Day 13 - San Francisco

Because we had a lovely balcony with a view of Alcatraz, we decided to get some breakfast from the cart downstairs and eat it on the balcony. We really enjoyed this and the muffins and pastries were really nice. There was an included tour this morning of San Francisco and although the local guide was clearly proud of her city, she gave too much information and the tour was not the best of the trip. We did travel to very good viewing points across San Francisco and we drove over the Golden Gate Bridge. There was an optional one hour bay cruise following this tour for $22 per person which we were not able to do as we had booked Alcatraz for 1.45pm (and you have to be there a half hour before this time). Geoff had told the people who had not already booked Alcatraz tickets to go on the 2.30 crossing in order for those interested to do the bay cruise. When we spoke to the people who did the cruise they said it was very good especially going under the Golden Gate Bridge. Alcatraz was the highlight of the holiday for me and the tickets are expected to sell out around two weeks in advance. We booked tickets on the internet from the official ticket site as soon as they were released so we were not disappointed. This was an amazing experience and very inexpensive. The boat trip to the island is included in the ticket price, as was the audio tour guiding you through the prison and it’s grounds. I could not recommend this experience enough (I have always been interested in Alcatraz and it‘s history). There was an optional farewell dinner for the last night and we decided that it would be a nice evening. It cost $65 and included a three-course meal with wine and a cocktail in a cocktail lounge. On booking the tour Geoff informed us that he could not secure the cocktail lounge and the meal would be followed with a night-cap. There was around half of the tour on this excursion and from internet research another group had gone to the Rainforest Café. We left at 7.00pm and because we couldn’t go to the cocktail lounge we were taken to the opposite side of the bay for a photo stop and it was just as the sun was setting. The colour of the sky was fantastic. From here we went back to Pier 39 for the meal at Neptune‘s Palace. Geoff went in first to confirm our arrival and called us in when they were ready. The meal was beautiful and the wine was plentiful. Our glasses were topped up regularly and at the end everyone ordered a drink of their choice. Because it was our honeymoon Geoff had bought us a card which the whole group had signed and he bought us a traditional Indian glass where the bride drinks from one side and the groom from the other. This was beautiful and we loved the gift and were overwhelmed with the thought that went into it. One member of the tour was elected to say a few words to show gratitude to Geoff and his hard work during the tour. It was then time to leave and eight of us went to find a bar. Although this excursion was $65 I felt it was okay value and was worth it for the company alone. Fisherman’s Wharf was not a lively place in the evening so the first bar we went in was closing at 11.00pm, we decided to go to Hooters. We only stayed for one drink before heading back to the hotel as we were travelling the next day.