USA

Heart Definitely Left

 

Tony Bennett said it best in his song I left my heart in San Francisco.

I’m going home to my city by the bay

I left my heart in San Francisco

High on a hill, it calls to me

To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars

 

My first impression of San Francisco was “where is everyone”. I landed on a Sunday morning from Sydney International airport thinking it would be a very busy city. I caught the train to the city, which was surprisingly easy, to find that the area surrounding Union Station was almost a ghost town. An Uber app error on my part prevented me from getting a ride so I asked a stall owner about taxis. I didn’t realise that America is so full of Uber drivers that finding a normal taxi now is very difficult. Add that to Sunday morning church and you have a lonely Aussie standing on the street for a long time waiting with tired breath. After watching the roadies for Nine Inch Nails bump out gear from the night before for 45 mins I decided to change to the other side of the road. This finally helped me to find a taxi driver who took me to my hotel.

Instantly you notice the steep hills. Car brake mechanics would be busy here. The entire city feels like a film set and as you walk the hills you are bombarded with architecture you are certain was in a film you have seen. The famous Lombard Street is incredible and it is amazing to watch the traffic spiral down the windy road.

I walked to the Painted Ladies, famously the backdrop of the Full House television show and many Hollywood films. The architecture at every turn is incredible and so unique to the area.The United States seems to have combined contemporary functionality with classic aesthetics. It evokes a feeling of nostalgia, just take one step into any diner and order a slice of apple pie to experience it yourself.

Love at first sight

I think the reason I fell in love with San Francisco was that I had researched the rich history of the area. Originally a Spanish mission, once the gold rush started San Francisco developed into a cosmopolitan metropolis. Gold, Chocolate, Fortune cookies, bread and that incredible Golden Gate Bridge were all elements of this extraordinary Harbour city. And let’s not forget those notorious cheeky prisoners.

 

http://www.sanfranciscochinatown.com/attractions/ggfortunecookie.html

 

Current Alcatraz Resident

Alcatraz

Things to do

Rent a bike and explore

Walk or ride across the Golden Gate Bridge

Explore Pier 39 – FREE

Boudin Bakery Tour – FREE

Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory

Discover the tiny fortune cookie shop in Chinatown

Ride on a Cable Car

Self-guided famous house walk – FREE

Take a ferry to Alcatraz

Take a Catamaran Trip with Adventure Cat from Pier 39 – $78 AUD approx

See the seals at Pier 39 – FREE

Adventure Cat – http://www.adventurecat.com/

I highly recommend this company, the staff were very professional and friendly. They were happy to chat, answer questions and take photos.

Although not a confident cyclist, I was thrilled to be able to explore San Francisco on two wheels. I loved my time and will definitely visit again.

 

 

 

 

 

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