Alcatraz Island tour with the family.

From July 3 to July 7, my family visited sunny San Francisco, taking in SO many sights. I take a bazillion pictures during adventures, which makes it hard to condense an awesome vacation into one photo blog, but I tried. I'l vomit all the rest of the photos on Facebook (they aren't all blog worthy or needed here), so you'll have to make your way over there for the longer photo display.

Our adventures really started July 4. We got up early to head into the city via BART. Then, off to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. for lunch, downing all the icky seafood before our Alcatraz Island boat ride. (I don't share the same feels toward seafood as my family.)

The boat ride from the pier to Alcatraz Island is chilly and windy.

Skye eats a boat out in the bay.

We stood at the front of the boat as it headed toward Alcatraz.

At Alcatraz Island, we explored the whole island, from penitentiary audio tour to squawking, pooping wildlife. We explored for close to four hours.

During our tour, we saw a cell door demonstration.

Alcatraz has two new inmates.

The medical room upstairs looked creepy.

All around the island, birds sit close to the sidewalks with their young.

This lady counts the birds and their babies resting on the edge of the island.

The dilapidated buildings have new bird residents.

Then, we joined the masses converging onto Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf for the fireworks at 9:30 p.m. We perused shops of SF gear and indulged street performers. At 45 minutes until blast off, we staked a spot along the water, crossing our fingers the fog wouldn't block fireworks. At first light, these fireworks proved different than our D.C. view last year. They zoomed up and into the cloudy layer, illuminating the fog across the bay. The makers also built the show to contend with the coverage by spraying up low fireworks under the fog. It was a pretty light sight, from fog to water reflection.

We join the crowds at Fisherman's Wharf before the fireworks.

The fog rolled in, but the fireworks bursted low enough for vibrant color, but still spread the light through the fog.

The next day, Mom's little car had to get a tune up, so Skye and Jesse visited the aquarium while the rest of us saw the Filoli estate. Not far from where we live, the gardens are splendid and the house was stunning. Lots of people spend lots of time to keep the place so beautiful.

So many beautiful flowers in the Filoli gardens.

The library was grand, just like the rest of the home.

After the relaxing garden, we went back to the city, which involved lots of walking. Lots of uphill steps later, we visited the Cable Car Museum and Coit Tower. To get back to our BART station, we finally hopped aboard a cable car, something I was eagerly looking forward to. It was exactly what I imagined. I would put it on the top of your SF to-do list.

San Francisco comes into view on the way up to Coit Tower.

Coit Tower rises up from the San Francisco hills.

After waiting and waiting, we finally got to ride a cable car.

Red, white and blue riders.

Then, our last full day took up south to the Winchester Mystery House. Super weird place is putting it mildly. Doors to no where, seance rooms, little stairs — every turn, door and window led to an unexpected juncture.

For the special tour, we all got awesome hard hats.

Winchester Mystery House — where we got a picture of all of us.

The trip finished off with the sand and freezing water between our toes. At Half Moon Bay Beach, we raced waves back to the shore, played Frisbee and played in the sand. Cole and I suited up for the beach, but the rest maybe regretted that decision when they soaked their clothes in cold water.

The water was freeing, but that didn't stop them from having fun.

Even Dad got in on the wave races.

We finished off the trip with unlimited pizza and bowling, which showed the bowling prowess of me and my brother. All those years watching Mom bowl must have paid off.

The trip gave us so many memories. I'm so glad they came to visit our sunny summer home. THANKS FOR COMING!