Venturing up the concrete paths and through the gate with a canon aimed at you we made our way up to the prison. The audio tour lead us through the cell blocks, recreation area, wardens house (now in ruins like many of the outer buildings) and other areas of the island. Surprisingly it included an apartment building for the guards and their families. The children would ride a ferry to the main land for school each day and then return to the island for the fantastic view of the city sky line.
We saw the small openings that the men carved using spoons in order to escape. The small cells are stacked three high and each isle had its own nickname such as Broadway.
After over three hours exploring the island we headed up Telegraph Hill to see the Coit Tower. One of the higher spots in San Francisco this tower is visible from around the city and the tower top resembles a fire hose nozzle.
Returning to Fisherman’s Wharf for lunch. Then walked up the to the top of Lombard Street as the line for the cable car was to long. We walked down Lombard Street which is said to be the crooked Street in the world with about 10 switch backs.
Catching another cable car up Mason Street to the cable car museum was far easier than walking despite having wait in line listening to a bucker singing and strumming a guitar.
The cable car museum was very informative of the history and workings of the whole operation. The museum is also where all four cables for the different trams are turned from, running at 9.5 miles an hour.
Hangin on the outside of the cable car we made our way back to our motel for tea and yet another pack up of the bags ready for tomorrows drive south.
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