In effect we had three full days here. We spent two days going around on an open-top hop-on hop-off tour bus. On the third day we took the ferry across to Sausalito

Monday 23 May

Bought 2-day tickets for red hop-on-hop-off tour bus. Got on the bus and then realised Anne had left her camera in the hotel. She had time to run back the two blocks and come back with the camera before the bus left. Went as far as Golden Gate Park. The route went through Haight/Ashbury district (remnants of hippydom) on the way to the park. Couldn’t find anywhere for coffee, so started walking. Ended up at Stow Lake where we got coffee (staff at other points know nothing except their own bit of the Park!). Walked round lake and onto island. Climbed to top of island where we photographed four fledgling horned owls.

Back down off island and back to boathouse cafe for apple juice and nut bar. Walked back through rose garden and sequoia wood to main area by museum, where we got back on the bus. Weather had been better than expected. Completely clear skies, and out of the wind we didn’t need jackets.

Went through the Presidio and then across the Golden Gate Bridge. We were on the open top of the bus and it was incredibly windy as we went across. Great views and very exciting. On the approach road we went through a tunnel, and Les said it was like being on Aerosmith at Disney. We got off the bus at northern viewpoint, and spent the time between buses taking pictures and admiring the view. Back on the bus we stayed on until we reached Hyde Pier. Very thirsty and hungry so we went in Jack’s in Del Monte Square. Shared a fish sandwich and chips and had a Sam Adams each. Walked back along the waterfront to Pier 39, and had a look around.

Back to the Tuscan just in time to get a glass of wine. Checked email, downloaded photos and rested until going out around 7.30. Walked back and ate at Nick’s just by the famous Fisherman’s Wharf sign. Excellent food - Anne had calamari salad - marinated not battered - and Les had linguini alfredo with crab. Les’s came with soup or salad to start and he chose soup. More Sam Adams - sad to see all the Brits ordering Budweiser! Coming out Les chatted to unfeasibly tall young black girl playing soprano sax with a small modern jazz combo. Her tone sounded just like Jan Garbarek, but she’d never heard of him. Back to the hotel and asleep by 9.30

Tuesday 24 May

Up around 7.30 after a bit of a restless night. Breakfast and then checked emails etc and eventually went out around 9.30. Took the hop-on tour bus as far as Union Square. Looked around the stalls (art) in the square and then Les’s watch fell off! Mark had tried to mend it, but he warned it might not last.

Looked around Macy's for a new watch for Les, but all too ‘designer’. Had coffee and then walked down past the cable car turnaround into the new Westfield shopping centre on Union Street. Very smart. Went into Nordstrom to look for Crocs and Holly’s Ugg boots, but no luck with either.

Walked along Union until we reached the United Nations Plaza which leads up to City Hall. All covered with preparations for Memorial Day next Monday. Were able to go into City Hall and just wander around at will. Fantastically grand building with a dome, sweeping staircase etc. Saw at least five weddings, which just seem to take place on the first floor balconies around the main entrance hall.

City Hall cafe was closed for works, and the temporary one closed because of the Memorial Day  preparations.  One of the staff told us to try the cafe in the basement of the Court building opposite. It was great and we had a really cheap lunch of freshly made rolls and lemon juice. The lady who served us stopped us as we were leaving and was fascinated by the fact that we’d visited City Hall. She said she loved England but hadn’t visited for 8 years, but had watched the whole of the Royal Wedding. The USA by the way seems set on referring to the Duchess of Cambridge as ‘Princess Katherine’.

We walked to the next pick-up for the bus and rode the whole route back to start/finish by our hotel. A nice rest after lots of walking. We saw a trolley [tram] coming, so we jumped on it down to the Ferry Terminal. The conductor said $2 each and no change, so we had to pay $5. We found out later that Anne should only have paid 75c as a senior. Walked around the terminal building looking at all the food shops etc. Had a sorbet each in lieu of a drink, but later bought some freshly squeezed lemon.

Got the details of the ferries for Sausalito tomorrow. Anne goes about half price again. Have now worked out the bus/tram ticket system. Your flat fare covers you for all journeys for 90 minutes from when you first get on. You can also buy a card which you pre-load. This one was very crowded and a young lady gave up her seat for Anne, who was too surprised to realise what was happening. She was mortified that someone should consider her ‘elderly’.

Went into Safeway when we got off the tram and bought some sellotape to clean Anne’s trousers of the fluff from her white jacket. Her new trousers seem to be made of velcro in the way they attract fluff from everything. We also shared a beer that we’d bought, so no need to go to the free wine session in the lobby. The Weather Channel is full of the tornadoes, which are on an unprecedented scale. The town of Joplin, Missouri, has been virtually destroyed, with 120 people killed.

After a short rest and catching up with emails, etc walked back to Fisherman’s Wharf. This time we ate at the Fishermen’s Grotto. This is three doors along from Nick’s Lighthouse where we ate last night. A lot more upmarket. Very smart and a vast upstairs seating area with lovely views over the bay and the waterfront. Waiters in DJs etc. Prices accordingly higher but none the less an extremely nice meal and a main course each was all we could eat. Anne had orange roughy and Les had Pacific salmon with chips made from sweet potatoes, and a mango salsa. A nice relaxed meal and then a slow stroll back to hotel.

Wednesday 25 May

Up, dressed and down to breakfast quite early. Spent breakfast chatting to young couple from Birmingham who’d arrived last night.

Forecast was rain up until lunchtime, but it hadn’t started so we walked to F-line stop. Rain started as we got there, but there was a shelter, so we didn’t get too wet, and it was only light drizzle. Got to the Ferry terminal and bought our tickets for Sausalito. The ferry was there and we only waited a few minutes before they let us on. There was hardly anybody on the boat, and we were virtually on our own in the main lounge. The boat was very comfortable with armchair type seats facing each other across tables. Lots of power sockets for plugging in your laptop etc. Settled down with a coffee.

Trip was very smooth. Saw lots of birds - cormorants and grebe. Les saw a dolphin while Anne was in the restrooms. The rain increased steadily, and by the time we arrived it was quite heavy. We looked around the shops, trying to shelter under the canopies where we could. Les bought a $20 watch. The shops are very much for the tourists. Art galleries, jewellery etc etc. Not many really local places. Also looks as though they’re suffering from the recession. Buildings were very nice, with the usual San Francisco mix. By the time we’d seen all the shops etc we were quite damp, so we headed back to an Italian restaurant that we’d seen. What a good choice. It was very smart, but in fact wasn’t any more expensive than the Fisherman’s Wharf ones, especially considering Les had a dessert and we both had coffee. Anne had her ideal fried eggs on asparagus. Les had roast chicken on roasted veg and leaves.

By the time we came out it had stopped raining, but as we’d been through most of the town centre we just walked back to the one section we hadn’t seen, and then got onto the return ferry. Another smooth trip back, with the added benefit of having a tour group sat in the lounge with us. This meant we got the commentary from their nice lady guide, and learned some interesting bits. We might have done better to go somewhere else in the morning and visit Sausalito in the afternoon, but then we might not have been up to walking the whole town.

Came back to the hotel via the F-line, and went to the shopping centre to post our first cards. Back to room. Thought we’d have a rest, and that was when Les found he couldn’t unclip the wristband on his new watch. Eventually did it with the aid of a tool from the Swiss Card (that was a good buy many years ago!). Must remember not to put the watch on tomorrow morning, as Les will never get it off to go through airport security.  After a rest we did the on-line check-in for tomorrow’s flight. Started some packing.

Suddenly realised it was nearly 8pm. Walked across to Safeway and had a sandwich made up for each of us. Bewildering choice of bread and fillings. Shared a large (pint?) bottle of Stella. Hope we can do this often as we start our tour. Listened to The News Quiz podcast while we ate. Should be able to keep on downloading and listening as we travel if we’re lucky.

Thursday 26 May

Tracey’s birthday today and Tracey & Rick’s anniversary. Up just before 7am and down to breakfast quite early. Spoke to the people we chatted with over breakfast yesterday. They too had got very wet but had done the hop-on/hop-off bus trip as we’d recommended.

After breakfast finished packing - why is it always more difficult to repack even when you haven’t bought anything! Walked to shopping centre - Les wanted some sports socks - got them in Walgreens. Noticed dry cleaners which also did service wash laundry - too late now! Took photo of Tuscan Inn. Went into World Market just to look round - very smart - full of outdoor/indoor goodies, furniture, gourmet foods and wine.

Back to hotel, checked out, got coffee to go from restaurant and sat in reception area. Got talking to some Americans who had just returned from a trip to China and were on way home to Florida. Very nice and passed a pleasant 15 mins before we had to leave.

Limo to Oakland Airport - over Bay Bridge - arrived 11.30am. Checked in, through security and bought early lunch at Silver Dragon Chinese cafe - very nice. Now sitting at gate, having Skyped Tracey - internet very slow so turned off video and just talked.