You know the scene already: golden hills and hot sun fused with a quintessential Californian cool. When I first booked my San Francisco holiday, I expected the American dream. The view from the plane presented my first glimpses of the Pacific: a turquoise mist that emanated the West Coast warmth we all recognise from the movies. A tiny outline of the Golden Gate Bridge followed, and electricity gripped my soul as it experienced something incredible for the first time. Here’s five reasons I still consider my holiday to San Francisco as one of my favourite US trips.
1. It’s easy to walk
(Or: Get a little lost.)
Ah, the walkable city. These days the term applies to anything with a road. I mean technically Mount Everest is walkable. That meant a San Francisco holiday needed to be given the Kenwood Travel test of walkability. I volunteered, and within the first mile I passed shops, cafés, restaurants and attractions in abundance. Particular highlights included the San Francisco Giants home stadium, the Coit Tower, and The Dragon Gates. In fact, walking was so easy I forgot where I was going. After a few hours of leather-footed sight seeing, I was lost. But that’s part of the fun isn’t it? Kenwood Travel test passed.
With a mix of elegant villas and towering skyscrapers, a San Francisco holiday sees the best of both worlds.
2. It’s friendly.
(Or: Fall over in a crowded place.)
If walking is still your thing, hotels like The Clift are in a great location for exploring the city from your doorstep. Otherwise there’s several ways to get around including trams, GoCars, bicycles or buses. On day two I chose the bicycle and pedalled from Golden Gate park to the famously crooked Lombard Street. From there, I cycled to the spellbinding Palace of Fine arts, then I cycled into a wall. The entire population of California rushed to see if I survived. Once the initial shock subsided, a sea of hands brought me to my feet and three bottles of water appeared before me. Out of my long list of scuffles (of which there’s been a few), the people of San Francisco were the kindest, and their compassion struck a chord with me. (Kenwood Travel still recommends being vigilant on your bicycle.)
3. It’s great for photographers.
(Or: Hike for a photo and get stranded.)
Go on, take a photo. Everybody else has. A holiday to San Francisco isn’t a holiday without the token Golden Gate Bridge picture. I blame no one: it’s the greatest engineering feat in the world, and it’s mind-meltingly photogenic. The walk to the bridge from Argonaut Hotel is awash with attractions any tourist can get excited about. This includes the world-famous Pier 39, museums, art galleries, and a performance-filled promenade. It’s enough to fill the whole day, and for me it did. By the time I reached the bridge, I’d forgotten the return trip. This meant cashing out on a tourist tour bus, the only means of getting home.
But I did get a cracking photo of the bridge.
Tram or cable car, call it what you want. It’s both a San Franciscan icon, and a great way to get around.
4. It has a rich history.
(Or: accidentally get a tour from a homeless man.)
Handlery Union Square Hotel places you in the heart of the city. This is the melting pot of San Francisco’s history. It’s the birth of the hippy culture and the Vietnam peace movement. To go back further, Union Square takes its name from Union soldiers rallying the city to their cause, and the rest is history. Nowadays no holiday to San Francisco should be without it. I know all this because a homeless man told me. Like a Civil War ghost, he appeared from nowhere and taught me about San Francisco icons like the must-see prison island of Alcatraz that once held Al Capone. Before I could even thank him, my homeless companion disappeared.
5. It’s just like home.
(Or: show up to the city in shorts and T-shirt as it starts raining.)
Let’s go back to my flight: the turquoise bay, the Golden Gate and the electricity in the air. After the plane landed, I nipped through security, grabbed my suitcase and headed towards the city in a daze. As soon as I stepped outside, however, it rained. Cue the disbelief. Oh yeah, San Francisco is known as The City of Fog. It’s in the name.
There’s this idea that the warmer the climate the better the trip, but I have to disagree. The fog, drizzle, and unpredictable weather patterns made my holiday to San Francisco authentic. It’s not a city for lounging around. It’s a place to explore, to discover, and to lose yourself. It’s somewhere to experience the atmosphere and to come back with incredible memories. Memories are exactly what I returned with, and that’s what makes The City of Fog my favourite American destination.
Images courtesy of the author.