Off to San Francisco - the start of a journey

It was a long flight from Melbourne to San Francisco, 14 hours, only to arrive before we left!! Exhausting, and by the end of the stay in San Francisco, we’re still jet lagged. Fortunately, our hotel is over a lovely Italian restaurant and bar where we have a couple of shared plates: some lovely fresh bruschetta and fried calamari with coffee. This is to be our standby for dinner. Shared plates and a drink, a barman who gives us tips where to go, all within easy reach.

The San Remo Hotel, San Francisco

Our hotel, the San Remo hotel, coincidentally, is an old 1906 hotel. The rooms are small, basically furnished and comfortable. It’s quirky, old, but everything is there. The shared bathrooms and toilets are thoughtfully kitted out. We’re in the Abraham Lincoln room, it’s not named as such, but all the pictures on the walls, and there are plenty, are all related to Abraham Lincoln.

We’re near Fisherman’s Wharf, but it’s a very busy and touristy area which we tend to avoid. Riding the cable and trolley cars gets us around and we enjoy the sights.

The very enjoyable and very popular cable cars.

Our barman recommended Pat’s for breakfast, down the lane next to the hotel, Water St., where the houses have pot plants lining the footpath, creating a bit of greenery; and around the corner. This becomes our daily breakfast spot. Huge servings of eggs…done somehow…toast, fried potatoes and coffee, discovering on the last day the French toast with fruit.

Water St. A lovely stroll

The day is all about getting a sim card (thanks T-mobile), getting a replacement for the power cord that got forgotton (thanks Best Buy, but why didn’t you have the sim card?)  and organising our transport tickets for the three days. The cable card is just around the corner, empty early in the morning and a delightful ride. It does get busy later, but we have a gentle start to the day (with a 3 day pass).

Riding the cable car.

We ride the F trolley car to the Mission area, walked around Guerara and Valencia streets.

We finally head to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art for a good look around and lunch.

The SFMOMA! has some amazing art, the most amazing is the Louise Bourgeous spiders. A whole room full. Then a small room called the Paul Klee room where there is a small weaving by Anni Albers, along with drawings from Paul Klee and Anni Albers, highlighting the inspiration provided by the Bauhaus.

Back on the F trolley car, we head home for wine and pasta at the bar. Great! Then crash.

Memorial Day 

Day 3 is all about the Golden Gate Bridge. A bus ride to the Golden Gate car park, a check at the Tourist information bureau convinces us that we can walk from the bridge to Sauselito. This is true, however, the map that’s provided, which we have to photograph as there are no paper copies, isn’t as clear as it first seems, and it’s likely that not a lot of people do the walk. The walk across the bridge is spectacular and slightly unnerving. It’s very high and starts out very busy. About ¾ of an hour across, we see helicopters fly under the bridge and an eagle soaring at eye level.

The Golden Gate bridge from both ends.

 The walk to Sauselito does take us under the bridge to the old Fort Baker and provides a nice way into Sauselito which is a lovely, expensive tourist town, basically running along the edge of the water.

Sauselito

Lunch and ice-cream and then the ferry ride which provides great views of the bridge, Alcatraz and the city. Well worth it.

Alcatraz

The city.

I head off and find my yarn shop, buy some yarn and ride the buses.

Dinner is in the opposite direction at a lovely Sushi place and a night-cap drink at the bar.

Our last day is spent riding the cable cars. Firstly, to get to the City Hall area, where City Hall and the Public library are explored by Peter, and, I spend a lovely hour in the Asian Art Museum an incredible Asian Art collection following a talk about specific great pieces.

Catching the F trolley car to the Castro for lunch and back again to ride the last of the three cable car routes through the business district with spectacular views.

Time now for the public library, which is just around the corner from our hotel, which we’ve found yesterday!!

Drinks and eats at the bar, walk to Pier 39, catch the bus and seamlessly transfer to the Amtrak train for our journey to Portland. (NOT Seattle) The train journey is lovely, though sleeping on the top bunk is quite a feat, hard bed (my hips don’t like it), narrow and no head room. Apart from that the facilities are fine. 

Our trusty map!