Good Morning Friends,
It's Travel Tuesday again! Today I am sharing one of my favorite all time spots to visit, the city by the Bay- San Francisco. It is a great place for a day trip or an extended vacation. I was there for just a few hours this time, so this post will cover the 5 places I visited in 5 hours. These are the most popular attractions. I know these are not new to most people. Some day I hope to take time to find some of the hidden treasure of the city.
I suggest you go on a weekday if it is a one day trip, and wait until 9:30 am to hit the road. Starting north of the city and working our way south, seemed to work well with the traffic flow. Amazingly, we didn't get stuck sitting in gridlock!
1) The Golden Gate Bridge:
I have been fortunate to visit this bridge several times. However I have never had the chance to walk across it. We walked half way and turned around- the wind OH MY! My alma mater is only a 90 minute drive from SFO. I spent 4 years of college in Stockton, and we would often take weekend trips to the bay area. It is a very special place to me, and there is always something new to discover.
There is just something about this view, it pretty much takes your breath away. Euphoria is the only way to describe what you feel when you first see it. When you visit, be sure to dress warm. Don't be silly girl like me and wear a skirt, the July sun had me fooled! Even though it can be warm down in the city, it's always cool by the bridge.
What makes the view so unique is the bridge always appears to be suspended in mid air, among the clouds. I suppose it can be seen on a clear day too, but it's never happened for me. The Golden Gate Bridge opened on May 19th 1937. I was reading up on history of it a few years ago , and discovered it opened on the very day my dad was born, a special place indeed.

The big rock sitting on the side, is so unique. Not sure if anyone has attempted to climb it, I had a fleeting thought about getting a boat and riding out to it...ha! Oh wow, the photo shoot you could get standing on top of that thing!
If you do walk or bike ride across the bridge, hold on tight to all your belongings. My camera almost ended up in the bay, the wind about ripped it out of my hand!

2) Lombard Street:
Your visit is not complete with out a trip to Lombard street. Walking or driving, it's a beautiful view from the most crooked street in the world ! This famous one block section had 8 hairpin turns, and is located along the eastern part of a neighborhood called Russian Hill. I always take the easy way( or should I say "lazy" way) and get out of the car at the top , then walk down. Next time I will have to hike It upward, good exercise.
The houses are something to behold, oh my living here would be the ultimate! Well for some chunk change in the amount of 4 million ,one of these gorgeous homes can be yours.
3) Pier 39-Fisherman's Wharf:
This is probably my favorite place in San Fransisco. So much to do and see, and the food choices are amazing! Whatever type of cuisine you are craving, it's here! The people watching is entertaining as well as the zany street performers.
Pier 39 also has a ton of unique shops, a video arcade, virtual 3D rides, an aquarium, and boat tours galore. On most days you can see the huge sea lions being lazy and getting their suntan on. The view of Alcatraz from the pier is quite amazing. As I mentioned earlier I have been to SFO a number of times, but have never taken the tour of the jail bird island. I hear its quite interesting!
A big hit with the kiddos is the two-story carousel( and big kids like me!). It's always fun to be like a child again, if only for a few minutes!
Both of my kids are left handed, so we always stop at the lefty store on. I was left handed when I started writing, but my dad forced me to be right handed. He said in the 60's it was considered to be a deficit( or disability). That sounds so crazy- left handed people are usually very creative.
4) The Painted Ladies:
The largest of the painted ladies was the most recent one to sell in 2010. It sits on the corner of Steiner and Grove streets and has ornate Italian touches.
That's it of my 5 hour tour. For a comprehensive list of things to do in San Fransisco visit SFGate, a great resource for planning your trip.
5) Cable Car Ride:
The Union Square route is tops in my book, as there is a ton of stuff to see there . The shopping is wonderful. There is a huge mall with several stories at the end of the cable car line. The cable cars are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The cable car station is located in close proximity to the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory. Go grab some chocolate to munch on before you get in line, it usually a long wait for the ride.
That's it for my 5 hour tour. For a comprehensive list of things to do in San Francisco visit SFGate, a great resource for planning your trip.
San Fran has been on my bucket list to explore for years! I love all the places you chose to review!
ReplyDeleteThank you RK, it's def a must see, I wish I lived close to it!
DeleteManually operated?! I'm not sure if I'm ready for all of that. I've only been to California one time and that was to San Diego. I really want to get back and visit San Francisco and LA. I'd love to go to the bridge and prayerfully walk across it in its entirety. Thanks for letting me know that it's possible to get some great activities in even when you're short on time. I'm going to pin this!
ReplyDeleteHa yes that cable car is a bit scary ..if you are scared of heights not a good choice.. thanks for pinning CJ!
DeleteWhat a fun trip! I have always wanted to go to San Fransisco!
ReplyDeleteThank you..be sure you go..it is such a fun place!
DeleteI've never really considered San Francisco as one of my travel destinations, but your post just convince me that I should definitely add it to the list! It seems like such a cute place.
ReplyDeleteHi Amelie, yes for sure you should plan a visit there is so much more to see than I have covered here!
DeleteSan Francisco is such a fantastic city! I used to travel there for work quite a bit, and just love exploring all of the neighborhoods. The food scene is fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteHow Cool Marlynn, I would love to have a job that I could travel there often...I need to explore more of the hidden places!
DeleteLombard Street is definitely not something I had heard of before today and would totally be up my alley! Also the cable car!! One day I'll get to go, the wind I could do without!
ReplyDeleteHa wow I thought the cable cars were will known, but perhaps not! The wind yes not so great but the rest of it is amazing!
Deletemy best friend is getting married in san fran next summer so my husband and I are making a trip! I'm gathering everything San Fran related to make it the best trip possible so THANK YOU for your tips! I cannot wait to explore the places you listed!
ReplyDeleteOh yay for you Kristen..I know you will love it.. so much to do ..I haven't even scratched the surface here.thanks for stopping in!
DeleteI love San Francisco! These are all great spots, and can be done so quickly!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many more spots..I wish I had time to find them all, some day! It is so lovely isn't it!
DeleteLove all of your pictures and the fashion recommendations. Pinned this!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much girl for stopping by again and for pinning, see ya in the pod!
DeleteAs a SF local, I'd say you hit 5 big attractions for a day in the city! So many things to do, but these are some of my favorite :)
ReplyDeleteThank you....these are the most well known, I wish I knew all the hidden ones, never have time to get to them!
DeleteI love SF! I've been there twice. I could move there honestly. I also enjoyed going on a wine tour.
ReplyDeleteHi Mistle. I hear ya...I feel exactly the same! I would love one of those Victorian houses sitting on a hill! Ohhh a wine tour sounds amazing!
DeleteSan Francisco is one of my all time fave cities :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a fav of mine too, well I pretty much love all of CA except Bakersfield and the very northern part is kind of yucky....lol
DeleteI absolutely love San Fran. Good tips!
ReplyDeleteYes one of the best...I love SoCal too! thank you!
DeleteI'm dying to travel to San Francisco! These all look like awesome spots to check out.
ReplyDeleteKayla | kaylablogs.com
Kayla just like me dying to visit Europe..which is much more spendy..thanks for coming by..happy travels!
DeleteI've always wanted to go to San Francisco. I love your list. I'd definitely go to all of these places. I'd love to go on the cable cars. x
ReplyDeleteThank you Chloe! I Hope you make it someday soon!
Deletexo
This makes me really regret not driving through San Fran on our road trip from Seattle to San Diego! We almost did but it would have added a couple of hours to the journey. I think it would have been worth it!
ReplyDeleteAh Brittany, I hear that one...sometimes we skip it because of this very reason...it is totally worth it, hope you can next time!
DeleteSan Francisco is a city I can't wait to visit. This is definitely a great guide for visiting when you're short on time!
ReplyDeleteHi Sky thank you for stopping by I hope you get to go..!
DeleteAll these sights look amazing! I visited Los Angeles this summer and would've loved to go to San Francisco. I can't wait to go there soon.
ReplyDeleteDaisi Ari || http://www.onthecolorfulside.com/
Hey Daisi, I love LA..I am hoping to move south to there or San Diego...I hope you make it to San Fran..its just gorgeous!
DeleteI've been to SF many times and absolutely love it there! I haven't been to Lombard Street in a while since it's always so busy. SF is such a beautiful city!
ReplyDeletePolly
http://gemsandjoy.com
Hi Polly , it had been quite a few years for me since visiting Lombard street..its just so breathtaking up there! Thank you for the visit!
DeleteThose are all great things to do in SF! Such a shame the bridge was so windy, but at least you tried it. I went Sailing when I was there and it was fabulous. Your style guides are on point. Love the nautical look!
ReplyDeleteThank you Miss K! It is terribly , makes a little hard to enjoy it as much..0h well the scenery was worth putting up with the wind!
DeleteLove this! I really love San Francisco and definitely would add getting out to the city across the water. Love the outfit inspiration and wish I had gone all nautical when there. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen for your kind words...I wish I had to...I just dressed quick and took off since it was just a day trip....happy travels!
DeleteValerie
Wow! You can pack a lot in, in just a short amount of time. I loved your photos, especially the painted ladies. What a great tour. I love your style guide at the end as well!
ReplyDeleteThank you Susanna, sorry I Just now saw this! So great you stopped by!
DeleteWow.. great ideas, will surely visit pier 39 and do the cable car ride the next time I'm in the city
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, I hope you have a great time in SFO!
DeleteThis has happened to me before with the wind too! You've got to watch your stuff especially on bridges
ReplyDeleteYes the wind on this bridge is crazy, ha!
DeleteFor some reasons every time we plan to go to the US, I panic that we need a long holiday off work, that there's so much to see and do. Glad you posted this - makes me a little more relaxed that I could see a lot in a few hours if I wanted to.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by..yes it is certainly doable in just a few hours!
DeleteI love San Francisco, so I have been a few times. I have not been to the painted ladies though! I think my favorite place in the city might be the Cliff House which is North of Golden Gate park. Have you been?
ReplyDeleteHI Anisa,
DeleteOh ..no I have not heard of that..we are going again soon, I will have to check that out..thank you!
Can't believe you did all these in 5 hours!!! I had a layover couple months ago in SF for about that time and I really wanted to leave the airport except I heard traffic can get pretty crazy at times so I bailed. Totally regretting it now!
ReplyDeleteYeah it was pretty crazy but we managed and it was awesome! Next time give it a try!
DeleteVAlerie
What a cool list of things to do all in one day! I especially love those painted ladies!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarah..I am glad it was informative...it's a lot, but so doable with planning ahead!
DeleteV
Good tip about the wind! I'm very slight of build and easily blown off my feet!
ReplyDeleteOh my ..be careful on the bridges girl!
DeleteIt's funny that I live here and I have still never been over to that famous section of Lombard Street. I need to force myself to check it out one day.
ReplyDeletewow that is crazy..ha ha, but I get it! There are several places in WA ..popular sights..that I have never visited and I live close by!
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The "touristy" sites in San Francisco never get old. I could visit that perfect photo spot at the Golden Gate Bridge 100 times and never get tired of it. Great post!
ReplyDelete