Recently, instead of doing my assignments, I've been Netflix-ing and chilling. By this, I literally mean watching show after show, episode after episode, by myself, on Netflix. Within Australia, the American sitcom Full House and its new sequel Fuller House was just made available on Netflix. If you haven't watched it, this show will make you laugh, it'll make you cry as you follow the journey of a single parent, their sibling and their best friend try to raise a family of 3 children. The show is set in the Golden Gate City, San Francisco. So while watching, it got me thinking about that brief weekend I spent in San Francisco whilst on exchange in America.
I firstly thought this city, with its steep hills and strong winds that could blow you away, was pretty much going to be my nightmare as I'm basically cold blooded and I'm not the biggest fan of exercise. But despite this, in a mere 2 days, this city won me over!
Due to the limited time, I did all the classic touristy things and here are some tips and tricks I picked up whilst exploring San Fran!
One of the biggest tourist attractions is the Golden Gate Bridge. My advice, a great way to view it up close is by bike riding. Definitely rent bikes from Fisherman's wharf instead of Union Square as it is more flat and there is less traffic to fight your way through. The rental places will provide you with a map and along the ride, there will be physical checkpoints telling you where you are relative to the entire ride and how much further each checkpoint is away.
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| This was the best shot I managed to get of the bridge as it was so foggy the weekend I was there |
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| Me and some of my friends speeding ahead! Taken by: a friend |
After completing the bike ride in the day, you can explore the wharf at night, especially Pier 39, which is one of the places I loved. A must do, is to visit the Boudin Bakery and Café. They serve, in my opinion, the yummiest, most sinfully delicious, heart warming to the core, soups and chowder. Plus it comes in a bread bowl so you don't have to be ashamed of licking the bowl in public!
If you're up for more physical exercise, try Lombard St. It is one of the crookedest streets in the world with 8 hair pin turns. I don't recommend driving and trying to find a parking spot as it is simply too crowded and busy. Instead, what we did was walk from Fisherman's wharf, as it isn't really too far. Well, it's walking distance (hahah get it? it is sad that I laugh at my own lame jokes?). Although this attraction is packed with people, it wasn't my favourite, probably because of that reason, ironically.
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| Lombard St filled with people and cars |
A great to view San Francisco if you're limited in time, like I was, is to join a tour such as the Wild SF Walking Tours. We accidentally stumbled upon this group and they were so friendly and welcoming us in joining in. You meet as a group at Union Square (another key attraction! especially if you want to do some shopping) and they take you through different parts of San Fran, such as in my tour, they took us through Chinatown which is actually the oldest Chinatown in Northern America and the largest Chinese community outside Asia.
One place unexpectedly I had a lot of fun was at the California Academy of Sciences. Initially, the $30 entrance fee makes you pause and think, but I found it was worth it. It is definitely a great place to visit with kids. Plus, it is located within the Golden Gate Park. This park is huge and beautiful with all the gardens.
Unfortunately, I really wanted to visit Alcatraz Island but tickets book out pretty fast for it, so make sure you book your tickets early. But I guess it gives me a good enough reason to go back!
Love always,
Sammy K :)
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| It's not just the place but also the company which makes a trip great! |
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