Let me start by saying it's been a long time since I've been there.
Like a really long time.
Like over 10 years ago.
Hubby and I went to San Francisco way back in 1999. It was actually our 1 year anniversary trip and he flew out there with my engagement ring in his luggage.
Yup. San Fransisco is where we got engaged so it holds a very special place in my heart.
I mentioned in yesterday's blog, we did this trip on a very small budget. I'm sad to say the hotel we stayed at has changed hands but the good news is it's been upgraded BIG TIME!
It was known as The Allison back in 99...now it's The Crescent, a small boutique hotel located about 1 block from the cable car line and Chinatown (and directly across the street from the $300+ a night Hyatt!).
The prices have slightly gone up (we paid about $100.00 a night back then) but depending on the time you go, you may be able to snag a room there for a little more than $100 bucks a night.
In San Fran, this is a steal!
The best part of visiting this city is there is no lack of things to do and see. San Francisco is huge...and much more like New York that I realized. The public transportation is top notch with many different ways to get around the city, with the cable car being one of them.
What I didn't know was that there are only 3 cable car lines...they run from the city center north to Fisherman's Wharf then back (watching the cars get turned around on the big turntable is part of the fun). It will cost you about 5 bucks per person each way (kids under 4 ride free) and it's worth it...I was quite surprised how long the ride is. And it's white knuckled in some places...taking the giant hills at a good clip while hanging on to a pole can be a bit nerve-wracking but oh so FUN!
We took the cable car to Ghirardelli Square and Fisherman's Wharf which was my favorite part of San Francisco. The square sits right at the edge of the Pacific. With Alcatraz in the distance and the smell of Ghirardelli chocolate in the air, it's a great place to take some pictures and spend some time. Make sure you try the chocolate before you leave...the hot fudge sundae should NOT be missed!
Now keep in mind we took this trip in August. We figured "August, California, Summertime...it should be warm"...right?
WRONG!!!
We were so cold, the first thing we did was find the nearest shop and bought 2 polar fleece pullovers! IT WAS FREEZING!!! And when you're by the water, it's even colder. San Francisco tends to be foggy and cold year round. Pack for it!
From Ghirardelli, we made the short walk to Fisherman's Wharf.
Now I wasn't sure what I expected to find here. I'm from Florida so when I think tourist attraction, my mind tends to think of rides and games. I was not expecting to find AMAZING FOOD!
Oh. My. God.
Lobster. Crab. Shrimp.
Unbelievable seafood everywhere!!!!
And fresh...straight off the boat and ready to eat. We bought sourdough loaves of bread with the insides pulled out and then stuffed with fresh crab and lobster salad. It was a full meal in your hand...for THREE DOLLARS!!!!
What a bargain!
And it was seriously the most delicious thing I had ever put in my mouth.
I could have stayed and ate all day.
But we moved on to Pier 39.
And visited the seals.
You can hear these guys before you see them...they bark LOUD!
Adjacent to Pier 39 is the harbor cruise boats. You can tour the harbor and go under the Golden Gate Bridge or do all that plus tour Alcatraz.
We were cheap. We did the harbor and the bridge. But if we ever go back, I'm going to Alcatraz. I would love to see that place.
The views from this cruise are incredible...sailing under the bridge was just awesome.
But the best part is all this is within very close proximity. You can visit all this easily on the same day.
And San Francisco has a lot more to see.
Day 2, we did a little more exploring. And we got real familiar with public transportation.
We took the street car to the subway to the bus line, rode through the Haight-Ashbury district (I didn't get a picture because Hubby wouldn't let me off the bus...it's kind of a scary neighborhood), and ended up at beach. It was quite the journey but very easy to get around with any decent map.
The beach was freezing, the water like ice. I had to put my toes in and then I quickly put my socks and sneakers back on! We saw some surfer dudes and admired their bravery (or stupidity) for daring to swim in that ice cold water. Even with a wet suit, they admitted to us they were freezing.
We did some exploring and climbed up the hillside just off the beach. The views from up here were unbelievable.
And it was up here on these cliffs, I got engaged.
Such happy memories!
After celebrating, we took the bus back to Golden Gate Park and did some exploring. I don't think we were prepared for how large this park really is.
It's a huge green space which eventually leads to the Golden Gate Bridge.
We never made it that far. We walked so much, about half way in we found the bus stop and called it a day.
Looking back, I'm glad we did as this was the most interesting bus ride of our whole trip. Our route took us through all the neighborhoods that make San Francisco such a diverse and interesting place. We saw store fronts completely in Russian (and passengers reading Russian newspapers), theaters showing foreign films, even a few 'adult' ones (This is San Francisco after all!) It was then I really realized what a cosmopolitan city San Francisco was. It was beautiful, yes, but there was so much more to it than just that.
And I fell in love with all the differences it had to offer.
I haven't been back in over 10 years but I know I will someday.
After all, I left a piece of my heart there.
I have to attempt to claim it one day!
Happy Wednesday Everyone!
2 comments:
Who's that guy with you? LOL He looks so young!!!!
And he had hair! : )
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