San Francisco is well worth visiting if you ever get the opportunity. When planning our road trip around the Southwest I had tossed up whether to include San Francisco at all. It seemed somewhat out of the way and was going to add alot more driving to our proposed trip.
Man, I am glad we did make the effort because, as the song says ... I left my heart in San Francisco.
There was something beautiful about this city and it was more than just the location.
You couldn't ask for a lovelier setting for a city. San Francisco Bay is a sheltered calm retreat from the wild pacificcoast.
As we were driving in from the south, we realised we were heading straight towards the Golden Gate Bridge so we took the opportunity to drive across and turned off at the Viewing Point on the other side.
First sight of the city, the bay, Alcatraz and those magnificent bridges left us almost speechless. It was so stunning that it totally caught me by surprise. We took way too many photos in a bid to try to capture the moment.
We decided to take this opportunity to walk across the bridge. The pedestrian walkway provides ample room for foot traffic as well as cycles. There were loads of people cycling and if you are keen to do this, you will find numerous companies renting bikes out on the city side. If you have trouble finding them, head to the nearest Visiotrs Centre and they will have you set
up in no time at all.
We walked to the halfway point before turning back, we were lucky with the weather. It had been a bit showery and grey when we arrived but the weather cleared back to blue sky and sunshine before too long.
On the way back to the car we made our way past the t-shirt touts, These guys were working a large crowd that had arrived in a tour bus and were having limited success.
As we were getting ourselves in the right lane to head back over the bridge to the city we saw another sign pointing to a viewing point high on the hill of Marin heads. The view from up here was even more spectacular as the Golden Gate Bridge was in full view and looked just spectacular.
Heading back to the city we had to pay a toll of $3.
Somewhere to stay. --------------------------
We didn't put too much effort into this and as we came off the bridge we took the Lombard Street option. There were a few cheaper chain motels around here like Econo Lodge but they looked a bit tatty from the outside. I noticed a possibility and we pulled up at The Royal Motel. The rates were high at $100 a night but parking was free. We couldn't really be bothered putting too much effort into finding accommodation every day so we booked two nights here. it was okay, standard motel .... bed, TV, table and chairs. bathroom and clean sheets and towels.
Driving the streets of San Francisco. --------------------------------------------------
This was fun. Those streets may look steep in photos but just wait until you are driving them, thats when you realise just how steep they really are. Some of the intersections we came to were so steep that we couldn't see over the crest to the other side very well.
* Lombard Street.
We drove this street all the way from the motel to Coit Tower. A section of this street is known as 'the crookedest street in the world' as the road zig zags down an impossibly steep section of hill.
It was interesting driving down here but we timed it wrong, we got stuck in traffic behind someone delivering mail or newpapers to all the houses on the street. Made for a more interesting trip I think.
*Coit Tower.
We carried on along Lombard Street until we reached Filbert Street which winds up Telegraph Hill. At the top you will see the Coit Tower lookout. The tower is actually a memorial tower to the volunteer firemen of the 1850's & 60's. Access inside the tower was closed the day we visited so we had to make do with the view from the carpark'
The views from up here were great and the city and bay were just as charming from this angle as all the others. We drove up here a few times at night to enjoy the views and whatever time we went up, there were always crowds of people enjoying the sights.
This area is very popular with tourists and as a result, is full of street performers, live music and a fun atmosphere.
We went to check out the sealions of Fishermans Wharf and we heard them first, then we we saw and then ... poo.... we could smell them, they sure do pong. There were about 60 sealions all vying for prime position on the floating platforms provided for them. These platforms are secured to the pier and the sealions just go about there day while hundreds of tourists watch them,
We checked out the shops and bought a few things to take home. There are bars and restaurants, cafes and kiosks here if you need a bite to eat. The crowds were being entertained by a guy juggling swords, he was very entertaining and worked the crowd well.
*Bay Cruise
We took a cruise with the RED AND WHITE FLEET. There are a few companies offering these tours. At Fishermans Wharf, head over to pier 431/2, you will find the ticket office. We didn't have to pre-book or anything, just walked up and bought tickets for the next sailing. It cost $28 for two ( we used a discount coupon for this price). The boats leave every half hour between 10am and 6.15pm.
The cruise was great, the narrated tour took us out to and under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz. As we neared Alcatraz they cut the engines and we drifted slowly past this desolated and forlorn looking outpost.
This was quite eerie really as the only sound was a bell clanging, not sure whether the bell was from our boat or on the island somewhere.
*Cable Cars You just have to ride the Cable Cars when in San Francisco. This is a very popular pastime with everyone and patience is required as at peak times the lines are long. Get a day pass for $6 if you are intending to ride a few times, it will save you a few bucks in the long run.
*Markets
We only managed to catch the market down at Victorian Park but it was worth going to. The stall holders are respectful and let you browse without making you feel watched. The atmosphere was laid back and friendly.
* Parking.
The hardest part is finding a carpark but we were lucky for the most part and found roadside parking a few times. Parking Lots can be found quite easily and were generally $10 an hour in the downtown area. We parked at the Embarcardero Centre downtown for a whole afternoon for only $14. You find this on Sacramento and Drumm. There is a cable car stop nearby so it is easy enough to get around the city from here.
*City Drive
The central city is pretty easy to get around by car and the one way system is quite systematical in layout so it too is very simple to master.
Getting out into the surrounding suburbs you are sure to notice the houses. The Victorian architecture is very noticeable all over the city. There are rows and rows of terrace type houses all painted in lovely fresh colours and looking well maintained and cared for.
We went on a bit of a tour through some suburban streets just admiring the homes.
The overall impression I got of San Francisco was one of city pride. There was no sign of litter or disrepair in the CBD and it was really pleasant, especially comparing it to Los Angeles.
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There was so much we didn't see here and yes, I do hope to return one day and spend at least a week ( or more) here if possible.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Hoping to go in May. I have printed off your review and will definitely use it while I am there. Ali
s_jones_2003 22.08.2004 11:25
I'd love to go here, my boyfriend went a few years ago (he's been everywhere... sounds a bit like you actually) and said it was wonderful, he prefered it to the bright lights of New York and Las Vegas too, Sarah x
petitesquirt 28.05.2004 02:27
I just love San Francisco, spending a good part of the year in the bay area.
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Advantages: USA's most culturally diverse area, excellent nature Disadvantages: none
From_The_Continent 23.02.2001 (24.02.2001)
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Review of San Francisco (California)
Advantages: A very tourist-friendly metropolitan area Disadvantages: None, except that you really have to stay longer
digitalenvironmentalist 01.04.2007 (01.04.2007)
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Review of San Francisco (California)
May 27th, 2004
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