Here’s my first sight of the Greater San Francisco when I landed in SFO:
Prior to finding out what really happened on the news, people on the plane were speculating that some other plane had crashed. This was two days before 9/11 back in 2010, so of course, people were on guard. But on Sept 9, 2010 ... huge gas pipeline exploded and basically obliterated this neighborhood in San Mateo. That's the smoke you're seeing from that gas pipeline explosion.
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Awesome, welcome to San Francisco (gas pipeline explosion – style!).
I had one full day when I visited San Francisco. One full day.
My friends who live in and around the city tell me it’s too short of a visit. I couldn’t agree more.
What to do with the one day? The traveler that I am, I tried cramming in as much as possible. And when I mean cramming, that only came out to be 10% to 15% of what the whole city has to offer. I think that’s pretty great for the short amount of time I was up against.
Here’s where I randomly went:
I stayed with my friend in Hillsdale, just south of San Mateo. Took the BART & Caltrain to get there. Glad to see that California isn't entirely a "driving state" as people make it out to be. Public transportation in San Francisco, from an outsider point of view: good enough to get me around! Basically explored from downtown San Francisco, all the way to San Jose.
Hillsdale Station @ Caltrain
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And within downtown San Francisco, the three main areas I explored included the Golden Gate Bridge & park, Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, and Mission & Folsom Streets.
Of course I had to make it towards the Golden Gate Bridge … it’s the iconic symbol of San Francisco. But on the way there, I meandered through some random neighborhoods near Mission & Folsom street, then to Chinatown, passing Fisherman’s Wharf, and on to Golden Gate Bridge.
What I love about random traveling, are the random travelers you meet. I met up with an awesome daughter/mom tourist from Central Valley California who were also checking out the city. We were horrible tourists, and got lost at every street corner … but it was great to get lost in San Francisco!
I love the views you get from any street corner in San Francisco. Totally dig the steep hills ... I guess until a big earthquake hits.
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Plaque that awaits to greet you once you reach the Golden Gate Bridge.
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And ... we get there, and sh-t, morning/noon fog still enshrouds the bridge. Fail.
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That's the little piece of the Golden Gate Bridge that I saw. This will be more of an excuse for me to return a visit to San Francisco!
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The fog with the tip of the Golden Gate Bridge poking out. View from Fisherman's Wharf.
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Look towards the upper left from my head, and the camera must have caught a large bird ready to dive into the wharf to catch its prey. Random!
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Hyde St. Pier @ Fisherman's Wharf
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Alcatraz & fog in the distance viewed from Fisherman's Wharf.
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Sadly, this was the last shot I took, before I accidently dropped my camera on the hard pavement (luckily, not into the wharf). So I didn't have any photos from the other half of my one day in San Francisco.
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So I only had one day to see San Francisco. Overview: I was greeted by some random distant explosion when my plane landed. I got lost every direction I was walking/transporting within downtown. Didn’t get to see the Golden Gate Bridge in its entirety. And dropped my camera on hard pavement. Could be many reasons to dampen my experience with San Francisco?
But honestly, I loved it. Maybe its because of the random people I met. Or maybe it’s because I could care less what could go wrong. But I know, that San Francisco and I will reunite.
And I’ll get that Golden Gate Bridge photo next time!
Have you ever been on a trip where things just simply went wrong?
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