California Adventures: San Francisco Travel Diary Pt 3

5 May 2020

San Francisco Travel Diary

The many views of the Golden Gate Bridge  

Once we got back from Yosemite, we had one and a half more days in San Francisco (part 1 and part 2 here). After our first attempt to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge was somewhat of a failure, we knew we had to get back to that bridge pronto. Who can come back from San Francisco and not have walked the Golden Gate?! 

After falling in love with Zazie just before we went to Yosemite, we decided to head back there for brunch and, quite frankly, I’m still dreaming of the French toast I had; it was that good. 

San Francisco Travel Diary

We hopped on the bus over to the bridge and when we arrived, hooray no fog! We could finally walk all the way across. It was still pretty windy but not so much that it was actually hard work walking through the air like last time. I will admit, what you don’t think about – or at least I didn’t – is that the Golden Gate is a working bridge so it is essentially like walking alongside a very windy motorway. However, we could see for miles and the views were pretty spectacular so it was worth it. 

Having said all that, we did spend the rest of the day seeking out different views of the bridge which are definitely better than the views on the bridge. Once we were over the other side, we arrived at the Golden Gate Bridge view point which is the classic tourist bit with the view back across the bridge and everyone taking photos. It was great but if you’re ever there yourself, I would implore you to not just leave it at that. Get across the road and take a small climb, and you’ll reach Battery Spencer which, in my opinion, was the best viewing point. Slightly above, and to the west of the bridge, this vantage point offers spectacular views – one of the photos I took from there is now framed on our living room wall. 

San Francisco Travel Diary

San Francisco Travel Diary

San Francisco Travel Diary

San Francisco Travel Diary

San Francisco Travel Diary

San Francisco Travel Diary

San Francisco Travel Diary

Our next view required a bit of a walk and a café stop (where I ate a Golden Gate Bridge shaped biscuit obvs). We walked back across the bridge and along the coast line which was gorgeous. Beautiful sea views and pelicans flying above our head – what’s not to love? The path eventually led us to Baker Beach; somewhere I’ve wanted to go to ever since I first saw a picture of it online. I think there’s something quite special about that view of the beach and the bridge together. 

That evening we went back to, you guessed it, Zazie for the third time (and second that day). It really was our favourite place to eat in San Francisco! Beforehand, we stopped off for a drink in the bar next door which had all the components of a classic ‘American’ bar and we were here for it. We sat at the bar, chatting to the friendly barman and feeling very at home before heading off to inhale the Zazie menu. 

San Francisco Travel Diary

San Francisco Travel Diary

San Francisco Travel Diary

San Francisco Travel Diary


Twin Peaks 

On our final morning in the city, we walked up the Twin Peak hills – a pair of 922-foot-high summits which, on a clear day, provide 360-degree views of the bay area. As our Airbnb was nearby, we had walked half way up them on a previous day but didn’t bother going to the top because of that pesky fog again. Luckily, this time, the sky was a perfect blue and we could see for miles. I would highly recommend the steep climb for those panoramic shots. Looking out across the entire city from above felt the perfect way to finish our trip. 

Before heading to the airport, we had lunch at Crepes on Cole (would recommend) and took a wander around the local area to drool at the beautiful houses once last time. My final experience of San Francisco was having one of their famous sourdough bread bowls at the airport – just in the nick of time!  

San Francisco Travel Diary

San Francisco Travel Diary

San Francisco Travel Diary

San Francisco Travel Diary

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