San Francisco I Contiki Part 1

Making our way to San Francisco (early!) we were greeted with the news we were going to be there during Pride weekend. The city was going to come to life with celebrations but to add to that same sex marriage had just been legalised across the remaining states in the USA. For those who don't know, San Fracisco is one of the most established cities in the world for gay communities and we were going to be there to celebrate the news in such a prominent moment in history! Another memorable few days were in sight.

WINDY WEATHERS
We arrived at fishermans wharf and suprisingly welcomed by much colder weather with a breeze that we hadn't experienced for some time. Sparsley dressed in shorts and cami tops, the hoody in my bag didn't quite make the cut. Nevertheless we were excited to get to know the new city on our agenda and first stop was San Franciscos famous Sea Lions. That is right, Sea Lions. Random, I know but aparently they made their home here following the Loma PriLoma Prieta earthquake that hit San Francisco in October 1989 - who would have known? 

There were lots of restaurants here to indulge in as well as a first chance to get a glimpse of the famous Alcatraz Island that homes the isolated prison made in 1933. Unfortunately I didn't get to go on the tour. I was so gutted but you have to book way in advance as the tickets sell out fast. Definitely make sure you add it to your list if you are ever stopping that way, apparently it was amazing. 

We jumped back on the coach and took a drive over the Golden Gate Bridge. We stopped off for quick photos, shivering our butts off whilst the bridge hid behind the clouds. We were not disappointed though as later that evening we took a very windy boat ride to have a better look. We set sail around the waters and managed to go past Alcatraz and get up close and personal with the famous bridge of the city.

The waters were choppy to say the least but it was pretty awesome to be so close.

The evening ended with dinner at Boudin, a bakery founded in 1849 whose famous sourdough recipe lives on iconic in the city. This is one of our included meals and it was YUM. A bread soup bowl filled with heart warming tomato soup went down a treat after the boat ride. 

Our night continued at another bar (yes, another) for some chilled out drinking time. You didn't have to go, some people headed back to the hotel but it was a good opportunity to get to know people with silly drinking games and good cheesy music.

GAME ON
Next morning my room mate and I we were up early to suss out the awesome shops available us to before the baseball game. Again, I was pretty psyched to get down with American style and it was kicked off with a BBQ in the car park before the game - a typical traditional apparently. We hired a pick up truck, which I now want, and chilled with more red cups and hot dog to get in the spirit.

The game was something I new I wanted to do and most people also chose this option if they had nothing else planned. The stadium was massive and looked out onto the river where people in kayaks reportedly peddle to catch the ball that flys out into the waters. 

Now, I don't know much about baseball but what I gather it is a little like the UK version of rounders. Regardless, I suited myself up with a SF Giants baseball cap and picked up a cute gift for my lego crazy brother. 

It was such an awesome experience, another tick off my list and great way to get into the american culture. I keep saying this sort of thing but that is one of the best things about Contiki; they pick out the best parts and give you a typical experience for the local area. I'm a sucker for movie moments and I wasn't short of them.

Our first whole day ended with an included dinner in China Town, the largest outside of Asia. The streets were quaint and a escape from the rest of the city. The meal was set which wasn't to some peoples liking but it made it easier and it was fairly decent.

After, you were left to your own devices. The tour guide was always great at organising something outside of the itinerary if people fancied but you could also go off depending on what you would like. I headed out to suss out the nightlife with one of the girls which was an experience to say the least. One thing to know alcohol stops being served at 2am so if you like to stay out all night, perhaps take it back to the hotel, motel....