San Francisco, California (May 17-May 21, 2011)

Alain and I were in San Francisco 25 years ago, in June 1986. We did not remember much about it. We have loved the city, it is magnificient and the view from the Golden Gate Bridge or on the Golden Gate Bridge are jaw dropping... We took the Caltrain and then the Bart to head downtown. It had been a long time we had not taken public transportation, and this was a nice break from driving in a busy city with the motorcycles. It allowed us also to see where we would park with the motorcycle the following day. We started by visiting the Rock, Alcatraz Island.

A few noteworthy facts about Alcatraz :

The last inmates left the island on March 21, 1963 and the prison officially closed a few months later.

On average about 260 inmates filled the jail.

In the 29 years that Alcatraz served as a federal penitentiary, 36 prisoners tried to escape the Rock. All but five were recaptured or otherwise accounted for.

The island is now a National Park and has become and ecological preserve. It has one of the largest western gull colonies on the northern California Coast.

Later on, we spent some time walking on Fisherman's wharf and although it is very touristic, it is very pleasant to be on the shores of the Pacific. Again, the weather is sunny, but chilly. Sea Lions are enjoying the sun on Pier 39 while the tourists take hundreds of pictures.

Chinatown in San Francisco spreads on 20 blocks and we could not help but eating Chinese in a small restaurant : roast duck and vegetables as well as pork chow mein.

While in San Francisco, we also tasted the famous Boudin sourdough bread and the chocolate with ice cream of Ghirardelli... We forgot to take the picture of the ice cream, but it was delicious, warm and melting down on our delicate palates...
We spend a day in the Golden Gate Park walking around, which is 20% larger than Central Park in New York. It is truly a beautiful park where the people of San Francisco jog, run, come here for a week-end BBQ. It's a walking day for us, of air and just happiness !

After four nights in a motel 6, close to San Francisco, it is Time to be On The Road Again...