USA blog #3. We were all excited to drive into San Francisco, as most of us had been there before and we knew it was a fantastic city with a large number of fascinating sights and activities.
First stop was the Golden Gate Bridge, and we drove the huge ochre coloured bridge to ensure we saw it from all angles. It’s one of those things such as driving over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, you just ‘have to do it’.
Then we based ourselves in the Fisherman’s Wharf area for a few days. To me it is the ideal place to stay if a tourist as it’s easy to access the main areas of the city that travellers wish to see and also to jump onto the cable cars (trams), which can take you into the heart of the city and the famed Union Square area.
We decided to explore by cable car on the first day – and this was an experience in itself. Old, creaky trams that are still operated manually, even over the hilly terrain of San Francisco… a lot of fun, especially for the boys who took to ‘hanging off’ the side! First stop was Lombard Street (the ‘crookedest street in the world’), before heading to Union Square to check out the city and the shops, and then dining in Chinatown on the way back…. it was a great day!
Fisherman’s Wharf is the main tourist area as mentioned previously. Pier 39 is the main complex and is home to restaurants, shops, cafes/bars galore and a lovely marina area. At the end of the Pier, you are treated to an awesome view of San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz Island, and you can also spot the K-Dock area where sea lions bask in the sun… follow your nose and you’ll easily find them! There’s also the Aquarium of the Bay and a few rides for smaller children, so there is plenty to do here and will keep you entertained for hours.
A trip out to Alcatraz is definitely one of the main highlights and tours depart regularly to Alcatraz, but you really need to book a time slot over the internet on their website before you go (which thankfully we did) as tickets sell out days and even weeks in advance.
Alcatraz is an amazing experience and the audio tour of the main area is great, a real insight into the ‘life and times’ of the prisoners when Alcatraz was fully functioning. And make sure you head outside and take in the view of the incredible San Francisco skyline – truly stunning!
Other ‘must do’s’….. Try the clam chowder and fresh crab – the Franciscan Crab restaurant is terrific, but there are lots of restaurants and seafood cafes/market stalls to choose from. They are all ‘touristy’ in this area but the food and the views are good, and the way they serve their clam chowders in cob, bread roll baskets is great.
Ghirardelli Chocolate Marketplace is also well worth a stop; so much chocolate to sample but also amazing ice creams and sundaes. Indulgence overload!
Coit Tower is also in the heart of the city and overlooks San Francisco and the Bay – lots of steps to climb but a spectacular view so well worth it.
We only had a few days in San Francisco, but if you do have time, there are also lots of great day-trips you can do from San Francisco… we came in from Monterey which is always popular (and I talked about in my last blog – California Drivin’) but there is also the Napa Valley wine region, Yosemite National Park (which I’ve been fortunate to do on a previous trip – spectacular!) and Sonoma just to name a few options.
As the songs say – ‘you’ll leave your heart in San Francisco’ – and it’s true! San Francisco is a fantastic city that is very unique and is certainly something a little bit special.
Next stop….. New Orleans!