23rd July 2024 at 01:49 - Damian

Early start to the day. Taking the BART to Emeryville and heading by Amtrak to Yosemite for a few days.

22nd July 2024 at 16:02 - Damian

Substituting beer for ice creams we've crawled a fantastic range of craft beer bars:

The Lark
Liquid Gold
Black Hammer Brewing
Otherwise Brewing
Zeitgeist
Toronado

22nd July 2024 at 15:51 - Damian

Lots of murals in the Mission district. Lots of Mexican and South America eateries, too.

We had the best burrito and quesadilla at La Taqueria at 25th and Mission for lunch and pizza at Yellow Moto at 18th and Valencia.

22nd July 2024 at 15:43 - Damian

They like to keep their fire engines clean. They are clean machines.

22nd July 2024 at 15:26 - Damian

The ride was incredibly smooth. It drove confidently but felt safe the whole way.

22nd July 2024 at 15:22 - Damian

We've seen a heap of these Waymo self-driving taxis around and decided to try one out today.

We felt safer in this than we've ever felt in a taxi before. Seeing on the screen everything the car is aware of is reassuring. Cost US$15 for a 13 minute 3km journey.

22nd July 2024 at 15:00 - Sally

53 years old and asked for ID at the bar! God bless the U S A.

21st July 2024 at 14:07 - Damian

San Francisco sourdough has a great reputation but a lot of bakeries cash in on that so it can be a bit hit-and-miss finding a good example.

This olive bread sourdough bun from Acme Bread Company in the Ferry Building was excellent. Especially when dipped in our tiny First Press extra virgin bottle we kept from the meal on the flight over.

21st July 2024 at 13:46 - Damian

Early dinner at House of Nanking in Chinatown. Came highly recommended by an old workmate (thanks, Melissa!). Lousy service but delicious food.

21st July 2024 at 13:42 - Damian

21st July 2024 at 13:41 - Damian

21st July 2024 at 13:39 - Damian

Along the Marina Boulevard are a jumble of quirky quaint houses.

It's a long, flat walk to the bridge. Plenty of people out walking and cycling making the most of a sunny weekend.

21st July 2024 at 13:30 - Damian

Cable cars used to be everywhere in SF. Now there are only three lines left with 1/10th the original length at 8.5km.

They use traditional wooden block brakes and cables that run at around 15km/h. Both of which wear down and have to be replaced frequently. A "grip" (the driver/operator) and a ticket collector. It's a costly operation.

They're very popular with tourists and there are long queues to get on during the day. We caught one at 0730 when it was quiet.

21st July 2024 at 13:10 - Damian

Today we had an early start with a cable car down to Fisherman's Wharf. From there we walked along the waterfront and then up and across the Golden Gate Bridge and on to Sausalito for lunch. Returned by ferry to the Ferry Building followed by a walk along the crowded piers, back through Chinatown for an early dinner and home again. 18km walking all up. Tired feets.

More photos to follow.

21st July 2024 at 08:40 - Damian

Let's talk about the price of ice cream in San Francisco. NZ$12.70 for a single scoop once you include tax and tip. Not generous scoops, either. We've been into a handful of ice cream shops and nothing cheaper than that. We've not been able to bring ourselves to indulge at that cost.

20th July 2024 at 12:28 - Damian

20th July 2024 at 12:20 - Damian

20th July 2024 at 12:14 - Sally

Alcatraz far, far away. Damian still trying to drum up support to Liberate the Lane.

[edit by Damian: California is largely Democrat/blue and I think they see my red shirt with some political-sounding words on and mistake me for a GOP supporter. It's awkward.]

20th July 2024 at 12:11 - Sally

Fisher boats. Big brother of the Felucca.

20th July 2024 at 12:05 - Sally

Walking tour of Fisherman's Wharf today. Starting in Ghirardelli Square. Fountain by Ruth Asawa who spent a lot of time in a concentration camp in Arkansas after the war.