I’ve been living in the Bay Area for more than 5 years now and I can count with my fingers and toes the number of times I have toured San Francisco city. My tour is usually around Union Square, Market-Powell St, Embarcadero/Ferry Terminal, and Chinatown which is one of the reasons I got tired of the city and rarely go there anymore. When my friend has come to visit me from Washington DC, I am obliged to tour her around SFO just as she has toured me when I visited her in DC. I have become the driver, host, tour guide, and photographer. Being cast in this role has been actually a blessing in disguise because I discovered a new side of San Francisco city.

I have decided drive my friend around the city. If there’s one thing I hated most, it’s driving inside the city! It is very challenging with its up and down narrow roads, lots of one-way streets, crossing pedestrian, and parking is a pain! But thanks to my friend, who has been my navigator and driving instructor especially with parallel parking, I was able to manage around the city.

The San Francisco I Never Knew:

1. De Young Museum. Did you know that the Observatory room on the 8th floor of this museum offers a clear view of the city? And it’s free!

2. Point Lobos. Going to the Cliffhouse, we drove along the coastal route and stopped by the beach shore to dip our feet on the sand. 3. Legion of Honor. I have been amazed at this place. It’s like a museum in heaven. Because of the altitude of the place, fog rolls in and envelopes the Ionic architecture of the building. We didn’t view the exhibit inside but just took pictures of the exterior where Rodin’s The Thinker concentrates on thinking. Just beyond the parking lot, the Golden Gate Bridge arches can be seen. 

4. Fort Point National Historic Site. This led us to the amazing vie w of the Golden Gate Bridge. From the parking area was a short walk to the bridge itself. And we were blessed by a un-foggy view of the arches.

5. Palace of Fine Arts. I don’t know why this place existed in the city. It was gorgeous and totally out of place. It has an ancient European facade which seemed magical. When I stepped onto this place I suddenly felt that I’ve been time-warped, like the bustling vibe of the city was so distant. It was simply wonderful, enough said.

6. COIT Tower. I don’t know why this structure came to be. I didn’t go up the tower because there was a fee. All I knew was that I had to come here because this was where one of the Amazing Race challenge was.

7. Tiled Steps of Moraga. A very pretty and artistic monument in San Francisco. I was amazed at how committed and visionary the San Francisco residents were in this project which for sure would be enjoyed by future generations to come. It was a delight climbing those stairs and seeing the different shapes which made up the mosaic.

I hope I continue to learn and explore more about this fascinating city. That one day I could definitely say that I’m a San Franciscan.

Related posts:

1. Tired of San Francisco?
2. The charm of Sausalito

Past the Golden Gate Bridge lies a quaint “Mediterranean” town in the heart of Sausalito city. If you have plans to tour the city of San Francisco, it’s nice to drop by Sausalito where you can relax and stroll and enjoy the picturesque ocean front town. That’s where I brought my sister-in-law. There are few towns in the Bay Area I’ve been to which are quaint, intimate and very charming: Carmel, Sonoma, Monterey, and Sausalito. Although there are lots of tourists in these places, it doesn’t feel touristy or commercial at all. There’s a sense of intimacy and indigenousness that stamp the identity of the town.

Sausalito is a very rich community. Residents have beachfront houses, yachts and their own sailing club. Since it is near the bay, there are many ports and sailing boats of different sizes. The downtown is situated along Bridgeway Avenue near Second St. Many of the shops are local but Gap, Starbucks, and Benetton surprisingly found its way here. Some restaurants extend into the bay with a gorgeous view of the bay and the Golden Gate bridge from a distance.

What make this Mediterranean are the beachfront houses, the local shops that litter on the side of the Bay, and the weather. The architecture shows affluence and character. Although it was very foggy at the Golden Gate bridge, the sun was shining and warm at Sausalito. We walked along the coast and took pictures of the charming boats and houses. We ate at Poggio, an Italian restaurant. Food was okay and the price was reasonable. There’s a famous ice cream shop here, Lappert’s, which are teeming with customers that they have to open another shop a few feet away.

Tips about this place: find a free parking beyond the downtown and just walk your way into the heart of the city. You can rent a bicycle and bike your way around. We saw lots of bicyclists here. If you don’t want to pay the toll (6USD each way) at the bridge, take the ferry boat to and from San Francisco. If you want to save on food, pack a lunch and spread a blanket on their park or eat by the coast sitting on one of the benches and enjoying the view of the bay and the Golden Gate bridge. Put on lots of sunscreen lotion when weather is warm and sunny because there’s not much shade here except inside the restaurant.

Related posts:

1. Napa Valley – charm of the wine country
2. The San Francisco I never knew