Our room in the Chancellor hotel. Just off Union Sq.

The famous dragons guard the entrance to Chinatown

Jackie at the "Heart of San-Francisco"

Another shot of Jackie, my wife, at the "heart of San-Francisco"

From Union Square looking back at the impressive architecture

Hanging off the back of a tram on the way to the piers.

On the tram. Bay Bridge in the background.

It's just like the movies dude!

Steep but not a patch on Hope St in Glasgow

More steep hill craziness taken from the back of the tram.

Jackie at Hyde St Pier

Me at Hyde St pier

Entrance to the infamous "Fishermans Wharf"

Californian Sea-Lions at Pier 41

More Sea Lions at Pier 41

King of the Sea Lions. This dude was a bad tempered, smelly, noisy pest - my sort of guy!

The Sea Lions are protected by law - hence the numbers I guess

More Sea Lions with a good view of the city in the background.

The Golden Gate bridge

Alcatraz "The Rock"

Heading the jetty at Alcatraz a sign warns of dyer consequences if you try to help an inmate escape

"Welcome to the Rock!"

A first view of the grim buildings

The missus at the entrance.

Jackie at Alcatraz. The entire island is now a National Park.

Jackie taking a break halfway up the rather steep hill.

I loved the plants growing up the side of and rust on this old water tower.

There are also protected species of sea birds living on Alcatraz island

Starting to get a bit scary at this point.

Jackie posing at the entrance to what is now exhibition space

Jackie posing at the entrance to what is now exhibition space (closeup)

The view from Alcatraz across San-Francisco bay

The view from Alcatraz across San-Francisco bay

Looking from the prison gardens over to the Golden Gate bridge

At the back of the prison among the very pretty gardens

Strange plants abound on the Rock. Note water tower in background.

More of the gardens to the rear of the "Federal Penitentiary"

Looking out across the bay to the heart of the city.

San-Francisco beckons from afar. Always out of reach of the inmates.

"The long and winding road"

In the yard made famous by a multitude of movies

The stairs in the yard. Think woolie hats and reefer jackets.

Looking up outside the cell block

I like this one of the lighthouse.

Scary biscuits

The classic Alcatraz shot. The old ball and chain behind bars!

"I've had enough and I want outta here!"

Looking along inside the cell-block

"Broadway" - home of the scum of America

The dining hall (complete with tear gas canisters in the ceiling)

More cellblock

Lots of straight lines

Solitary confinement aka "The hole"

Inside the library looking out

I like the light from the skylight and the colours of the paint

Standard room for one