A Day in San Francisco: Adventure Awaits!

Morning Stroll to Haight-Ashbury

After a great breakfast at the hotel we set out for Haight-Ashbury. It took about a hour to walk there and as it got hillier and warmer we were pleased to get there and have an iced coffee. Google had said a mile but it was more than that! I was ready to kill Matthew after a massive hill topped with about 50 steps at the peak. Luckily my zip of trousers became shorts. Our feel for the city improved as we moved into different areas and we really saw a city of haves and have nots. The different houses and styles are lovely to just wander about and look at. Haight-Ashbury still had that hippy feel, we saw Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead's houses (which surprisingly were only marked on google and not on the street) and Jimi Hendrix's house. Lots of retro/vintage shops - my kids would have a field day here.

Way more from the Waymo Experience

Feeling rejuvenated after a delicious brunch in a (far too trendy for us) cafe , we decided to get a taxi to Fisherman's Wharf rather than walk. We had seen the driverless taxis so decide to go for it and book a Waymo. It was incredible to experience a car without a driver! The technology was mind-blowing, and it definitely added a futuristic twist to our day. It also felt surprisingly safe and somehow normal.

Once we arrived at the pier, we hopped on a catamaran tour around the bay, joined by just four other people.

On our jetty there were two cruises leaving at the same time and the other looked busier and more intriguing as before they set of a lady had delivered a box to the captain. I was only when our captain said its important to catch the correct boat as that other is a memorial/ashes scattering service boat so that's what was in the box. He did say they occasionally get the wrong people on which is awkward.

The captain said it was a quiet day for some reason and it felt like a private tour, the boat caters for groups of 90. We had a couple from the UK who we chatted to and a couple from Italy who spoke no English but were obsessed with photos from every angle possible. I know women can pose but OMG, this guy took his posing to another level lol. It felt so intimate, sailing across the tranquil waters with breath taking views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Definitely another highlight of the holiday. The San Francisco fog was at its best, allowing a a full view of the bridge but then coming down and giving that classic shrouded view of the bridge. The fog seems to come and go so quickly.

Exploring Chinatown and Little Italy

After our sailing adventure, we decided to walk to Chinatown, taking a scenic route through Little Italy. The streets were alive with tantalizing aromas and colourful storefronts, a sensory feast! Our goal was City Lights Bookstore, a legendary spot that has captivated many literary enthusiasts. We could have spent hours here but the pub was calling so we went into Vesuvio and sat in Jack Kerouac Alley (oo-eer) with a pint of Guinness each. In the pub were great photos of various beat authors.

Night time Tour of Alcatraz

As the sun began to set, we made my way down to Pier 33 for a night tour of Alcatraz. The audio tour provided chilling stories of infamous inmates and the eerie atmosphere added to the experience. It was especially good to be there as the sunset and nice to be able to leave. It truly was the perfect conclusion to an exhilarating day!

A Cosy Place to Rest

To top it all off, I just have to mention the lovely place we stayed at, which offered an amazing breakfast! It was a cosy retreat after an eventful day, and we couldn't have asked for a better stay.

It had been a really busy day and we feel we definitely made the most of our day in San Francisco, it's been a budget blowing day but we fell worth it to have done so much. With 20000 steps under our belt for one day our legs are now feeling it, picking up the car today though so time for the legs to rest.

If you’re planning to spend a day in San Francisco, know that there's so much to explore and experience, so get ready for your own adventure, deffo do the Waymo, you wont regret it!