Part 2: Muir Woods, Alcatraz, Painted Ladies
We only spent 4 days in San Francisco and knew we needed to make the most of our time. We had specific items on our San Francisco bucket list – Redwoods, Fancy Dining, and Family – then filled in from there.
Muir Woods
Muir Woods was high on our list. We knew we wanted to get hikes in and see ancient trees. We also knew we would be visiting multiple National Parks this year so we started planning from Muir Woods by visiting the National Parks website and purchasing a parks pass. The website was very informative and alerted us to reserve a parking spot. This was a game changer! We purchased the $5 parking reservation and the $90 park pass and felt good about our trip to the woods. On our route to the park we saw signs warning people that parking reservations were required and parking was sold out! We had no problems though since we prepared a head of time. The park setting this reservation requirement made our trip so much more enjoyable because we unknowingly planned our visit for Earth Day! A free park day! But the crowds were low and the experience was still great.
The first walk into the park is through the forest floor where you meet the oldest trees in the park. On this walk you can read the history and facts about these magnificent trees. The walk was peaceful and quiet. After we reached the middle of the walk we decided to take a bridge to a more rigorous hiking trail. We took Bridge 4 to the Ben Johnson Trail then looped back on the Dipsea Trail. This trail proved to be a little difficult with steep inclines and moist ground. We took our time and tried to enjoy our surroundings while catching our breath! The trail opened up to a field that allowed us to see all the way into the bay and we could even see Alcatraz in the distance! The last part of the trail was mostly downhill which was a needed break for our tiring legs.
Alcatraz
A highly recommended site to see is Alcatraz and it did not disappoint. We opted for an evening tour and really enjoyed it. We ate dinner at the Alcatraz port cafe (only because we napped prior and ran out of time for a restaurant) and it was surprisingly delicious! The process to board was organized and the boat was very spacious. Everyone was able to get a seat for the ride to the island. The captain and staff were very helpful and funny which made the ride even more enjoyable. We were told historical information, fun escape stories, and enjoyed a stunning sunset view of the Golden Gate bridge as we approached Alcatraz.
Once we reached the island, the staff separated us into smaller groups so we could enjoy the tour at a slower and more intimate pace. We received a complimentary audio tour as well that proved to be very entertaining as it was narrated by past prisoners, guards, and wardens. We moved at our own pace, were able to take lots of photos, and discuss our findings.
The evening tour offered some special benefits – longer time to tour the facility, special evening storytelling and shows, access to Cell Block A, and a cell block door demonstration. We took the last ferry back at 9 PM and found ourselves exhausted.
The Painted Ladies
The Painted Ladies are a row of homes in San Francisco that are known for their beautiful painted colors and also for being featured in the Full House opening sequence (the background of the family picnic). This was a neat place to stop into and felt very “San Francisco.” There were a lot of people there to take photos of themselves in front of the homes so be prepared. There was also a nice coffee truck and walk around the park if you go opposite of the Painted Ladies. Very interesting architecture and a beautifully manicured park. Worth the stop.
The Cozy Travelers 