San Francisco vacation… with flowers in your hands!

The wonderful road-trip continues.
After Hawaiian tropics we find ourselves in the startup nest, center of liberal waves – San Francisco vacation.
This city has its own spirit, which reflects also on the citizens there as well.
Our San Francisco vacation start late evening when we arrive from Honolulu and head to our apartment.
First impressions were of course for us very much different if we compare the city during the daylight.
Since, we arrived to San Francisco late night, we saw the city from a different perspective. Lets say it so – Not that appealing.
Or of course, could also be very much appealing for those that love it.
City center has a lot of drug dealers and drug addicts, drunk people around, and it is not so save to walk there during that hour.

Before we booked our apartment, we had a little look at the safety of various of districts in San Francisco, just to understand where we should book and where we should not.
It was obvious that areas such as Tenderloin. It is good for a tourist, who doesn’t want to risk it, to stay around Downtown, Union Square and Fisherman´s Wharf.
Also, what should be avoided if possible is public transport during the night. You never know about that.
We read forums, where locals told that it is better not, especially if you don’t know the district, you look like a tourist or if you are a woman. Do not!
Even if you are shopping on Union Square in Downtown, it is preferable to be careful, since a lot of pickpockets as in any other big city might be a possibility to happen.
Nevertheless, here were our warnings, and now it is time to move forward and talk about positive aspects of this wonderful city and our San Francisco vacation!

 

 

 

 

San Francisco Vacation: Places to see

 

Here we go with this new little chapter of the interesting places and attractions that you should visit and see during your San Francisco vacation.
Lets first of all mention Golden Gate Bridge.

 

 

Golden Gate Bridge

 

The bridge actually is located a bit further away from the center.
Takes a while to get there. Since it was my first time in San Francisco, this was something that I was imagining differently. I always thought that the Golden Gate Bridge is just in the center and you can get to the bridge by walking there from your hotel in the center.
Super windy as well on the bridge and it is very busy there with the cars.
The Golden Gate bridge is 4,8 km long. Before there was the Golden Gate Bridge, the connection between San Francisco and Marin County was done via ferry line.
There were discussions before the contract for building the new bridge across was settled. Reasons were mainly because the weather – strong winds, deep water etc.
The construction of the bridge started during 1933 and ended on 1937.
Interesting fact is that the color of the bridge was first proposed to be black with yellow stripes.
This would ensure a better visibility for the ships and ferries. Despite this, the color, Orange got the privilege to become the color of the famous Golden Gate Bridge.

 

 

Alcatraz

See our blog post about this famous prison here.

 

 

 

Fisherman´s Wharf or in other words Pier 39

 

We definitely spent there a couple of hours or even more. Very touristic, but in a positive way.
Interesting souvenir-stores, a bit overpriced as usually these stores are, but one might find unique souvenirs from there, not only some magnets and keyholders with a sign of San Francisco.
Restaurants offer a big range of different seafood dishes.

Honestly, we would not recommend to stay there for a dinner or lunch.
Overpriced and quality-wise maybe not the best, of course it depends. But it is a typical touristy place, so do not expect anything amazing for a relatively expensive price.
The atmosphere of Pier 39 is something you should experience.
Total lightness and easiness; street musicians, nice little stores, great weather and friendly people.
For sure, this is the place where you will feel how open-minded and in a way liberal San Francisco is actually.

 

 

 

 

 

Union Square

 

Very beautiful district. Many great stores, certainly a place for shopping.
Nevertheless it would not hurt to take a double look at your purses, since might occur pickpockets from time to time like in any other big city –crowded place.

 

 

 

China Town

 

We loved it. A long street that offers you everything: Chinese food, souvenirs, clothes, electronics and anything else in between.
We even saw on our San Francisco vacation a Chinese Matroshka there, which was funny.

 

 

 

 

Lombard Street

Located in a calm district, but cannot say the same about the streets.
The hills are just crazy and it feels that you are climbing to the sky.
We have some very cool and funny shots from there. Of course Lombard is just unique and beautiful. I would not mind to get an opportunity to live on that street for a week or two.

 

 

 

Palace of Fine Arts

 

This beautiful place located nearby district Richmond. Certainly worth for a visit.
We had few amazing pictures there.
The area looks very calm and somehow roaylish. Beautiful pastel-colored houses around also made the atmosphere even more fairytalish.

 

 

 

And lastly Painted Ladies

 

The architecture of San Francisco is of course unique and you cannot find anything similar anywhere else.
That is also one of the main reasons why we liked the city so much. It is very beautiful. The houses are well-design and each of them is unique. Check out these beautiful houses in the neighborhood of Haight-Ashbury.
This was our short blog-post about San Francisco vacation.
Briefly what we saw and what you should also consider to see on your next San Francisco vacation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In San Francisco always with some flowers in the hand – your travelling Birdie

See you soon with gigantic impressions from Yosemite National Park…

 

 

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Thank you sincerely, Birdie & Hendrik.