#37 Not being a backpacker in San Francisco

After sadly leaving Lima and South America I set off to Lima airport for my next adventure as such. A flight from Lima to Florida (a brief two hour stopover) and then onto San Francisco for five days on my way to South East Asia. I had always wanted to come to San Francisco and had an even better reason to go as my Aunty and Uncle have lived there since they were in their twenties..so what better time to go than the present! With two tour guides and a free place to stay at my disposal, I left the itinerary up to Harvey and Lynda, who are definitely not the typical retired aunty and uncle who like strolls around the block, bingo and a quiet life. They are great fun who love hiking, good food, parties and my uncles main passion and first love being Spurs which he dedicates a lot of his time to (having set up the official San Francisco supporters club about twelve years ago). Anyway this is what I got up to over the five days in the friendly, sunny and interesting city.

Day 1:
After a long flight from Peru:
Tour around their neighbourhood of Noe Valley
Walked up Height street, the official hipster neighbourhood which is full of cafes, weed, Tibetan gift shops, vintage clothes and smoke shops. Also an amazing record shop called Amoeba music full of vinyls
Walked into golden gate park at the end of Height street
Chinese lunch at Alice's in Noe Valley
Drinks in Danny Coyles Irish bar where I of course met fellow Irish friends

Golden Gate Bridge view from Twin peaks

Day 2:
Got up early and drove up to Twin Peaks for views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco city.
Drove to the small town of Fairfax and had Italian coffee and the best biscotti I think I've ever had.
We met up with my aunty and uncles very interesting (hilarious) Armenian friend George and went for a hike around the lakes in National park Mount Tam. We saw the massive red wood trees and I almost had a heart attack when a snake (a very small snake) crossed our path.
After the hike we went for Thai food in Fairfax and I had a very tasty red curry (the first curry I have had in months).
That evening we went to another Irish bar in Noe Valley called The Dubliner and I met a college friend of my mums who now lives in San Francisco
We went and had steak and wine in the Savoy Restaurant in Noe Valley

Beautiful Mount Tam 

Day 3
Got up at 6am to go and watch Spurs Vs Burnley premier league match with my uncle in Danny Coyles for a 7am kick off! I even wore a San Francisco official Spurs supporters t-shirt (the first and probably last time). The pub was packed with my uncles friends and fellow Spurs supporters, it was a great atmosphere. Luckily Spurs were victorious!

Post match victory 

 

Later that morning we went to Ocean Beach and had a six mile run in the sunshine along the beach.
After we went to the Royal Legion museum set up on a hill overlooking the city. There  was a Monet exhibition on and as my aunty was a member we got free entry.
After the museum we got the bus downtown and had ice cream in a place called 'Over the moon'.
We walked down through downtown to the very touristy (and extremely busy) Fishermans wharf where the famous Alcatraz ferries go from as well as all the other public and tourist ferries and tours.
We walked to the end of Fishermans wharf where there are numerous souvenir shops, crab and chowder restaurants and  the famous Boudins sourdough bread restaurant.

Day 4
In the morning we drove thirty minutes out to the harbour of Half moon bay.
We had brunch at Ketch Joanne, which is famous for its crab (and evidently it's bloody Mary's).
We then walked from the harbour over a mountain to the other side along the sea.
We spotted hundreds of seals lying on the rocks below the cliffs and my uncle also said it was common to spit whales migrating along the coast as well.
After the walk we drove ten minutes down the road to a rock and roll bar called Nicks and had a couple of drinks (walking, drinking and eating was the theme of this trip)!
Later that day we went for early dinner back in Alice's Chinese restaurant in Noe Valley for my last supper.

Harvey and I at the beach 

Alcatraz 

Day 5:
My last day!
I walked down to the famous gay area of Castro (the first gay area in the US) full of bars, cafes, restaurants and quirky shops.
Rode the vintage cable car from Castro to downtown and had a browse around the shops (stocking up essentials from Walgreens and forever 21)
Got the cable car down to Fishermans wharf and walked around the pier and docks. It was much quieter as it was a Monday. Looked out at Alcatraz, angel island and the Golden Gate Bridge. I had hoped to get a small boat out around Alcatraz and angel island which costs only $15 or the normal ferries which cost about $15 return but unfortunately didn't leave myself with enough time (next time I'm in San Francisco its on my list).
Took the cable car back to Castro and had an avocado, salad and cheese bagel and coffee in Posh Bagel before getting back to Noe Valley to make my way to the airport!

Next Stop: Manila, Philippines (with an overnight stopover in Taipei on the way)
Stayed: with family in Noe Valley
Bars: Danny Coyles, The Dubliner, Nicks
Restaurants: Alice's Chinese Noe Valley, Savoy for steak in Noe Valley, Posh Bagel Castro, Thai food in Fairfax, Ketch Joanne's for crab brunch in Half moon bay, Over the Moon for ice cream downtown