Destination - San Francisco

“One day if I go to heaven…I’ll look around and say “It ain’t bad, but it ain’t San Francisco.”

 Herb Caen

“You wouldn’t think such a place as San Francisco could exist.  The wonderful sunlight here, the hills, the great bridges, the Pacific at your shoes.  Beautiful Chinatown.  Every race in the world.  The sardine fleets sailing out.  The little cable-cars whizzing down The City hills….And all the people are open and friendly.”  
 Dylan Thomas

Downtown San Francisco

San Francisco is just one of those fun cities to visit.  It has fun neighborhoods to explore, great restaurants to try, lots of sights to see, and cultural events.  There is no city quite like San Francisco.  Just thinking of the city makes my mouth start watering for their clam chowder at Fisherman’s Wharf.

When you think of going to San Francisco you think of all the touristy places everyone goes.  And even if you have done them before, they are worth doing again.  My top things to see or do in San Francisco would be:

1.     Fisherman’s Wharf

2.     Pier 39

3.     Ghirardelli Square

4.     Ride a Cable Car

5.     Alcatraz

6.     Take the ferry to Sausalito

7.     Chinatown

8.     Lombard Street

9.     Golden Gate Park

10.  Golden Gate Bridge

Fisherman's Wharf

Fisherman’s Wharf/Pier 39/Ghirardelli Square

Together, these three waterfront sights encompass much of the stereotypical San Francisco vacation trip. Most visitors take in all three sights together, since they're all in the same area.    Fisherman’s Wharf is a food lover’s haven.  It boasts some of the best dining.  You can find fresh crab, smell the sourdough bread baking, and find the best clam chowder you will ever eat.  There are quite often street perfomers, and there are clubs offering music theater and much more.  Pier 39 is right next to the Wharf and is almost and extension of it, although it is a little more of a shopping area and less of a market area.  There are some fine restaurants there, and lots of nice shops.  Ghirardelli Square is just up the hill from the Wharf and Pier 39.  The main things to do in the square are shopping and restaurants.  It is famous for the Ghirardelli chocolates, and there is a store there where you can purchase the candy, and it also has a soda fountain area for ice creams and sodas.

Turning the Cable Car around

Riding a cable car is a true San Francisco treat.  There is no other city I know of that has this type of cable car, and the fact that San Francisco is built of hills, makes it even more fun to ride them.  They are uniquely San Francisco. They have been called “San Francisco’s moving landmark” as they climb up and down hills with their bells clanging.

Taken from Sausalito
Alcatraz and SF Skyline

Alcatraz prison wasn’t always a place people wanted to go, but today it is one the city’s most popular sights.  You need to make reservations for this trip in advance, and make sure you sign up for one that actually takes you to the island.  There are bay cruises that advertise that you see Alcatraz, but what they mean is, you see it as you pass by.  You will take a ferry to get to the island.  Once there you can walk up to the prison and tour the cell blocks, exercise yard and other locations.  There is a self-guided audio tour which is worth purchasing.  It makes you feel like you are really there, with the sounds of the prisoners sometimes in the background.  And it will tell you the stories of those who tried to escape.

Sausalito

Sausalito is just across the bay from San Francisco.  It is an artist town, with cute little shops, nice restaurants, and lots of small sailing ships in its harbor.  You can drive across the Golden Gate bridge to get to it, or if it is a nice day, then take the ferry.  It is always nice to get out on the water, and the views of the city are worth the trip across.

Entrance to Chinatown

San Francisco's Chinatown is one of the largest outside China. The style is what early 20th Century Western architects thought Chinese buildings should look like - and much is created just for the tourist. Most Chinatown visitors stroll along one of the two major streets, buy a few souvenirs, eat, gawk and take photos. The more adventurous ones enjoy checking out the markets, herbalist shops, tea stores and alleyways.  And if you are in the mood for Chinese food, then this is the place to have it.  There are many very good restaurants in Chinatown.

Lombard Street

Lombard Street is advertised as the “Crookedest street in the world”  but facts are that it isn’t even the crookedest street in San Francisco.  That honor goes to Vermont Street between 20^th and 22^nd.  But Lombard Street has become a symbol of  San Francisco.  And it is beautiful, with some of the loveliest houses lining the street and the flowers blooming, it is worth a stop.  You can drive down the street from the top – it is a one-way street.  There are 8 tight curves as you come down.  Or you can take the cable car and get off at the top and walk down.  Once you get to the bottom of the street, make sure you take a picture up the hill, that is the best shot.

Japanese Tea Garden in the park

Golden Gate Park is a bit off the track for most tourists to San Francisco.  I personally have very fond memories of going to the park on my first visit to the city.  That was back in 1967, also known as “The Summer of Love.”  As we were driving into the city they were announcing a music festival and “Love In” being held in the park.  My sister and I talked my dad into going.  Mom wasn’t thrilled about it, but dad was pretty liberal in most of his views and he was willing to go.  We had a great day listening to bands like The Jefferson Airplane, and Grateful Dead playing in the park.  There were a lot of people, and everyone very laid back and mellow (AKA high) and having a good time (except my mom!)  Today it is a nice place to just get away from the city for a little while.  The park is 3 miles long by a half mile wide and is larger than New York City’s Central Park.  You can see Dutch windmills, buffalo, remote controlled boats on the lake, museums and gardens – the most famous being the Japanese Tea Garden.  Take a picnic lunch and enjoy a day outdoors.

Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is certainly a symbol of the city.  It is a suspension bridge spanning the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean.  The area it spans is known at the Golden Gate.  The bridge is part of U.S. Route 101 and Hwy 1.  It links the city of San Francisco to Marin County.  It is considered to be one of the most beautiful bridges in the world, and certainly the most photographed.  You can actually walk across the bridge, but it is a 3 mile hike, so keep that in mind if you decide to do this.  It would also be possible to bike across it.  There are great views of the city from the bridge, and you can watch ships passing below the bridge.  

So now that you have done all the touristy things, make sure you also take the time to wander through some of the neighborhoods that make up the city. They all have their own charm. And the city has many museums worth visiting, as well as theatre, and other cultural events, so check to see what is going on while you are there. There are great restaurants to check out, they are certainly famous for their seafood and sourdough bread, but you will find just about any kind of food you are interested in. Enjoy the atmosphere and the great views and relax. This is a great city to explore.

If you have time, there are areas close to San Francisco where you could add to your vacation.  The Wine country is just across the Golden Gate Bridge, and the areas of Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur are just south of San Francisco.  You could add a few days in either area for a great 2 week vacation. My next 2 posts will cover these two areas near San Francisco..