48 hours in San Francisco, California, USA
If you think it’s all about the bright and breezy harbour, its world-famous bridge and a history based on the gold rush of 1849, then San Francisco still has some secrets for you to explore. Two thousand years ago, it was all sand dunes and fog with just 500 native Americans living on this untamed land. But just take a look at this sprawling metropolis now:
Farmers’ Market and the Ferry Building
Get to the lovely Ferry Building. The building is architectural candy, which is packed with plenty of unique shopping opportunities. It’s busiest on Saturdays when the Farmers’ market – a large California Certified Farmers Market (open from 8am to 2pm) – is held at the front of the Ferry Building, along the Embarcadero and on the rear plaza overlooking the Bay.
A vendor at the Farmers market c. Sharron Livingston
Go with an appetite and tuck into seafood chowder, raw oysters, fresh vegetables, burgers, wood-fired pizzas and pies. Find a place to perch and enjoy your food and San Francisco’s perfect, breezy weather at the same time.
Muir Woods
Fancy a walk? You don’t readily associate hiking with San Francisco, but a short drive along windy mountain roads with an elevation of 2,000ft, passing Sausalito and lush valleys, leads to Muir Woods. Named after conservationist John Muir, this is home to the iconic Redwood Trees (Giant sequoia).
Redwood trees in Muir Wood c Sharron Livingston
They stand tall 379 feet (116 m) tall and close, forming a canopy offering some blessed shade. Look up, and there’s a heavenly interplay between light dappling through the leaves. Their red trunks are often wide enough to stand in the hollows – it can be quite meditative.
Later, grab a hot chocolate in the cafe. It’s made by Ghirardelli – the go-to San Francisco based chocolaterie.
The Presidio National Park
This is probably the most underrated and overlooked highlight of this amazing city. I’m referring the former Spanish military base that was once home to the Ohlone people and is now a National Historic Landmark. Yes, there are great hiking trails, but it’s the culture that lurks in the remodelled historic buildings that is of interest.
Presidio National Park Image by Egor Shitikov from Pixabay
Andy Goldsworthy, an English artist from Yorkshire, used natural materials to create four truly quirky installations. One room called “Tree Fall” has branches made from clay and human hair over an Eucalyptus tree emerging from the ceiling.
Admittedly, though, the best part of the experience is the Off The Grid Presidio Picnic. This takes place on a vast lawn where a long fleet of food trucks serves all types of cuisine, including vegan options. It takes place during the summer on Sunday afternoons, and it’s a fabulous way to spend an afternoon. Don’t miss it.
An amazing cocktail experience at the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar
Head over to the tropical-themed Tonga Room in the elegant Fairmont Hotel on Mason Street for a Mai Tai (their signature drink) or other cocktails. The venue’s tribal decorations overhead and on the walls give off a real Tiki kitschy-cool paradise environment, complete with a glowing lagoon.
Tonga Room in the Fairmont Hotel
Tables surround a swimming pool, and now and again there are thunderstorms and lightning followed by a rain downpour while music escapes from a tiki hut. You can eat Polynesian-fusion cuisine here, but really, it’s the experience that makes this place a must-visit. It’s incredible fun.
The Golden Gate Bridge
This is probably the most photographed (or in modern parlance, “instagrammed”) suspension bridge in the world. And no wonder; it is a beautiful, grand Art Deco landmark looking colourful dressed in international orange – a colour chosen so that it can be seen in the fog. Its six lanes of traffic stretch 1.7 miles (2,737 meters) connecting the city to Marin County across the Golden Gate Straits.
You can see Alcatraz Island from the Golden Gate Bridge
The views from the bridge are great and you can see the now defunct Alcatraz high security prison, where Al Capone famously played his banjo.
Dinner on a Hornblower Cruise
A Hornblower dinner cruise is a charming way to end the day. Dinner is served to ever-changing evening views of the shoreline, the bridges and even Alcatraz. Nip on deck between courses to check out the views or get into the groove of the live band on the dance floor.
Fact File
STAY: Hotel Zeppelin San Francisco where rates start from $166 per night. CHECK AVAILABILITY
Did you know: that San Francisco is home to the headquarters of Airbnb, Uber and Twitter.
You may also like to read: Alternative San Francisco
The post 48 hours in San Francisco, California, USA appeared first on The Travel Magazine.
