Yosemite Photo Tour April 30 and May 1 2014
May 03, 2014 at 1:07 AM
Yosemite Blog April 30th and May 1st, 2014 - San Francisco
We have just had two amazing days in San Francisco. Great sunsets, night photography and visiting the many interesting places and landmarks of the city, both iconic and historic.
The first full day in the city we took the ferry to Angel Island, which is located in the San Francisco Bay just behind Alcatraz Island. It is much bigger and is actually a California State Park. Angel Island was one home to an army base during the American Civil War and then an army and training base during the second world war. Angel Island was also an immigration processing facility similar to Ellis Island in New York. The landscape and photo opportunities from the island were great, we spent the morning on the island and lunch.
Later in the afternoon we transferred by ferry to Alcatraz Island and spent time photographing and touring the former prison, also know as the rock. One of the best things about touring Alcatraz is the self guided audio tour, which is presented by former prisoners and prison guards. There was also a former inmate in the book store doing a book signing on his story from his time spent on the rock.
The balance of our time in San Francisco was spent experiencing the various city districts and opportunities to experience riding the famous San Francisco Cable Cars.
This is our final post for the tour and I'm actually posting tonights blog as we fly from San Francisco to Detroit, gotta love modern technology and wifi at 30,000 feet. Enjoy the images from our two days in San Francisco and don't forget to mark May 25th on your calendar as that is the departure date for our photo tour to the Outer Hebrides in Scotland.
Thanks again for following along as we toured Yosemite and San Francisco.
This first image is from Lorie's diner, I thought B&W was perfect for this shot
A view of some of the buildings on Alcatraz as we sailed passed, traveling to Angel Island
An interesting view of the Golden Gate Bridge from the back side of Angel Island
San Francisco is a busy port, a big container ship with the Bay Bridge as a backdrop
Another view of Alcatraz
B&W of Alcatraz, this is the dock the prisoners would first land on the island
These students were on Angel Island as a school trip and re enactment, what a fun experience
This old wagon wheel was near the civil war barracks
Framed view of the Golden Gate Bridge from Angel Island
Alcatraz with San Francisco in the background, notice the hilly streets ...
One of the old Army utility buildings on Angel Island
This is the old immigration facilities, many immigrants spent far to long here
There are many beautiful flowers and trees on the island
The showers at Alcatraz, the first place incoming prisoners saw as the entered the facility
The cell of one of the prisoners that escaped by using a spoon to dig away at the cement and then climb to the roof through a utility access behind the cell block. The prisoners were never found. It was said they drowned in the cold bay waters or where eaten by sharks.
Michigan Avenue, the centre cell block at Alcatraz
This is all that is left of the town houses where the prison guards and their families lived, located just outside the prison walls on the island. The buildings were demolished for safety reasons.
The communications office, just as it was the day the prison closed
Spring in California, mating season even for the gulls, many birds live on Alcatraz
Welcome to the famous San Francisco District of Haight Ashbury, just like walking back in time
Some very interesting subjects in this district ...
Also many very interesting subjects to photograph
Some very colourful buildings
I bet if kids between the ages of 7 and 13 don't know what these are????
Lorna doing her part for the peace movement ...
Relaxing in one of many cafe's along Haight Street
Not sure if this guy knows what year it is??
It might even speak back ...
Relaxing in the morning sun near Alamo Park
Some of the beautifully painted homes in this distric
John capturing a shot near Alamo Park
The famous painted sisters with the city of San Francisco in the background
Only in San Francisco will you find a cat to ride as look out
Even newer built buildings take on an older times flavour, the VW works well in the pic too!
Lorna and Judy boarding the street car ...
Captain James Sparrow I presume?
Welcome to San Francisco Wharf
The famous seals of pier 39
One of the America Cup sailboats in the bay
Cable car coming down Powell Street with the afternoon sunshine
At the end of the line the cable cars get turned on this turn table
The cable car driver uses a clamp system to grip the cable to pull the car along
A view of Alcatraz earlier this week!
Looking down Powell Street as the cable car climbs the steep hill
Just as the car reaches the top of the hill at Lombard Street
Lombard Street, check your brakes!
Looking down Lombard Street towards the Bay Bridge
Great place for a pic with Alcatraz in the background
One last shot of Alcatraz from the top of Powell Street hill
At the sun sets over the Golden Gate Bridge and the Trekkers head for home ...
Thanks for following our Yosemite and San Francisco travel blog. It is always fun to share images and stories from our adventures. See you on the 25th of May for our next tour when we depart for the Outer Hebrides in Scotland.