SAN FRANCISCO // SEPTEMBER 2021

There are so many thoughts swirling in my head about my week in San Francisco. It’s kinda difficult to even know what to say. But I’ll try!

Before going, I heard all sorts of advice and opinions on this city. Some people love it, some people hate it, and some people were certain that it’s murder central. In reality – just like anything – it’s much more nuanced.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the city, even the parts that were outside of the main tourist areas. It was so interesting how the weather changed from area to area – sunny inland and rainy and cold just a few miles closer to the water. And the hills! I love walking and considered the elevation gain a good replacement for the gym that week.

In this post, you’ll see what I saw. Some photos are iconic of San Francisco and some aren’t. If you’ve been here awhile, that shouldn’t be a surprise!

ARCHITECTURE

For people who live here, the houses and architecture are obviously normal. But to me coming from the midwest, I couldn’t stop admiring the Victorians homes, bay windows and how the buildings were constructed on such steep hills. Pair that with palms and tropical plants…it was a feast for my eyes.

A Victorian home peeks out of lush greenery.
A blue painted Victorian home sits proudly under a cloudless blue sky.
School
Cable car wires criss-cross in front of a light green Victorian apartment complex.
Three Victorian row houses under a clear blue sky.
Row houses stand on a steep hill, lit by the glow of golden hour.
A stucco duplex sits on a very steep hill.
A fire escape climbs a tall yellow apartment complex facade.
Two manicured trees flank garage doors under a brick and stucco apartment complex.
Decorated row houses sit on a very steep hill.

STREET CARS

What would San Francisco be with out its street cars?!

A street car line stretched into downtown. The Bay Bridge is visible in the distance.
A silver street car round the corner in the Castro District.
Two street cars sit idle, waiting to pick up riders.
A street car going to Fisherman's Wharf sits in front of an ornate building facade.

WATERFRONT

Seagulls! Sea lions! The ocean! All things that aren’t part of my everyday life. I really enjoyed this change of scenery!

A seagull stands on a wooden pier.
Sea lions sunning on Pier 39.
The Pier 39 sign with no sea lions in sight.
Karl the Fog rolling in over Alcatraz Island.
Alcatraz Island can be seen in the distance. Several lamp posts line a wooden pier in the foreground.
Orange buoys protect boats in the harbor.
A red marina gate is closed for the morning.
A regal white gate serves as a gateway to the ocean.

ALCATRAZ ISLAND

The island seems ever-present from many areas of San Francisco, which fueled my excitement to go visit! Due to COVID restrictions still in place, it wasn’t possible to take one of the more extensive tours. So a self -guided tour it was!

I didn’t really know what to expect, but Alcatraz wasn’t what I was expecting at all. The island has a lot more than just the prison and holds incredible history. If you go, consider leaving some time to explore the rest of the island and learn about the Native American Resistance in 1969.

Alcatraz Island in the middle of the bay.
Alcatraz Island National Park sign.
"ALCATRAZ" is painted in bright yellow on the roof of an island building.
A guard tower overlooks the island and the bay.
A crumbling structure remains on the island.
A crumbling structure is walled off by metal mesh.
The outdoor recreation area for inmates. In the distance stands a water tower with "Home of the Indians" painted on the side.
One of the main cell blocks of the prison.
A typical cell interior. A sink, toilet, shelves and seating are all that remain.
Each cell block is lit by skylights.
Wall placard depicting the patented jail system developed by the Stewart Iron Works Company.
Solitary cells are painted pink and mint.

DOWNTOWN

The juxtaposition of new and old buildings was irressistable.

SUTRO BATHS

This area was on my radar for a long time. In the late 1800s, this area was a massive open air public bathhouse. Now it sits in ruins – but beautiful ruins.

On this day, I realized exactly how fickle the weather can be in San Francisco. At my hotel in Japantown, it was nice and sunny. As the bus got closer and closer to the Sutro Baths, it got foggy, cold and windy. In only a few miles, the weather was drastically different.

The fog gave an atmospheric vibe to the abandoned baths, but one day I’d love to experience this area in the warm sun!