san fraNcisco!
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Really happy with our simple yet cosy hostel right in the middle of downtown. Everyone is so friendly here! The streets of San Fran don’t have that big mean city feel at all, we’ve been so delighted with how lovely the people are. A lady came up to us and offered the last of her monthly bus pass to help us get around, locals smile at you in the street, there’s no pushing or shoving, a bus driver went out of his way to make sure we got the last one home. It’s been wonderful. Also loving how dog friendly it is! Little furry heads
stick out of every second backpack and purse on the street, with locals walking their dogs through the city centre at all times of the day. Within half an hour of walking through the main square we saw a genuine hippy from the summer of love era, crack addicts and a skateboarding bull dog. So San Fran!
stick out of every second backpack and purse on the street, with locals walking their dogs through the city centre at all times of the day. Within half an hour of walking through the main square we saw a genuine hippy from the summer of love era, crack addicts and a skateboarding bull dog. So San Fran!
fishermans wharf, farmers markets and pier 39
Our first arvo we jumped on one of the hop on-hop off open top buses which took us on a full city tour—including a drive over the iconic golden gate bridge! Towards the end we froze our arses off but it really was a great way to get some bearing of the city. We’ve already fallen for the gorgeous town houses that line the hilly streets. Even from the first day you can really imagine a life here; the city routine, organic market where you do your shopping, favourite dog park, jogging route.
Scott read that there are more dogs in this city than children under 12, its incredibly diverse and accepting, voting is at 95% (democratic), it’s the gay capital of the US (probably explains all the dogs) and everything seems to be locally grown, organic, carbon neutral, made with love, no packaging, and supports the local community. What’s not to love about San Fran?!
Scott read that there are more dogs in this city than children under 12, its incredibly diverse and accepting, voting is at 95% (democratic), it’s the gay capital of the US (probably explains all the dogs) and everything seems to be locally grown, organic, carbon neutral, made with love, no packaging, and supports the local community. What’s not to love about San Fran?!
Today was Fisherman’s Wharf! Being Saturday in addition to the usual boutique stores the farmers markets were on. It was packed with people enjoying the busy atmosphere and delish gourmet goodies. All along the streets of SF and especially at the markets there are bright bursts of colour from tulip and daffodil vendors. We spent the whole morning taking in the sights and sounds. Fresh $2 half shell oysters, artesian breads, handmade chocolate truffles, amazing mushroom stalls and so much organic sustainable produce sold by lovely locals. Heaven! The organic and union labour artichokes really sum it up.
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Eventually we settled on some organic merlot from a local vineyard, runny triple cream cheese from happy cows just north of here, stone baked sourdough, handmade choccies and some organic fruit. A lovely picnic in the park awaits tomorrow :)
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After all this wholesome goodness we wandered further down Pier 39 and came upon the ‘Bubba Gump Shrimp Company’. We
could not pass on the opportunity to support Forrest and Bubba in their shrimp fishing venture. Scott was stoked! (Forrest Gump being one of his favourite movies ever). It was time to ditch the farmers market goodness and get into some themed American deep fried loud and big food! We got a pound of beer steamed shrimp with Cajun sauce (for starters) and then clam chowder. Bubba Gump woulda been proud. Washed down with two tallies of steamboat beer we were full and tipsy enough to wander down to the sea lions. |
It is an amazing sight to see these big sea lions lazing about in the middle of the city! Apparently in 1980 they all shifted here from seal rock (when a great white moved in), and have been happily coming back ever since. Could have spent all day watching them, but our toes were close to freezing so have vowed to come back during sunnier weather. We finished our day with the Bay Aquarium. Both of us loooove aquariums and this was no exception. Highlights were definitely the mesmerising jellyfish and the starfish that gave Scott the finger.
Tomorrow we plan on biking over the bridge—praying for sun!
x Al
Tomorrow we plan on biking over the bridge—praying for sun!
x Al
3 - 5 March... haight-Ashbury, alcatraz & the bridge
3rd March: Decided not to bike the bridge today as the
weather looked a bit dodgy. Instead we went to where the 1967 summer of love originated, the ever-groovy, still hippie Haight District! – And it was the Best. Day. Ever! The Haight is named for the main intersection in the suburb, on Haight- Ashbury streets. It’s a colourful, eclectic and VERY FRIENDLY neighbourhood. Example: we paused in front of a pub. A local guy stopped and said, “You could do better for coffee than here. But if you’re after beer, this is one of the best micro-breweries in SF—I hope you ENJOY it! But most importantly ENJOY each other! We only live once my friends—peace.”
So you see, very friendly. And a bit strange in a good way.
Before we explored the Haight we stopped off at a beautiful city dog park to take in a bit of sun and ended up spending about 2 hours there just watching the dogs run around. It was also enjoyable watching the owners who were a special breed themselves. We made friends with the most down to earth dog in the park, Travis. He was a 6 year old retriever. The three of us played fetch for a little while and then chuckled at the other rather more classy pure-breds named ‘Harley-Quinn’ (yes, hyphenated) and ‘Pinot’.
weather looked a bit dodgy. Instead we went to where the 1967 summer of love originated, the ever-groovy, still hippie Haight District! – And it was the Best. Day. Ever! The Haight is named for the main intersection in the suburb, on Haight- Ashbury streets. It’s a colourful, eclectic and VERY FRIENDLY neighbourhood. Example: we paused in front of a pub. A local guy stopped and said, “You could do better for coffee than here. But if you’re after beer, this is one of the best micro-breweries in SF—I hope you ENJOY it! But most importantly ENJOY each other! We only live once my friends—peace.”
So you see, very friendly. And a bit strange in a good way.
Before we explored the Haight we stopped off at a beautiful city dog park to take in a bit of sun and ended up spending about 2 hours there just watching the dogs run around. It was also enjoyable watching the owners who were a special breed themselves. We made friends with the most down to earth dog in the park, Travis. He was a 6 year old retriever. The three of us played fetch for a little while and then chuckled at the other rather more classy pure-breds named ‘Harley-Quinn’ (yes, hyphenated) and ‘Pinot’.
San Fran has always attracted the poets, the free-thinkers and the dreamers. The peace-loving Haight is at the heart of this. Ever since the 60’s people have come here for the accepting and welcoming culture—everyone fits in no matter what. Being a Sunday the cafes were full with locals packing out the best-loved places. With so many interesting characters and buskers on the street you could easily spend your whole day people watching.
On the way back to the bus stop we popped into that recommended micro-brewery for a beer or two. There we became good friends
with three Mexicans and a fellow Aussie, and ended up having 5 or 6 of these delicious beers. In California, it turns out they don’t need to advertise the alcohol content of such beverages. Therefore, I’m sad to say our 4th day in San Fran was a bit of a write-off :(
with three Mexicans and a fellow Aussie, and ended up having 5 or 6 of these delicious beers. In California, it turns out they don’t need to advertise the alcohol content of such beverages. Therefore, I’m sad to say our 4th day in San Fran was a bit of a write-off :(
To start the day we caught the cable car to Fishermans Wharf—just love these things and so necessary with the hills!—and from there rode the bike path along the coast, over the orange bridge and down to the picturesque town of Sausalito.
By the time we got on the cable car home the sun was setting. The hilly city looked beautiful in the darkening sky. The cable car guys are obviously good mates and call out to each other as the cars pass close by on the street, making things somehow homely. It was another great day and we’re both exhausted. Made garlicky vegie soup at the hostel for dinner, Scott suddenly coming down with some serious man-flu so hopefully it helps.
x Al
By the time we got on the cable car home the sun was setting. The hilly city looked beautiful in the darkening sky. The cable car guys are obviously good mates and call out to each other as the cars pass close by on the street, making things somehow homely. It was another great day and we’re both exhausted. Made garlicky vegie soup at the hostel for dinner, Scott suddenly coming down with some serious man-flu so hopefully it helps.
x Al
last days in san francisco... 6 - 9 March
Our last few days in San Fran were quite relaxed—just doing the last few things on our list. On Wednesday we started off with a nice organic brekky from the Civic Centre Markets, miso noodle soup with the noodles made out of tofu. Very delicious! We spent the whole day at the Californian Academy of Sciences. They had a great indoor coral reef exhibit, which made us feel quite at home :)
Once the science centre closed for the day we walked up Buena Vista hill to admire the view of the city, and then had dinner in the Haight. Caught a local play in the theatre up the road, true to San Frans lefty views it was about the war and evil republicans. Quite funny actually.
Once the science centre closed for the day we walked up Buena Vista hill to admire the view of the city, and then had dinner in the Haight. Caught a local play in the theatre up the road, true to San Frans lefty views it was about the war and evil republicans. Quite funny actually.
On Thursday we started the day with brekky in a San Fran
institution, Dotties ‘true blue café’. Huge, homely American food like pancakes, cornbread and eggs with homemade sausage and fresh grapefruit juice. Had to walk through a dodgy area of town to get there, but well worth it. Walking through this part of town we got to see another side of the city. Public signs to stop people touching newly painted fire hydrants said: “Wet paint- no foolin”. We went to the modern art gallery but most floors were closed. There were still some interesting pieces tho, such as the flayed bulls head in formaldehyde (?!). On our way out of the gallery café we looked out the window and guess who we spotted? Wally! (Known as Waldo over here). See if you can find him in the photo… |
Where's Wally?
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The weather was quite dodgy in the arvo so we rugged up and caught the street car to the Castro district. San Fran is the gay heart of the USA, and the Castro is the gay heart of San Fran. What a vibrant colourful suburb! We loved it, and wish we had have come earlier in the day. Harvey Milks old camera shop turned political office turned equal rights institution was definitely the highlight. It was incredible to stand out the front and imagine what it would have been like in the 70s; to be a part of that exciting movement and to appreciate how far we’ve come because of people like Harvey.
Found a cosy little café for dinner, where we had sangrias, beer and 3 huge delicious share plates that all came to a whopping $30. Such great value here!
Found a cosy little café for dinner, where we had sangrias, beer and 3 huge delicious share plates that all came to a whopping $30. Such great value here!