A second trip back to San Francisco and we decided to try accommodation outside of Downtown. I found an Airbnb to the west, close to Ocean beach and in between the Presidio and Golden Gate Park. We loved it! We could walk to Ocean Beach for sunset, kite surfers and a windswept stroll. There were lots of firepits on the beach to use for grilling and plenty of groups using them – still felt a little chilly for that for those of us arriving from Florida. We had planned to choose a restaurant that evening from a street a couple of blocks away but after some enthusiastic paddling in the waves clothes and shoes were too wet! So we made use of the nearby Safeway to stock up on breakfast items and then right opposite our place was a small Chinese restaurant. Too convenient, tasty and a great price!
The following morning our plan was to visit the Muir Woods National Monument. We had made our required parking reservation in advance but had some time before so stopped of at Baker Beach on route. Great views of the Golden Gate Bridge and more great waves! So once again outfits were soaked and with a full day of exploring ahead of us we decided we had better dash home for dry trousers before continuing on. With a minute to spare we made it to our parking reservation time slot at the Muir Woods! The parking lots were full but once in the woods people spread out over the large area and it was very peaceful following the trails and interesting to join a ranger talk.
Next up was Chinatown. Our first stop was the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Tiny place but great to see them being cooked and folded, as well as being given warm flat cookies to taste! Continuing with our lunch menu we went to Wong Lee bakery and ordered Shark Fin dumplings and a couple of other unknown items we thought we should try! We ate them as we wandered the streets, taking in all the souvenirs on offer, beautiful kimonos and kites. With the long, sandy, windy beach on our doorstep we had to pick up a kite to try out later!
We knew the tide was now coming in so it was time to move on to our next location, The Wave Organ -a sculpture in the San Francisco Bay with pipes so you can listen to the waves hit the rocks! Something unusual and a nice walk passed the boats in the marina and views out to Alcatraz and back to the city. But the need to try out the new jellyfish kite was growing so we moved on to Crissy Field. We walked along the water’s edge towards the Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Point and watched surfers in the waves at the foot of the bridge. And successfully flew the kite. The Warming Hut had been recommended to me and we were definitely ready to be warmed, but unfortunately it wasn’t open that day, so instead we headed back to our house and more Chinese takeaway!
Golden Gate park is huge and that day the weather was hot, so we were totally overdressed! My daughter and I started at the end by the beach and slowly made our way in land. We passed windmills and tulips, bison, a model yacht lake and survived crossing the disc golf course. She spotted pedaloes on Stowe Lake and couldn’t be convinced that our legs were tired enough! It was very pretty pedalling under bridges and passed the Chinese Pavilion and some drifting was, thankfully, possible. After that we were ready to head back and rest before our evening plans!
We drove in to the city late afternoon and stopped at Lombard Street to see the zigzag road and the overflowing cable cars. Then a drive by of the wharfs, the Ferry Building, through the business district to our destination, the Curran Theatre where we had tickets to see Harry Potter and The Cursed Child – which was great, magical even!
Our flights were the following morning and the weather had really changed! The famous fog was back. We packed up and left in the direction of the airport, which was conveniently only a 25 minute drive away. We had a little bit of time so stopped at Fort Funston for a blast of fresh air before the flight and some last minute kite flying.
Sounds like a great trip! The model yacht lake was Will’s fave spot to go after preschool. Once in a while, someone would let him control their yacht!
I did think how much we would have spent in that park if we were there when the kids were little!