West Coast Tour Day 6 - San Francisco

Day 6 took us around San Francisco, and it quickly became one of my favourite cities in the US, maybe even the world!

First stop of the day: Stanford University. It was probably summer vacation; the campus was rather empty. Because our itinerary for the day was quite packed, we didn't stay long.

One thing people might notice about San Francisco is that buildings there are generally quite short; after the 1905 earthquake that almost flatten the whole place, building regulations prevent the construction of tall buildings.

Next stop for the day: Fisherman Wharf!

We signed up for a boat tour that would take us out into the bay!

We went past the Golden Gate Bridge!

Also, the (in)famous Alcatraz Island where the most hardcore federal prisoners were once locked up in.

The Wharf itself was full of atmosphere!

Next brief stop: Lombard Street, with the famous hairpin turns.

Another brief stop: Palace of Fine Arts.

Golden Gate Bridge! It was beautiful; too bad we didn't get a chance to cross it.

St Mary's Cathedral. 

The Seven Sisters, a row of seven Victorian style houses that apparently withstood earthquakes when other buildings around them collapsed.

Twin Peaks, one of two hilltops that overlook much of San Francisco.

And of course, how can I not take panorama shots there?

Ended the day with a visit to the San Francisco City Hall.

I enjoyed my time in San Francisco; I think the Fisherman Wharf won me over. It was by the bay, was full of life, people and music, definitely a place not found anywhere in Singapore.

West Coast Tour Day 6

West Coast Tour Day 5 - Solvang, Hearst Castle

Day 5 was actually just to travel from Los Angeles to San Francisco. Because it was a long journey and the bus drivers had to take breaks in between, rather than stopping at random bus stops by the side of highways, they slotted in two places of interest so we could have something to see while the drivers rested.

First stop was Solvang, a city with authentic Danish culture apparently.

Do they have colourful houses in Denmark too?

Ok fine it did feel 'Danish' enough. Authentic or not, I'm not sure.

Are windmills found in Denmark too?

During our journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco, the tour guide pointed out these bells that line the highway every couple hundred of metres or so. These bells mark the historic El Camino Real route.

Second stop of the day: The Hearst Castle, built by this super rich guy Hearst. Too much money if you ask me.

While it was free to enter the Visitor Center, we had to pay extra to enter the Castle itself, which is located at the top of a nearby hill and can only be reached by bus. We decided not to spend the money, and fortunately there is a little exhibition area for us to spend our time.

Our tour guide saved the day! He brought us to a nearby beach we saw hundreds(?) of seals lazing around on the beach, which he claimed other tour guides did not bring their tour participants to. Preferred this very windy beach to the Castle.

West Coast Tour Day 5