To make it more exciting over the road there was also a mega cancer research conference going on of a similar size. I've not been before as I've always been put off by its size, but as someone between the lines of different research themes who's a bit interdisciplinary it was one of the best meetings I've been to, if a little on the crazy side.
I also loved San Fransisco, the trams were great and it was such a treat to be in an American city you could get around without a car.
On my first day I walked and walked and learnt that some of those hills really are quite steep.
Excitingly the conference centre was just near Mel's Diner, who did a great line in tasty greasy food.
We also went off to a basketball match at Oakland, which frankly wasn't as exciting as a Seahawks match, but did mean I could get myself a foam finger.
I did some shopping wandering round the great Chinatown, the Castro and Haight Ashbury.
I checked out the windy windy Lombard Street, but I knew it wasn't as steep as the street me and Luke climbed in New Zealand.
I also managed to hire a bike and cycle over the golden gate bridge and caught a ferry back at sunset which was amazing, I took photo after photo of the amazing view.
We has a slightly less impressive view on our trip to Alcatraz,
but the rock was still fascinating and the audio tour was great.
I was very obedient as they told you where to look and where to walk on the tour, the hospital was proper creepy and I didn't like that so much.
On my final day I popped over to Berkley and snuck into the football ground for a great view back over the city before heading back in time to get my flight.
