This was a continuation of my last trip to San Francisco in Labor Day of last year. It also allowed me to escape the Texas summer heat for a few days, and enjoy the great San Francisco summer weather of sunny skies and temperatures in the 50s and 60s. In fact, San Francisco summers are almost on par with typical Austin winter weather. Mark Twain once said, "the coldest winter I have experienced is a summer in San Francisco". The great weather, combined with Chinatown and other distinct features of San Francisco, make it one of my favorite summer destinations.
I stayed in the Financial District, near the Embarcadero, in the Le Meridien hotel. Since this area caters to business travelers, you can get good deals at luxury hotels here. Check out this note left by a housekeeper. It's just a simple thank you note, but it was a nice gesture and it shows the housekeepers really appreciate tips :)
1) Checked out the demonstration window of Boudin Bakery in Fishermans Wharf, where you can see bakers making sourdough bread, some shaped like animals like this turtle. I highly recommend their clam chowder in a bread bowl.
2) Visited Ghirardelli Square
3) Ate in Chinatown
4) Walked the Golden Gate bridge
5) Rode the glass elevator in the Westin St. Francis hotel where I got nice views of Union Square.
6) Went to Coit Tower, build in honor of firefighters which explains the fire hose shape of the building. Rode the elevator to the top (about 27 stories) to take in birds-eye views of the city.
7) Visited the Levi Plaza, which included a visitor's center with displays about the Levi jeans history and development, as well as information about other Levi products.
8) Took a cruise in the San Francisco Bay, sailing to the Golden Gate Bridge, around Alcatrez Island, and docked near Pier 33 in Fishermans Wharf to watch the fireworks. Being on the cruise ship offered the best views of the fireworks, and is less crowded than standing in Fishermans Wharf. With temperatures in the high 50s, it was by far the coldest Independence Day I have ever experienced.
9) Checked out the Farmer's Market in the Ferry Building. They have many samples of bread, fruit, sauces, and juices.
10) Rode the cable cars - they are a fun way to get around (though not the fastest) and you get to experience how people got around in SF in the late 1800s.
