I just came back from SFO and it was amazing. No, it didn't beat seattle my home my love my lazyboys were missed terribly and most of all I missed my simple Indian chapatis. Anyways, lets get back to exciting gorgeous SFO. All the tales are true, its casual its hip they do have no smile on the sidewalk policy along with worst food ever. It kind of reminded me of delhi in like a rude non caring way with better food.
Lets get to the good part though. It truly is scenic . We wandered around like 5 days and still couldn't see every part of city. So I went with my husband who had to work for like 2 weeks and I was free to roam around. I don't really go beyond 1 mile radius, I got anxiety issues you know.
Things you must do in SFO :
1) Ferry building farmers market : I didn't know where I was heading expecting a farmers market. Its so beautiful, the whole building is set near water. You see bay bridge . Where else can you grab lunch sit on a rotating chair and just get lost in view. Its pretty amazing. It looks grand in the night. If you go SFO, do go there. I was in financial district, for me it was a few blocks. Then there are people smoking and you are lucky if you get borrowed stoned. I went there alone, its seriously like a must do. Go alone sit out and just let go. Its so surreal. Do try the french toast there. If you love booze, take your own or sit in one of the cool restaurants by the bay.
2) Tuesday museums : There are so many museums you can go to on free tuesdays. Check the ones around you and just go. I am not the museum kind, I hate reading things and photos blah blah. I saw jewish contemporary museum, it was moving. The music collection is awesome there. You can just sit and listen to all these legendary people performing or getting interviewed. Its rad. Its kind of soothing seeing monuments museums alone. It gives you your own perspective. You don't feel swayed by others interests or boredom or schedules. Its just you hanging around. I think de young would be great too. If its free and you got time, why not explore?
3) Golden gate bridge : Its like a tourist tick off. You know what, do go there. Its such an architecture beauty in its cold foggy form. Seriously, if you get time, walk on the bridge or go for a run. Its pretty cool to hang out around. There is a cafe there, go have coffee there.
4) Muir woods: Muir woods needs like a day. If you like to hike or just walk around in woods looking for ocean, this one is for you. The trees are mesmerizing and trails are a new hiker's dream. Start in morning, be there by 9 or 10 and spend a day with mother nature. Its super peaceful and easy to reach. We didn't wanna go back to city. Always wear layers so if it gets hot you can be comfortable. Don't take pics just soak it in with your personal eyes camera. Do buy the map, it comes handy. Carry those nutritious bars and empty water bottle.
5) Take a tour bus : I would be the last person to ever take a tour bus. Its so old people n just lame you know like something my parents would do. They have hop on hop off buses, we took city sightseeing tours which turned out to be the best decision . They have several tours, you can be in bus soaring through golden gate listening to history of it. You can go around victorian houses or just downtown hearing city's badass girls stories. How they work is you pay a certain amount and then they give you two days to use your passes for n number of tours your time and energy allows. They have buses passing through certain spots every hour, just hop off when you want to spend more time somewhere. Its totally worth the money. Do go for downtown tour with sparkle, golden gate tour and beach parks tour. We missed the night tour as we were really exhausted. They sometimes give you options like add 3 attractions which is always beneficial. There are shuttles that take you to muir woods, its convenient option to go around an unknown city. I am getting older I guess.
6) Fisherman's wharf : I didn't really like this one, its got the views and all no doubt but its itchy. It comes on like top of the tourist pyramid. The only thing that took me back there were sea lions, omg these smug lazy creatures are super adorable. They remind me of me just lying around doing nothing. They are awesome and the fact that they are there because of their own free will makes it more fun. There are performers all around the place.
7) Bay aquarium monterey : We didn't go there, it was like we almost booked but still couldn't make it. Its a bit far from sfo so you do need more time on hand. If you can drive to this one, do that. Its one of the best aquariums in country. If you can, do try it out.
8) Laze around in park : Take your favorite book, go to one of the many parks in sfo and just read. For book readers, this place is heaven. They have so many beautiful parks in the middle of city. You do not even have to drive, every other block there is a park with 6 packs groups. These people do come out of like a factory, well sculpted 8 pack perfect hair jawline machinery. Ask them to run and they will reach golden gate in like an hour. Hmmm paradise. Better go grace cathedral church, its sooooo nice there. Then take the stairs down and go fisherman's wharf. I am telling you, you will see best places when you are not looking at map. Let your soul wander :)
9) Land's end : Ohh one of my favorite places there. If I could, I would spend every morning evening there. Its perfect, its got beautiful beach with rocky mountains and perfect excuse for an average hike. When you go through trail, it gives you wonderful views of the area. The cafe there serves nice food too, buy some sit on the ledge and you will be the luckiest person on earth. Do go early, if it gets hot its not much fun anywhere. Aquatic park beach looked nice too for just hanging around.
10) Booze n food : For god's sake don't try indian. We tried and it was awful, its just not worth it except may be in curry leaf which was good. Try salad bars. Try mo's grill brunch kind of places for french toast and greasy food after hangover. After our golden gate tour, we were really cold n shivering as bus was open and its super cold windy out there. What helped us was irish coffee and sweet potato fries in the irish times pub. It was yummy. Booze helps you know with the cold. Then there is marengo on the alley, their absinthe drink is amazing. We are vegetarians so not a lot works for us. Do not try chinese food there unless its a posh restaurant. Its either bland or cooked in sticky oil. Also small shop delis are not good, specially the ones serving wraps with falafel and other arabic stuff. If you are out of options, go subway. It sucks but at least its guilt free. I wouldn't recommend food trucks too. Customer service is bad here, they don't smile they don't even care if you like or dislike.
I liked this city but I would never ever want to live there. First of all there are so many chinese people there and they are all fucking rude. They just stare back. Then there is no smile policy which really bugs me. There is no customer priority in restaurants and their health inspection rating sucks. So its more like a street food place and if they are serving posh, it will be a little bland. I have not tried all the restaurants so I could be very wrong . Same sandwich in seattle specialty is so better than sfo specialty. Subs major chains all of them have attitude but no effort goes in bothering for quality or customer experience. Then there are homeless too with so many pigeons poop lying around. Its filthy. Cab drivers shout around. There is no professionalism. Our safeway is much better than them.
Suburbs are beautiful though. If you are living there, I envy you and your ocean view with golden gate park.
California academy of science is overrated and so are other attractions.On weekends, california academy gets noisy with screaming kids just sticking to fishes. Its not that great of an experience. I didn't like bay cruise too. It was just like riding lake cruise anywhere else. They do take you under golden gate but its not a good experience. People make it more annoying with selfies and constant pics. Chinatown is bad, its just a bunch of shops filled with random similar stuff. Its not worth the time. I mean its like those small shops outside tajmahal in agra. Nah, I am not going to any chinatown again. Cable museum is noisy and there is not much to see.
If I ever do go back, I would definitely go aquarium monterey and go full hiking in muir woods. I will try alcatraz night tour and angel island for a day. Another thing that I missed would be zoo. And lastly I just didn't get time to see hippie district which I so badly wanted to. So yeah that hmmm may be the twin peaks too. This calls for another 2 week assignment I guess.
What to pack for SFO? I would say a few cool sweaters, hoodies for when it gets little cold and a vintage leather jacket with awesome skinny leggings or jeans. Take cap sunglasses whatever your gear is for sun protection. Wear shoes as you might want to hike around. I accidentally packed a winter cap even that got used. Dress cool, accessorize. Yeah carry hairband ponytail things for bridge. Carry like cool tshirts. Its gonna be a blast. The place is super casual.
How to go around? Use train, its super convenient, take muni ticket and then just ride around. I wish I did it. But me n my anxiety never take me far. Even buses trains look worn out here and they smell geez.
Have fun. Life's meant to be wandering around. Don't fuck it up in office.
Lets get to the good part though. It truly is scenic . We wandered around like 5 days and still couldn't see every part of city. So I went with my husband who had to work for like 2 weeks and I was free to roam around. I don't really go beyond 1 mile radius, I got anxiety issues you know.
Things you must do in SFO :
1) Ferry building farmers market : I didn't know where I was heading expecting a farmers market. Its so beautiful, the whole building is set near water. You see bay bridge . Where else can you grab lunch sit on a rotating chair and just get lost in view. Its pretty amazing. It looks grand in the night. If you go SFO, do go there. I was in financial district, for me it was a few blocks. Then there are people smoking and you are lucky if you get borrowed stoned. I went there alone, its seriously like a must do. Go alone sit out and just let go. Its so surreal. Do try the french toast there. If you love booze, take your own or sit in one of the cool restaurants by the bay.
2) Tuesday museums : There are so many museums you can go to on free tuesdays. Check the ones around you and just go. I am not the museum kind, I hate reading things and photos blah blah. I saw jewish contemporary museum, it was moving. The music collection is awesome there. You can just sit and listen to all these legendary people performing or getting interviewed. Its rad. Its kind of soothing seeing monuments museums alone. It gives you your own perspective. You don't feel swayed by others interests or boredom or schedules. Its just you hanging around. I think de young would be great too. If its free and you got time, why not explore?
3) Golden gate bridge : Its like a tourist tick off. You know what, do go there. Its such an architecture beauty in its cold foggy form. Seriously, if you get time, walk on the bridge or go for a run. Its pretty cool to hang out around. There is a cafe there, go have coffee there.
4) Muir woods: Muir woods needs like a day. If you like to hike or just walk around in woods looking for ocean, this one is for you. The trees are mesmerizing and trails are a new hiker's dream. Start in morning, be there by 9 or 10 and spend a day with mother nature. Its super peaceful and easy to reach. We didn't wanna go back to city. Always wear layers so if it gets hot you can be comfortable. Don't take pics just soak it in with your personal eyes camera. Do buy the map, it comes handy. Carry those nutritious bars and empty water bottle.
5) Take a tour bus : I would be the last person to ever take a tour bus. Its so old people n just lame you know like something my parents would do. They have hop on hop off buses, we took city sightseeing tours which turned out to be the best decision . They have several tours, you can be in bus soaring through golden gate listening to history of it. You can go around victorian houses or just downtown hearing city's badass girls stories. How they work is you pay a certain amount and then they give you two days to use your passes for n number of tours your time and energy allows. They have buses passing through certain spots every hour, just hop off when you want to spend more time somewhere. Its totally worth the money. Do go for downtown tour with sparkle, golden gate tour and beach parks tour. We missed the night tour as we were really exhausted. They sometimes give you options like add 3 attractions which is always beneficial. There are shuttles that take you to muir woods, its convenient option to go around an unknown city. I am getting older I guess.
6) Fisherman's wharf : I didn't really like this one, its got the views and all no doubt but its itchy. It comes on like top of the tourist pyramid. The only thing that took me back there were sea lions, omg these smug lazy creatures are super adorable. They remind me of me just lying around doing nothing. They are awesome and the fact that they are there because of their own free will makes it more fun. There are performers all around the place.
7) Bay aquarium monterey : We didn't go there, it was like we almost booked but still couldn't make it. Its a bit far from sfo so you do need more time on hand. If you can drive to this one, do that. Its one of the best aquariums in country. If you can, do try it out.
8) Laze around in park : Take your favorite book, go to one of the many parks in sfo and just read. For book readers, this place is heaven. They have so many beautiful parks in the middle of city. You do not even have to drive, every other block there is a park with 6 packs groups. These people do come out of like a factory, well sculpted 8 pack perfect hair jawline machinery. Ask them to run and they will reach golden gate in like an hour. Hmmm paradise. Better go grace cathedral church, its sooooo nice there. Then take the stairs down and go fisherman's wharf. I am telling you, you will see best places when you are not looking at map. Let your soul wander :)
9) Land's end : Ohh one of my favorite places there. If I could, I would spend every morning evening there. Its perfect, its got beautiful beach with rocky mountains and perfect excuse for an average hike. When you go through trail, it gives you wonderful views of the area. The cafe there serves nice food too, buy some sit on the ledge and you will be the luckiest person on earth. Do go early, if it gets hot its not much fun anywhere. Aquatic park beach looked nice too for just hanging around.
10) Booze n food : For god's sake don't try indian. We tried and it was awful, its just not worth it except may be in curry leaf which was good. Try salad bars. Try mo's grill brunch kind of places for french toast and greasy food after hangover. After our golden gate tour, we were really cold n shivering as bus was open and its super cold windy out there. What helped us was irish coffee and sweet potato fries in the irish times pub. It was yummy. Booze helps you know with the cold. Then there is marengo on the alley, their absinthe drink is amazing. We are vegetarians so not a lot works for us. Do not try chinese food there unless its a posh restaurant. Its either bland or cooked in sticky oil. Also small shop delis are not good, specially the ones serving wraps with falafel and other arabic stuff. If you are out of options, go subway. It sucks but at least its guilt free. I wouldn't recommend food trucks too. Customer service is bad here, they don't smile they don't even care if you like or dislike.
I liked this city but I would never ever want to live there. First of all there are so many chinese people there and they are all fucking rude. They just stare back. Then there is no smile policy which really bugs me. There is no customer priority in restaurants and their health inspection rating sucks. So its more like a street food place and if they are serving posh, it will be a little bland. I have not tried all the restaurants so I could be very wrong . Same sandwich in seattle specialty is so better than sfo specialty. Subs major chains all of them have attitude but no effort goes in bothering for quality or customer experience. Then there are homeless too with so many pigeons poop lying around. Its filthy. Cab drivers shout around. There is no professionalism. Our safeway is much better than them.
Suburbs are beautiful though. If you are living there, I envy you and your ocean view with golden gate park.
California academy of science is overrated and so are other attractions.On weekends, california academy gets noisy with screaming kids just sticking to fishes. Its not that great of an experience. I didn't like bay cruise too. It was just like riding lake cruise anywhere else. They do take you under golden gate but its not a good experience. People make it more annoying with selfies and constant pics. Chinatown is bad, its just a bunch of shops filled with random similar stuff. Its not worth the time. I mean its like those small shops outside tajmahal in agra. Nah, I am not going to any chinatown again. Cable museum is noisy and there is not much to see.
If I ever do go back, I would definitely go aquarium monterey and go full hiking in muir woods. I will try alcatraz night tour and angel island for a day. Another thing that I missed would be zoo. And lastly I just didn't get time to see hippie district which I so badly wanted to. So yeah that hmmm may be the twin peaks too. This calls for another 2 week assignment I guess.
What to pack for SFO? I would say a few cool sweaters, hoodies for when it gets little cold and a vintage leather jacket with awesome skinny leggings or jeans. Take cap sunglasses whatever your gear is for sun protection. Wear shoes as you might want to hike around. I accidentally packed a winter cap even that got used. Dress cool, accessorize. Yeah carry hairband ponytail things for bridge. Carry like cool tshirts. Its gonna be a blast. The place is super casual.
How to go around? Use train, its super convenient, take muni ticket and then just ride around. I wish I did it. But me n my anxiety never take me far. Even buses trains look worn out here and they smell geez.
Have fun. Life's meant to be wandering around. Don't fuck it up in office.
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