San Fran has always been somewhere that I've wanted to visit since I heard it mentioned in an old Simon and Garfunkel song which my Dad used to play when I was little girl. By far the best way to see this magnificent city is by one of those unavoidable tour buses. Yes they may be cliche but they do the job. From the famous San Francisco bridge to Macy's and the famous Cheesecake Factory. You can see it all. One thing a good friend pointed out to me is that considering its must-try version is called the 'New York Cheesecake' you'd think they'd have a store in central Manhattan - sadly not. So make sure you get your fix whilst you're still in SF.
Back to the city tour. We started at Fisherman's Wharf most famous for Pier 39 and it's rather noisy inhabitants; sealions. Some say that the council did their upmost to get rid of them for years but they kept coming back, so eventually they gave up. The noise is quite incredible and a sight not to be missed.
China Town is worth a wander, although it's pretty much the same as all the others I've seen in every major city across the world. The only landmark I'd recommend is Dragon Gate on Grant Avenue. It was installed in '69 as a gift from the Government of Republic of China (Taiwan). It's also the largest of its kind outside of Asia.
I loved Haight Ashbury. Another quirky neighhood and one that delivered my perception of SF. Funky, diverse and filled with boutiques and coffee shops, I wish I could've spent more time there. I also enjoyed downtown SF. Not somewhere that's highly recommended in tourist guides which in a way was a welcome relief. I found some delicious restaurants and definitely foodie heaven. Perfect place to meet an old work colleague for dinner and drinks. A welcome return to normality.
There are 2 places which cannot be missed; Golden Gate Bridge/Golden Gate Park and the San Francisco Trolleys. Firstly, GG Bridge. Frustratingly, I didn't get to see it in full view due to fog. I went 3 out of my 5 days only to find fog engulfing the entire view. Apparently it's very normal and there's often only 5 day throughout the whole year that you get a clear shot. A rather depressing statistic. That all being said, the GG park more the made up for it. One afternoon I wasted hours just sitting reading a book with a picnic. A welcome retreat. This brings me onto the famous trolley carts or trams to you and I. At 6$ for a return trip over the hills of S. Fran it's not cheap but it's an absolute must do!
This leads me to my final thoughts on San Fran-Cisco:
As my first stop in the US, this was the perfect choice. It's everything I expected and much more...
I can't wait to go back explore more of the districts on the other side of the bridge, find more eateries and perhaps go to a few gigs in the downtown suburbs.
San Fran, until next time....
Next stop: LA
