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After a slow start and a stop for breakfast, we headed to Fisherman's Wharf. We had a look around at the very touristy shops on Pier 39 and were in the main fairly unimpressed. There were little signs every now and then that described the history of Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, which were much better than shops full of cheesy souvenirs. We also stopped to check out the sea lions basking in the sun next to the wharf. The sea lions started to hang out at the wharf in 1989 and their numbers have been increasing ever since. We than grabbed a quick bite for lunch and headed to catch a boat to Alcatraz Island.
The Rock is obviously full of history and it is quite eerie in places. You are able to take a self-guided tour of the cell block with a head set that guides you around and tells the stories and history of the prison. The narrator/guide is a former prison guard and you hear stories from other former guards and prisoners. It is a really great experience that gives you some idea of what life would have been like on Alcatraz. It is amazing that up to 70 families lived on the island when the prison was at its prime.
After the boat trip back to the mainland, we headed back to Berkeley and had some yummy Thai for dinner. Back at the hotel, we got some amazing views of the bay, the city and Golden Gate Bridge at sunset and then after dark.
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