times a day. Some rude tourists will actually knock on the door and ask if they can tour the house.
The courthouse.
Embarcadero. The Christmas/Hanukkah display.
The gates to Chinatown.
The lampshades in Chinatown are all shaped like lanterns.
Pelican Island aka Alcatraz.
We took a night tour of Alcatraz. This is a shot of the San Francisco skyline from the island.
The Bay Bridge at night.
The dock - where the tour starts. The prisoners would be led up this hill into the 'big house'.
Once the prison was closed, several Indian tribes took over the island.
The shower room. Prisoners were only allowed to shower twice a week unless they had a job that required them to shower more often.
D Block - this is portion of the prison was sealed off from the main cell house. It was for the trouble makers.
The doors on the bottom row were for solitary confinement or 'the hole'. The cells were a little bigger but once the outer door was closed there was no light in the cell. All the prisoners in D Block had their meals brought to them. They weren't allowed out of their cells at all.
A view from inside one of the solitary confinement cells. Creepy.
John inside the hole.
The Battle of Alcatraz. Several prisoners were able to take over the cell house in an attempt to escape. Bernie Coy figured out a way to spread the bars in the gun gallery far enough apart for him to slide through.
Coy overtook the guard when he came back from his rounds. Coy took the guns and the keys. They needed key #107 to open the door to the yard where the escapees could then make their way to the dock and commandeer the ferry that ran to San Francisco. They had planned on using guards as hostages.
Unfortunately, the key Coy needed wasn't on the key ring. One of the guards happened to have it in his pocket (which was against regulations). The escapees captured several guards and actually had control of the cell house for two days. The prisoners were finally killed in a gun battle and the guards took control.
The lighthouse.
The movie, Escape from Alcatraz, is about two brothers and a guy named Frank Moss and how they escaped by widening the vent (in the bottom corner of the picture). They made fake figures of themselves to fool the guards. The heads were made of some thing and the prisoners used hair clippings from the barbershop. It really looks like someone is lying there. Ick!
The stairway that leads up to the infirmary. Normally, the infirmary is closed to visitors but as part of the night tour, we were allowed to go up.
That's the door to the dining hall. In addition to the door there is also a set of bars. Alcatraz at night was definitely eerie. This place is fascinating. 
The aquarium on Pier 39.
The Christmas tree at Pier 39.
The trolley car. There was usually a huge line to ride the trolley cars. Plus they were kind of expensive for what you got. We either took a cab or walked.
Another round on the city tour (we bought a two day pass). This is the single men's barracks on the Presidio. It now houses a Disney museum. The Presidio was one of the military bases that was closed back in the '90's. The city bought it and now leases the buildings out. Since the entire base is a landmark, the tenants can't make any changes to the outside and they can only lease the space. George Lucas has space out here as well.
Today, the fog has lifted and the bridge is beautiful. I could sit and stare at this thing all day.
John in front of Golden Gate Bridge.
John in front of Coit Tower - built by Lillie Hitchcock Coit. It's supposed to represent a fire hose. Coit Tower is at the top of Telegraph Hill. We looked but didn't see the parrots. I'd like to say we walked up here but we didn't. We took a cab.
View of the Bay Bridge from the top of Coit Tower. We went up to the top...in an elevator. Unfortunately, the stairs were not available. Darn!
Alcatraz Island - from the top of Coit Tower.
Golden Gate Bridge.
A ship that is moored at Hyde Pier.
Ghiradelli Square. We were going to go in but we couldn't find the entrance. It's just as well. I didn't need any more chocolate.
This fountain was the only place for the San Fransicoans to get fresh water after the big earthquake at the turn of the century - the 20th century.
Ah - Tadich Grill. This place has been around forever. We went for a late lunch and it was so crowded that we had to wait about 30 minutes. Well worth it. John had lobster thermadore that was delicious.
City Lights is one of the few remaining independent bookstores. It smells like a musty old attic full of books. I wish we could have spent more time there just soaking up the ambiance.
Sts. Peter & Paul Church.
Transamerica Tower.
Coit Tower.
Lombard Street. The crookedest street in the world. You can see all the cars trying to maneuver the hairpin S-curves.It was a short trip but very enjoyable. We ate, we drank and we toured. Does it get any better than that? OH! One thing. Do NOT eat the hot dogs at Pier 39. Trust me....
