San Francisco

I think that San Francisco is a beautiful city. I had fantastic weather when I was there, with temperatures around 20 degrees - but it felt warm to me. I was in a t-shirt and still felt warm (others around me were in t-shirts too, it wasn't just me!). It feels like such an active city - so many people were out running, walking or cycling.

I stayed in the Marina district, within a few minutes walk of the Palace of Fine Arts (see below)... and some very fancy looking houses. I was also a short walk to the waterfront, which was nice (to be so close).

 The Palace of Fine Arts

 The Palace of Fine Arts

I got the first ferry over to Alcatraz Island on the Saturday, so I managed to see it before the crowds arrived. I definitely am glad that I did that. I was also fortunate to have fantastic weather that morning too - not low cloud, just sunny skies and pleasant temperatures. Sunday morning had low cloud that didn't lift for a while, so the visibility would have been limited that morning. It is an interesting place and I learnt a lot.

 On the ferry to Alcatraz Island - view of Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge in the background

 Guard tower - Alcatraz

 Old Warden living space

 View of the Golden Gate bridge from Alcatraz Island

Inside Alcatraz 

On Sunday morning I went for a run around the Marina area (as part of my training), which I loved. I had planned on running across the bridge (2.7km long), but I heard that it gets busy with walkers. So I just ran along the water front area instead. I don't mind that I didn't run along the bridge that morning, because it was a little cloudy. But when I went back out later, it was gorgeous - see the photos below.

 Golden Gate Bridge from the south side

Another view of the Golden Gate bridge from the south side