Feb
2013
A Wknd in Jail
Who smiles for their mug shots?? Me, of course.
I spent Sunday in jail 
It was a blast.
Haha. We were on a private tour of Alcatraz! Jared’s parents were visiting and we had a fun-filled, jam-packed San Francisco wknd! I’m still exhausted and recovering from it, hence why I haven’t blogged in a few days.
Before I get to the tour of Alacatraz (umm, we went in the Alcatraz morgue- gross!!), I’ll back up a litte.
On Saturday, we went to a farmer’s market, drove across the bridge to Marin, had lunch, walked around, hung out in a few neighborhoods, had dinner in North Beach, went for drinks at the spot Jared and I met, etc. We lucked out on a beautiful weather weekend (sorry east coasters, but it was in the high 60s here!).
Sunday started with a muffin (from the Farmer’s Market on Saturday), green smoothie (they’re back in my life!!) and several cups of coffee. Such a tasty breakfast.
my new favorite farmer’s market stand 
but i should probably stick to the veggies
In the morning, we visited our wedding venue (it was beautiful and made us both so much more excited about the day!) and then drove over the bridge to a winery that was having an event for my dog toy charity!
We sipped wine and hung out.
collect lots of toys, please
wine at noon….YES
Arrived at Pier 39 around 1pm for lunch and hanging out with the seals.
and coffee, of course
Around 3:30, we met my parents for our Alcatraz tour! My dad is a big history buff and started volunteering at Alcatraz a few times a month. He loves showing people around. I’ve been to Alcatraz more times than I can count, but this was the first time I’ve been there since he started volunteering. He gave us a private behind-the-scenes tour! It was seriously awesome.
To get to the Rock, you have to take a 25 minute Ferry ride. The Ferry has beautiful views of the City and is a fun way to hang out on the Bay.
my mom and sis on the boat
The Rock!
Because my dad volunteers, he picked up keys to pretty much everywhere and took all all around on a behind-the-scenes tour.
inside the cell block
Among the highlights: we went inside the morgue (it was gross and creeped me out!), toured the hospital (also creepy…and old xray and surgery tables were still there), went upstairs in the cellblock and got to see the bullet holes from the big day when the prisoners overtook the island for a brief while…
so tiny and depressing, right? Enough to make you not want to do anythign to make you go to jail!
And the best part– we went up into the lighthouse!
This was very special because almost no one is allowed to do this.
see how tall? not good for fear of heights
First, we walked up hundreds of steps….
Stairs. Lots and lots and lots of stairs!
hi amy!
Until we reached the top.
I don’t like heights very much, so I was totally scared. The view, however was absolutely beautiful and we were there right at sunset.
A lot of Alcatraz is falling apart and they don’t keep it up very well so I was totally afraid that we were all going to fall off the lighthouse.
Since I don’t like heights, I was hanging on to the railing outside at the top….and the Park Ranger who was with us goes, “Whatever you do, DO NOT hold the railing!”
That really freaked me out because there was nothing else to hang onto! It was windy. haha.
ahhh, jared is holding onto the railing!! freaked out we were all going to be blown off the top byt he wind
I was happy when we got to go back down, but it was still an incredible experience.
Afterwards, we toured the grounds and went into the outside field area. Fun trivia fact…Alcatraz is the only jail to have only hot water…they didn’t want the prioners to get used to cold water (and try to swim ashore).
the group
We went into Al Capone’s cell. I’m sitting on the little chair he must have sat on every single day he was there!
Alcatraz is pretty depressing and sad to me…..but I love history and it’s interesting to visit.
After we got back from the boat, we all went over to Boudin for dinner. I ordered shrimp. YUM. And we shared a few sourdough apps.
And then….Jared, his parents, and I ended the day with the ultimate San Francisco indulgence….a Ghiradelli Sundae!
yummmmmm. oh happy day.
I face planted into bed only a short time later.
It’s so fun to have visitors in town and play tour guide! Only bummer about the weekend is that we kept Charlie at my parents’ so no puppy time this wknd. Sorry, Charlie.
– Have you ever been to SF? What sites did you visit?
— Where do you always take people who visit you?
– Are you afraid of heights? What are you afraid of?
– Are you a history buff? Do you like going to see historical sites or museums?
Maria
February 12, 2013 at 2:05 pm (96 days ago)I have to admit (and apologize), but I’m not a SF person at all (or any big city for that matter!), but my absolute favorite thing to do in the City is this tour! I beg friends and family to visit us here so I have an excuse to tour it again
I was just completely mesmerized. History dork here 
How cool that you got the behind the scenes tour – though I don’t think you could pay me to go up that lighthouse. I just got a little scared looking at your photos!
Rebecca
February 13, 2013 at 9:57 am (95 days ago)Haha, I love that you like to go on the tour! And never again for me with that lighthouse…..I still get freaked out by it a little
Life After Swimming
February 12, 2013 at 4:15 pm (96 days ago)Holy cow! That looks absolutely awesome! I think if I ever make it back to Cali, I would love to go to Alcatraz!
Alex @ therunwithin
February 12, 2013 at 4:41 pm (96 days ago)I love being able to sight see and walk around while doing it. I want to go there so bad!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
February 12, 2013 at 6:51 pm (95 days ago)I’ve always wanted to see Alcatraz, and those pictures are amazing. And I say yes to wine at noon.
helennaturally
February 12, 2013 at 7:01 pm (95 days ago)Such a fun weekend!! I have always wanted to visit your lovely city. I need to make it out that way in a couple years for sure
Rebecca
February 13, 2013 at 9:56 am (95 days ago)yes, come visit!!
Runner Girl Eats
February 12, 2013 at 7:16 pm (95 days ago)I am a total history buff and would love to go to Alcatraz. So cool you got a private tour! I love having visitors in town. It gives me a fun reason to do silly touristy things
Rebecca
February 13, 2013 at 9:56 am (95 days ago)I like it too for just that reason
Cinnamon
February 12, 2013 at 8:29 pm (95 days ago)Soooo fun!! When we were there for our very short time we went to Pier 39 and Boudins and Ghiradelli!! Loved all of it so much. What a fun weekend.
Jodea @ chillichocolatelove.com
February 12, 2013 at 10:45 pm (95 days ago)I went to SF a couple of years ago on my mini world tour and did the night tour at Alcatraz. It was great! I wasn’t in town long but really enjoyed just hanging out. I stayed at a hostel right by the water with a great view of the bridge… And it was sunny the whole time! I also made the trip to Yosemite. Amazing.
When I take friends to visit my family in Greece, a trip to the Acropolis is obligatory! We’re off again in May! Here in England the town I grew up is very pretty and I always fit in a trip to the beach.
Rebecca
February 13, 2013 at 9:55 am (95 days ago)I would LOVE to visit Greece!
Natalie @ Free Range Human
February 13, 2013 at 6:33 am (95 days ago)I am such a huge history buff, and this seems like so much fun! I’m always kind of in awe when I visit historical places that I’ve spent my whole life reading about. It’s crazy to think about the historical figures that were there before me!
Rebecca
February 13, 2013 at 9:54 am (95 days ago)me too- i love all the historical sites on vacation
Jessica @ Fit Talker
February 13, 2013 at 8:01 am (95 days ago)I have a thing for prisons (odd, I know) and Alcatraz was what got it all started. I LOVE it!
I really need to get back to San Fran as it’s been many years.
I’m not afraid of heights but if someone told me not to hold the railing, that probably would have scared me too!
I don’t get many out of town visitors in CT
Rebecca
February 13, 2013 at 9:55 am (95 days ago)my dad has a thing for prisons too, lol
Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog
February 13, 2013 at 8:04 am (95 days ago)You’re making me want to visit San Francisco! I’ve never been, but everything looks like so much fun.
Rebecca
February 13, 2013 at 9:54 am (95 days ago)you have to come!!! I’ll meet you at ghiradelli for a sundae
Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog
February 14, 2013 at 6:20 am (94 days ago)Yum! How do you turn down Ghiradelli?!?
Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie
February 13, 2013 at 8:20 am (95 days ago)I loved Alcatraz! I went when I was really little and my sister and I used to have a game where we would “escape” from Alcatraz — basically just running around the house. I when mentioned it in my maid of honor toast for her wedding!
Rebecca
February 13, 2013 at 9:54 am (95 days ago)that sounds like something my sis and i would play when we were little- so cute!
Apples and Arteries
February 13, 2013 at 9:50 am (95 days ago)Very cool that you got the private tour. I got goose-bumps reading this post. Also really interesting about the hot/cold H20!
Rebecca
February 13, 2013 at 9:53 am (95 days ago)i know….i thought the hot/cold water thing was so interesting too!
Jorie
February 13, 2013 at 10:36 am (95 days ago)So neat, Rebecca! I have never done Alcatraz but I love history so I think I’d like it. How cool that your dad can sneak you into the behind-the-scenes stuff! Amazing. Did the park ranger not want you to hang onto the railing because he thought it might break?! That’s pretty scary. Ha.
Anna Smith-James (@AnnaTheApple88)
February 13, 2013 at 2:03 pm (95 days ago)Ahh amazing! I went to San Fransico a few years ago with Ben and my parents. It’s where we bought my engagement ring from before Ben proposed so I have fond memories of it. We didn’t go to Alcatraz as things like that really freak me out, but we had many lovely walks around the city and we went to Muir Wood as well which was just magnificent.