"Are you going to San Francisco?"
Arriving into the city by air will give you a bird's eye view of what’s to come, seeing the ‘Streets’ of San Francisco from above and maybe even a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge. We were treated to four days of glorious sunshine although I needed a jacket for the cooler evenings.
We stayed at the ‘Argonaut’ hotel down on Fisherman’s Wharf area, a perfect position to explore on foot as we didn’t hire a car this time and close to trams and bus routes too. Our room was large and well equipped, a nice restaurant, cosy lounge area and great hospitality.
We made use of a 1 day hop on hop off bus ticket, taking in a couple of loops from a breezy top deck. A great way to see the city if you are short of time but also, to get your bearings and learn so much from the on-board guides. You will see Chinatown, Golden Gate Park, the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square (great for shopping!), Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39 (hear the vocal sea lions) and so much more.
A day further afield with family took us to the Frances Ford Coppola Winery and a drive through some beautiful scenery on the way. In the past, we have made visits to the friendly town of Sonoma with its pretty town square, Bodega Bay with its stunning shoreline and the wine country of the Napa Valley. All within an easy drive. The Redwood forests are close by too.
No visit to San Francisco would be complete without a trip to the infamous Alcatraz! We took in a spooky evening tour, a completely different atmosphere than daytime and such amazing views of the city and bay area. Make sure you book it well in advance. You could also take in a baseball game and see the mighty ‘Giants’ or spend some time at the Academy of Science, even a Segway tour or cycle across Golden Gate or Bay Bridge.
We had great fun at the Sunday drag show at the Starlight Rooms (In the Sir Frances Drake Hotel) – give it a try, hilarious. Heard of ‘Lombard Street’? The famous crooked street with 8 hairpin bends. In need of burning some calories, we trekked to the top from where the views are just stunning. The walk back down was so much easier.
Plenty of great eateries made it hard to make decisions. Excellent breakfast diners, fabulous fresh seafood (try Clam Chowder), tempting Italian, of course fast food and for me, an ice cream sundae at Ghiradelli’s is a must. Something to suit all tastes and pockets.
So, whether you have a week or just a weekend there truly is something for everyone in this vibrant city. Go and see for yourself why it remains top of my list.