San Francisco Day 4: Alcatraz and Fisherman's Dwarf

Our only full day together coincided with Winnie's birthday!  Our day also included a variety of transportation options starting off with a streetcar ride down to the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market for some fruit, breakfast, and for me, strong french pressed coffee at the Blue Bottle Coffee Company.  From the farmer's market, we walked down to Pier 33 for a ferry ride out to Alcatraz Island, aka "The Rock". 

On Alcatraz, we explored the island grounds and cellhouse learning that this was once the site of a civil war fort, a military prison and one of the most notorious federal penitentiaries in US history.  Our self-guided tour included an audio presentation "Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour," featuring actual correctional officers and prisoners who lived and worked on the Island; an orientation video by Discovery Channel; and a walk-thru of the historic gardens.

After we spent a good portion of the morning and early afternoon on the island, we ventured towards Fisherman's Wharf for lunch at the Boudin Sourdough (a San Francisco specialty) and shopping.  We managed to get out of there without letting Carolyn spend too much time buying up touristy gifts; however, we did have some chocolate to eat over at Ghiradelli Square.

Inside the Ghiradelli Chocolate and Ice Cream Shop, we received a free sample of Peanut Butter Chocolate, but I was disappointed to find that they don't actually make the chocolate at this location anymore.  Most people didn't seem to mind though as they were buying up the chocolates like hot cakes!

We were in for quite the treat on the way home as we waited (quite a long time) to take a San Francisco Cable Car ride home.  Winnie and I hung from the outside as we experienced how they did it back in the day.  We could see why they needed these cars with the hills in this city!  For dinner, we ate over at Annabelle's Bar & Bistro with a failed attempt after to get a panoramic view of the city from atop the Nob Hill Hotel, the Fairmont.


More pictures from our day in my Picasa album.