I used to love the tenderloin
Till I made some tender corn
Then I met some ladies from Marin
We took the highway to the One
Up the coast to catch some sun
They left me with these blisters on my skin
Don’t know what I was on but I think it grows in Oregon
So, I kept on going, going, gone right through
I drove into Seattle rain, fell in love then missed the train
That could have took me right back home to you
I been high
I been low
I been yes
And I been oh hell no
I been rock ‘n roll and disco
Won’t you save me San Francisco
– Train
Monday 12 June 2023
As predicted, after next-to-no sleep last night, I didn’t wake up until my alarm went off just on 6:30am.
A grey morning in the City by the Bay, and cool, but perfect for walking. Our hotel is quite close to Fisherman’s Wharf and the network of pathways that lead from there towards the Golden Gate and the famous orange-red bridge that spans the waterway. Through Fort Mason and the Marina Green, with brilliant views of the bridge every step of the way, I made it to the Palace of Fine Arts and Crissy Field before turning around. Just a tick over 7km by the time I got back, and it was much-needed after not much exercise (and tasty but largely bad-for-you food) yesterday.
Our hotel – the Comfort Inn – has a decent complimentary breakfast available. Nice to just be able to eat cereal like I enjoy doing, rather than going to some places here where that isn’t an option. The hotel is definitely closer to the budget end of the scale rather than luxurious, but it’s comfortable, clean and in a good location. Plus, the price was reasonable.
We walked down to Pier 39 after breakfast and got on a cruise to Alcatraz Island aka The Rock, the famous/infamous federal penitentiary that was the enforced home of many of America’s most hardened and violent criminals. Before that, it was a military installation and penitentiary, and now, of course, is a National Park, that draws hundreds of people daily – all the tours were sold out when we got to the wharf, lucky we booked well in advance, If you like your history with a side of city and bay views, this is the one for you.
After about two hours on the island, we took the ten-minute ferry ride back to Pier 39 and had lunch at Bubba Gump, the mostly-seafood restaurant inspired by the Tom Hanks film Forrest Gump. Decent food (I had the jambalaya and a bowl of clam chowder) but amazing San Francisco Bay views.
The famous Pier 39 sea lions were next on our list, then it was a short walk over to Taylor Street where the iconic cable car to Union Square downtown leaves from. It’s quite a ride up and down the steep streets that separate Fisherman’s Wharf from the heart of San Francisco, especially if you’re riding on the side – always a fun trip, and a must-do if you’re in this city.
A quick detour to Bloomingdale’s so Kat could buy a handbag, then a walk around Union Square before returning to Fisherman’s Wharf on the cable car. This time, Kat and I were riding at the back, with the brake man, which was a very entertaining experience. Tired tonight. Lots of walking. An early night tonight because we have a very early departure tomorrow for Yosemite!
kitchtrips 