San Francisco was a memorable trip…I diversified it as much as possible to get the full experience! This was a girls trip with my wonderful friend Mary who was willing to go adventuring with me a few years back. We did a lot, and I took tons of pictures, and I’m so glad I did!! I was in San Francisco for a few days when I was a kid and then again as a young ambitious fashion-design-focused college student, so going back as an adult was a really nice experience. We saw a lot in 4 days! So, here are some of my top suggestions to look into for the future San Fran traveler:
1. The Redwood Forest
We caught a tour bus downtown San Francisco to get to the Redwood forest…and it was amazing. As soon as we got off the bus, the smell of eucalyptus hits you, such a wonderful fresh smell! Redwoods…there’s no tree like them which is why I had to see one. They are resistant to rot and fire and date back all the way to the Jurassic period. Their bark can be a foot thick which helps protect it from the elements, and bugs! Pretty amazing that a tree can have such a tough defense system. It is the tallest tree on earth, so imagine standing in the middle of this forest… you feel so incredibly small. It is an experience I tell everyone to do if they are heading that way and is something I’d like to do with my husband in the future 🙂 You might wonder what happened to all of the Redwoods as they used to cover most of California… we cut them down due to their rugged and durable tree trunks. I hope that the Redwood forest stays in tact and full of life forever, it is a place full of living ecosystems and foresty breezes and peaceful sounds. If you’ve ever seen Ferngully, it reminded me a lot of that movie from way back when. I kept thinking I was going to see a forest sprite flying around, or a magical tree nymph 🙂 If they exist, they surely live here. This is a GREAT website that tells the story behind Redwoods, worth a read
Looking to do the tour?? Book it!! It’s something everyone visiting San Fran should experience…there’s no place like it
2. Bike Tours Are My Jam
Why do a bike tour?? It sure beats walking!! We did our fair share of that, too, but the bike tours are always the best time ever…especially going down those classic San Fran hills. The tour was a good sized group, our tour guide took us all over through various neighborhoods. The highlight of the tour?? The Full House house! I, like most people in the early 90’s, grew up watching Full House so seeing the home they featured in the intro was very cool. We really enjoyed this… we biked thru neighborhoods we otherwise never would have seen. Colorful and full of California charm…
Here’s a bike tour to consider when planning your exploration of San Francisco
3. China Town
I had toured China Town for a college project way back in 2001. So going back was very nostalgic. It is America’s oldest China Town, its beginnings date back to 1822. The very first private home, an adobe, was built in China Town. Grant Avenue, the main street in China Town, was San Fran’s first street. I mean, if you love history and finding out why things are there and when did they first appear, this is a great place to explore! And, if you love delicious Chinese food…which I do…this is a part of town you can’t miss. There are tours that you can participate in, but for us, it was nice to just leisurely walk in and out of stores and stop for lunch.
4. Landmarks & Restaurants…Of Course!
The Golden Gate bridge is the one thing everyone has to see when visiting, no excuses. We decided that the best way to see it was on a boat! We did a day tour that took us out on the bay and under the bridge…prepare for wind!! It’s a breezy experience 🙂 Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 are also popular places to check out if only to see the seals sunbathing. There are numerous restaurants to try here…. I’ve made a short list to help with your research (only the best seafood will do!):
San Fran has remarkable architecture, delicious food, and a unique culture that everyone should feel, savor, and experience.
Now, some places I travel to aren’t exactly what I envision in my head…this one of those places. A heads-up for San Fran Travelers…
I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t put a warning out there for travelers planning a visit. San Francisco, in my opinion, was a lot like Portland, Oregon. There are a lot of homeless people living on the streets, in parks, and common grassy spaces (I am unaware how the pandemic affected things, but perhaps it has changed ). This was shocking to me as I wasn’t expecting it. There are no pictures of this when you book tours or hotels, ya know?
When my friend and I walked from our hotel to get coffee in the mornings, what I remember most is seeing syringes on the sidewalk. When we left for the airport, on our cab ride out of town I saw a man completely exposed with his pants down standing by the side of the road. Yes there are beautiful areas in San Fran, and yes the tours are incredible. But, know that this isn’t a trip without the seedier side of life all around you. There are gorgeous, expensive neighborhoods right next to a park with people living and sleeping on benches and under trees in tents. You just have to be careful, and you have to be aware of your surroundings. Make good choices about where you go and when. She and I did not go walking around at night, we did all of our exploring during the day and then hunkered down with a bottle of wine in our fabulous boutique hotel courtyard after dinner. We always took an Uber or cab at night to our dinner destinations. San Francisco is a place with lots of history and remarkable scenery, just plan your trip wisely.
With that being said…
Enjoy yourself, see some things, order a HUGE plate of crab legs, and be safe
#GoAdventure
Heather
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