If you thought guest posting on SCATTERBRAIN is over yet, then you're wrong. Finally, I'm having Josine at To Life and Adventure as my last guest here on the blog (for now). I have known Josine since she was in grade school because she and my brother, Roi, were classmates then. Josine has always been an academic achiever and she shares the same flare in writing as I do.
She recently travelled to the US, and visited several places in Southern California, including San Diego where I currently live. Today she will share with us more about her experience in Northern California. Here you go, guys~
Hi SCATTERBRAIN friends! I’m Josine and I’m absolutely thrilled to be here today, guest posting for Ate Jae. I’m still over the moon about my California trip so I thought it would be wonderful to share with you guys a bit of my adventure in San Francisco.
San Francisco is one of the most famous cities in the world. So for a first-timer, it’s quite natural that I included its popular attractions on my list of things to see in the city. As much as I like creating my own path whenever I travel, I have to admit that I do enjoy doing tourist-y stuff, too. You never know when you’ll be able to come back again so might as well go for it. When in SF, right?
What I didn’t expect was that I still found little gems while ticking off the tourist spots on my list. These are probably not the most original discoveries but they’re not so common either (at least for non-San Franciscans) and that’s what I like about them.
Lombard Street
SCENIC VIEW AT LOMBARD STREET
Tourists flock to Lombard Street to see the “crookedest” street in the world.
If I knew how to drive, I would probably try my luck navigating through this zigzag of a street. But alas, I don’t, so I had to take the Powell-Hyde cable car to reach the area. When I got off the cable car, I was pleasantly surprised with this view. It was so stunning. I even stood on a concrete pillar just so I could take photos properly. Other tourists were looking at me weirdly because I was more absorbed with the view than the actual attraction. After a few minutes, I did manage to go down the hill to get a better look of the crooked street and watch a couple of cars drive down but I still found myself climbing back up again for the view. It was that impressive.
Golden Gate Bridge
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
What is a trip in San Francisco without seeing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge? I got to see the bridge almost every day when I was there – 5 out of 6 days to be exact – and at different viewpoints. But the most memorable one was when I walking on the actual bridge itself. I didn’t know people could actually walk or ride a bike thru it. So when Tita Lynn, my best friend’s aunt whom I visited in San Diego, mentioned that I could actually walk on the bridge, I jumped at the chance when I got to SF. It was exciting when I was in a car, passing thru the bridge but it was even more amazing up close. The details (The screws were almost as big as my fists, and did you know that the towers were hollow? Yes, I actually knocked on it), the sights/views, the wind blowing on your face, the smell of the bay, everything was incredible. I even got to watch dolphins playing and swimming on the waters below. Sadly, I was only able to reach as far as the first tower. I didn’t get to the other end of the bridge because my feet can only take so much [walking] but nonetheless, I still had a great time. I definitely recommend this to everyone. I would suggest riding a bike, though.
Alcatraz
ALCATRAZ ISLAND
Visiting this famous prison was high on my list of things to do in the city because it is often referenced in books, articles, and movies. Given the history of Alcatraz, being on the island was both eerie and remarkable, especially the inside of the Main Cellhouse. Visitors are not allowed to make noises during the Cell Audio Tour, so if your audio player is on pause, all you’d hear are the shuffling of feet. I definitely learned a lot about Alcatraz on the audio tour as well as from following a park ranger around the island. The park rangers provided a walking tour of the island and I was determined to follow him all throughout my stay but after 2-3 stops, I got sidetracked by this incredible view in front of the Administrative Building. Bay Bridge on the left, Golden Gate Bridge on the right, the city of San Francisco in between – what a sight! By the time I was finished ogling at the view, I couldn’t find the group anywhere. Haha! But definitely, I had no regrets. The panoramic view of San Francisco was the highlight of my Alcatraz tour.
Exploratorium
EXPLORATORIUM AT PIER 17
I’m a big fan of museums and exhibits. But in a city like San Francisco, wherein there are lots of places to visit, I couldn’t find time during the day to go to one. Fortunately, my friend, Bernice, whom I was staying with when I was there, invited me to go to an event at the Exploratorium. The museum has these for-adults-only events that take place every Thursday night, offering different exhibits/programs “to stimulate senses and expand the mind.” Interactive museum with no kids running around and you also get to drink cocktails while roaming around? It’s like winning a lottery, especially when I just discovered my love for red wine in Napa/Sonoma a few days before this. I got a bit buzzed but even so, it was a very fun and relaxing evening.
Check out their Calendar of Events /www.exploratorium.edu/visit/calendar/thursday-nights”>here.
MUSÉE MÉCANIQUE
I wouldn’t have left SF without going to Musée Mécanique because it was on top of my must-visit list. I’ve known about this place since I was in 6th grade, the first time I watched the movie Princess Diaries. Okay, so I didn’t know the name of the place back then yet, but I promised my 11-year old self to go here, play arm wrestling and take photos at a photobooth just like what Princess Mia, played by Anne Hathaway and Queen Clarisse, played by Julie Andrews, did. Luckily, Musée Mécanique is just located at the Fisherman’s Wharf. I was dying to try the clam chowder there. So after eating, I headed on my merry way to the arcade/museum just across the street.
True to its name, which means mechanical museum in English, the museum contains hundreds of mechanically-operated arcade machines. It’s a refreshing change from the usual video games and digital arcades we know. There were fortune-telling machines, classic pinball, old school video game, skeeball, whack-a-mole, big music boxes, mechanism that turns your penny into a Musée Mécanique souvenir token… I could go on and on, there are a lot! I love the place, not just because I’ve been dying to go here since I was younger, but because playing/hanging out there is pure, simple fun. I think I spent almost 3 hours here. And mind you, I was alone. The only problem I had was which machine I should put my quarter in.
Entrance to Musée Mécanique is free. But be prepared to spend a lot of quarters. No worries, it’s totally worth it!
So there you have it, hope you enjoyed reading about my favorite spots in San Francisco as much as I enjoyed sharing them. Cheers to life and adventure!
