You know, if the beans could have a view like this every single morning, they may consider paying a million dollars for a two-bedroom rambler, too! Welcome again to beautiful San Francisco bay, and this killer view of the Golden Gate bridge. Built in 1935 and completed in 1938, it was for many years the longest bridge in the world, including the longest suspension bridge, spanning 1.7 miles from end to end. By the way, the name of the bridge comes from the name of the opening from the Pacific Ocean into San Francisco Bay. This "gateway" is lined with rugged rocks that look golden at sunset, thus the name "The Golden Gate". Cool how that works out, huh?

Just because I like this view so much, I've included a second shot. Enjoy it while you can, before the fog rolls in! Now, next to being the symbol of the bay area, the Golden Gate bridge also has a distinction of being a favorite of tourists and manic depressives alike. In fact, more people off themselves by jumping from this bridge than any other bridge on record. not too long ago, without much fanfare (as you can well imagine), the 1000th person jumped from the Golden Gate. The beans would rather you come down off there, have a nice bowl of frijoles, and enjoy the sunset, if it were all the same...

Okay, back to Earth.... Here, the beans visit San Francisco's famous Fisherman's Wharf, where steaming hot clam chowder served with fresh sourdough bread awaits those who visit Pier 39 and the dozens of shops down here. Mmmm, Mmmm... Top it off with some Ghirardelli chocolate, and you can't get much better than that, now can you?

Just across the bay you'll find Alcatraz Island, infamous as a prison for so many years. Nowadays, "The Rock" is a movie site and tourist attraction, and the source of dozens of cheap souvenirs ranging from prison striped t-shirts to plastic handcuffs. The beans would've liked to have visited Alcatraz personally, but on a "visitor" basis only.