San Fransisco, CA
Well, I made it through rush-hour traffic into San Francisco, however I spent quite a bit of time looking for adequate parking. Many of the garages are not high enough, and several open lots specifically stated no RV parking. I can see now why people take Uber taxis into this area. Google maps took me into the heart of San Francisco, and before I knew it, I was headed down a super steep hill, after I noticed the sign stating "no vehicles over 3 tons." I am almost 5 tons. Gulp. Oh dear, I had already committed, and here I was heading downhill with my heart in my mouth. I will say that's it was a memorable and scary experience, and immediately turned off on the next block, to find a level road.
I eventually found a parking space, and had quite a walk from Pier 7 to get down to Pier 39, where I wanted to check out the shops, as well as the sea lions.
I was here early enough so the crowds weren't too bad, however as the day transpired, there was shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, even though this was a weekday. I heard many people with varying accents, and know that this is an international destination.
It was a blast watching the sea lions frolic and honk on these floating platforms. I remember them from my previous visit, which was more than 15 years ago.
I stopped at Hyde Park, a national park, before heading into Ghirardelli Square. It happens to be one of my favorite chocolates, so naturally I had to stock up on some supplies! There is an ice cream shop. It's only 54 degrees, so it's quite chilly. Even though I love ice cream, I know the portions are huge, and cold, so I settled upon a cup of sea salted caramel hot cocoa with whipped cream. They also give you a square of chocolate to go with it. Yum, just enough to hit the spot.
JoJo was doing quite well throughout the day, taking turns riding in my pouch, as well as walking when the crowds were thinner.
I stopped at Boudin's to pick up a sourdough roll with havarti cheese. Between the chocolate and the sourdough, I had my taste of San Francisco here on Fisherman's Wharf!
I certainly spent most of the day walking, and on my way back towards the RV, I wished I could get to Lombard Street, but knew that the roads leading there would be quite steep and foreboding in my RV.
I was propositioned by one of the rickshaw bicycle riders, and talked to him about the idea of going to Lombard Street, letting me out, checking it out, and returning me back to my parking lot. He agreed, and we were off in the bicycle, which was about a mile+ from Lombard Street.
He was a smaller guy, from China, living here for 23 years, so he had quite the effort to ride me about. However, this was a two-seater rickshaw and it was just me and JoJo. He did a bit of a zig-zag to avoid the steepest portions of the road, then suddenly stopped and pointed up the hill. It was at this juncture I was to get out and walk at least two blocks, even before getting to Lombard Street. I was kind of overwhelmed at the idea, because it was so unbelievably steep. So I set out, as if I was climbing a mountain, straight up. I had seen photos, and movies of San Francisco, of this area, but until you actually walk the sidewalk to get a sense of how steep it is, it was so much more than I envisioned. I had to stop several times to catch my breath, and in the end, by the time I got up there I was the oldest woman, and the rest were young. I actually witnessed one young man running up this hill. Apparently he is in training for the Olympics.
I promised my driver that I would only take 30 minutes to climb up, check it out, and come back to him. So I wasn't really planning to go to the very top of Lombard Street, but I made it up about two-thirds of the way, taking some photos, and watching the drivers carefully navigate these curves going down. There was a street officer managing traffic. I returned back to my driver, just in time, grabbing the walls along my decline, hoping to God that my knee wouldn't buckle and take me down. I'm glad I had the chance to experience this, and it was well worth the rickshaw ride. What a day!
I eventually found a parking space, and had quite a walk from Pier 7 to get down to Pier 39, where I wanted to check out the shops, as well as the sea lions.
I was here early enough so the crowds weren't too bad, however as the day transpired, there was shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, even though this was a weekday. I heard many people with varying accents, and know that this is an international destination.
It was a blast watching the sea lions frolic and honk on these floating platforms. I remember them from my previous visit, which was more than 15 years ago.
I stopped at Hyde Park, a national park, before heading into Ghirardelli Square. It happens to be one of my favorite chocolates, so naturally I had to stock up on some supplies! There is an ice cream shop. It's only 54 degrees, so it's quite chilly. Even though I love ice cream, I know the portions are huge, and cold, so I settled upon a cup of sea salted caramel hot cocoa with whipped cream. They also give you a square of chocolate to go with it. Yum, just enough to hit the spot.
JoJo was doing quite well throughout the day, taking turns riding in my pouch, as well as walking when the crowds were thinner.
I stopped at Boudin's to pick up a sourdough roll with havarti cheese. Between the chocolate and the sourdough, I had my taste of San Francisco here on Fisherman's Wharf!
I certainly spent most of the day walking, and on my way back towards the RV, I wished I could get to Lombard Street, but knew that the roads leading there would be quite steep and foreboding in my RV.
I was propositioned by one of the rickshaw bicycle riders, and talked to him about the idea of going to Lombard Street, letting me out, checking it out, and returning me back to my parking lot. He agreed, and we were off in the bicycle, which was about a mile+ from Lombard Street.
He was a smaller guy, from China, living here for 23 years, so he had quite the effort to ride me about. However, this was a two-seater rickshaw and it was just me and JoJo. He did a bit of a zig-zag to avoid the steepest portions of the road, then suddenly stopped and pointed up the hill. It was at this juncture I was to get out and walk at least two blocks, even before getting to Lombard Street. I was kind of overwhelmed at the idea, because it was so unbelievably steep. So I set out, as if I was climbing a mountain, straight up. I had seen photos, and movies of San Francisco, of this area, but until you actually walk the sidewalk to get a sense of how steep it is, it was so much more than I envisioned. I had to stop several times to catch my breath, and in the end, by the time I got up there I was the oldest woman, and the rest were young. I actually witnessed one young man running up this hill. Apparently he is in training for the Olympics.
I promised my driver that I would only take 30 minutes to climb up, check it out, and come back to him. So I wasn't really planning to go to the very top of Lombard Street, but I made it up about two-thirds of the way, taking some photos, and watching the drivers carefully navigate these curves going down. There was a street officer managing traffic. I returned back to my driver, just in time, grabbing the walls along my decline, hoping to God that my knee wouldn't buckle and take me down. I'm glad I had the chance to experience this, and it was well worth the rickshaw ride. What a day!
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