Alcatraz

Turns out to be one of my favorite places we toured! On the boat ride over we got some historical background information.

• Known as "The Rock"
• Approximately 1 1/2 miles to the nearest shoreline
• In its 29 year period, there were 14 escape attempts made by 36 prisoners, all unsuccessful
• The most violent escapes led to what is known as the Battle of Alcatraz
• Average length of stay at Alcatraz was 9 years
• There were never any female guards or prisoners
• It is said that those who died at Alcatraz still haunt the place. Reports of men screaming, whistling, talking and cell doors closing are believed to have been heard. (We heard none of these! Except on the audio tape and it was supposed to be there!)

As we arrived, we were escorted up several inclines to the prison that was about a quarter of a mile uphill! Once there, we were given headphones and an audio device. You were then on your own to follow the audio tour. It was quite interesting because the audio was narrated by ex-prison guards and prisoners. They explained the prison rules, procedures, and schedules  as we went from cell blocks to rooms. Throughout the tour you could hear the background noises as if you were there in a working prison; phones ringing, cell doors slamming, sirens, and prisoners talking.  You really got a feel of what it was like to be there.

It was said if you broke the law you went to prison, and if you broke the law in prison you went to Alcatraz!

One of the most famous escapes from Alacatraz was by 3 inmates, two of whom were brothers.  It was a very complex plan that required the making of life like dummy heads they placed in their beds, a raft made of over 50 raincoats that were donated or stolen from other prisoners. It is believed the men probably perished in the waters between the prison and the shore. Their bodies were not recovered.

Presidio of San Francisco

The Presidio sits near the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. It has been there for over 200 years where it has been a military post for three nations. First established by the Spanish, it was then taken over by Mexican rule for 24 years before being taken over by the U.S. Army.

Interestingly the Presidio has at least 21 neighborhoods (we saw a few), each with architectural influence from each war period. As the guide said, "When does the Army have money to spend on housing? When there is a war and an influx of enrollment." So every time this happened the architecture reflected the popularity of the period.

In 1994, the post closed and it became part of the Golden Gate National Recreational Area.

The Exploratorium

The Exploratorium where adults can be kids again! It is a museum of science, art, and human perception.  Lots of interesting things to do and all hands on!

Beam me up Scotty!!

Palace of Fine Arts

The Palace of Fine Arts was beautiful! Unfortunately, I did not bring a jacket and it was miserably cold!

The Palace was first constructed to be used in the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition located in the Marina District! It was designed so there was a place to display certain arts! It is one of only a few structures that are still in existence from the Exposition. There is a miniature replica of it at Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim.

Inglenook Winery

Very beautiful country!!

Originally purchased by Gustav Niebaum, a sea captain, the vineyard was named Inglenook. He wanted to produce wines as great as those internationally. He even got clippings from famous overseas vineyards. His wine was a success! At the onset of prohibition, his nephew ran the business. Prohibition did not stop them. They were able to sell their grapes to the next door neighbor who created sacramental wines. The use of sacramental wines went up 140% during prohibition. Later Francis "Frank" Coppola purchased Inglenook under the name of Niebaum-Coppola, but was able to restore the name to Inglenook in 2011. 

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The vineyard is stunningly beautiful and houses a collection of illuminators on the second floor. There is also a 1949 Tucker, only 51 made in the world. Quite the car before its time!

Sonoma Plaza

This is where the California Republic took place, also known as the Bear Flag Revolt. A group of American settlers in 1846 decided to declare independence from Mexico! This revolt lasted 26 days, and then American soldiers arrived to occupy the place.

Muir Woods

What a beautiful forest! It is actually a rainforest. These coastal redwoods grow in a thin 500 mile strip of the Pacific Coast highway. They require from 300 to 500 gallons of water a day. In the non-rainy season, the trees rely on the fog and their roots to maintain this need.

They grow as tall as 380 feet, and the bark can be as thick as 12 inches at the base. This acts as a protectant from fire, disease, and bugs. The trees drop dormant seeds around itself in what is called the 'family circle'.  When the tree dies out for any reason, it is surrounded by the growing trees from these dormant seeds.