I’m back with #15 of my USA Travel Diary Installment. I’m proper slacking with these post, aren’t I? We’re on to Day 33 in the USA and I’m still in San Francisco. There really is so much to see and do in San Francisco but it’s also a city that’s just lovely to chill out and wander about at your own pace. Whilst I was in San Francisco, I teamed up with AttractionTix who provided me with Sightseeing Bus Tickets so I could visit all the top sights in one day.
The sightseeing bus started from near to Fisherman’s Wharf and we decided to go on the Official City Tour so we could see a little bit of everything. The first stop along the way is the most famous sight of San Francisco; The Golden Gate Bridge. I’d previously got a glimpse from my visit to Alcatraz and the Walt Disney Family Museum but the bus took us right to the visitor centre where optionally you could hop off and have a walk across. There is actually a few Sightseeing Tours which go across to the bridge to Muir Woods and Sausalito but we actually went there a couple of days later in our rental car.
The Sightseeing Tour was a great way to see the city although there was a large gap between buses if we wanted to do some hoppin’ on and off. The tour took us to the Golden Gate Park which is home to the Botanical Gardens and the California Academy of Sciences. We then headed towards the Haight Ashbury district which is somewhere I was really excited to be visiting. It’s such a colourful neighbourhood with lots of vintage and hip shops, restaurants and bars. We didn’t get off the bus here but decided to come back and explore the next day!
The bus took us back into the city centre and past the City Hall and through China Town. There really is so much to explore in the city and It was so good to learn so much about the city and get to see a little bit of everything. Once we got off the bus back at Fisherman’s Wharf, it was time for lunch! We visited Boudin which is a big bakery and a pretty famous one at that. This bakery does incredible bread bowls which clam chowder or soup is served in. Let me tell you, the tomato soup in a bread bowl is one of the best things I had in the USA. After In-n-Out, of course.
The Fisherman Wharf area is tailored very much to tourists with lot’s of different shops, especially on Pier 39. We must have spent a couple of hours going around all the shops and obviously, going back to see the stars of San Francisco; the Sea Lions!
As the sun was setting over the city we walked along to the Aquatic Cove which is a small beach and pier just in front of Ghirardelli Square and the Maritime Museum. This was an absolutely prime position to watch the sunset over the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay. San Francisco sure is one pretty city.
Ghirardelli Chocolates originates from San Francisco, you might have seen these chocolates all over the in US. We decided to go and see what all the fuss what about. In Ghirardelli Square, you’ve got lots of little independent cute shops and the original store and restaurant. There was a mega queue to get into the restaurant but we decided it was worth the wait and it sure was! I went for a banana split which was utterly delicious before heading back to The Hotel Zeppelin.
The next day we decided to head back to the Haight Ashbury district to do a bit of shopping and explore the area. It was a Sunday so only certain things were open but just seeing all the colourful buildings and exploring the neighbourhood made me really love the area! I wish I’d taken a lot more photos of the area as I’ve barely gotten any and all the surrounding buildings are just unreal! I had a very delicious burger from an organic restaurant called Magnolias which I would highly recommend and it seemed like the place to be on a Sunday!
It was then time to head back to Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39 for the third time in three days as they were switching on the Christmas lights. It was none other than Mickey Mouse and friends who had come up from Disneyland California to turn them on. I’m not going to lie, the place was so unbelievably crowded. We couldn’t see a lot but it was all rather exciting.
Afterwards a couple of cocktails at a place called The Smuggler’s Cove, I actually spent the night in San Francisco’s airport. I have to say it was rather boring but there was a lot of people about so I felt safe. It was an early flight for me as I was flying up to Vancouver, Canada! You can read all about that trip here.
Have you been to San Francisco before?
XOXO
*My ticket for the San Francisco Sightseeing Bus was provided to me by AttractionTix for the purpose of this review.
Kiki says
Amazing Pictures of SF, great post!
K x
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Anosa says
Every trip I take, i always take the tour bus, its a nice way to maximise your time in the city and visit more places. I would love to visit San Francisco one day
Charli says
I did this tour when I was in San Francisco. It was my first time travelling solo on crutches and it was such a phenomenal way to see the city.
Cx
Elizabeth says
I’ve been there! My step-father lives in Napa, so we visited him some years ago and went for a trip to San Francisco and I visited many of the sites you’ve photographed. I’d go back again in a heartbeat 🙂
Kara says
I have always wanted to go to San Francisco and this sounds like the perfect way of seeing the sights
elizabeth says
Wow looks amazing, I have always wanted to go! The tour buses area a great way to see the city in one go and really affordable too!
Kacie says
San Francisco is so colourful – I had no idea! I’ve only ever been to New York but I’d love to explore more of the States.
Stephanie Merry says
I always think the best way to see a city is to hop onto one of these buses and I have to say San Francisco looks amazing! x
Amanda says
Your photos look amazing! I’ve always wanted to visit San Fran and haven’t been to the States in years. Will have to plan a trip soon!
Amita says
Your pictures look amazing! I’ve always wanted to go to San Francisco, it looks like such a fun city to explore xx