We docked very early in San Francisco. The Captain told us that we would be passing under Golden Gate Bridge Golden Gate at 3am. With great eagerness I set my alarm for 2.45, only I was not as eager!! I reckoned I could take shots as we left in the evening instead, so went back to sleep. Anyway, our excursion would take us over the bridge.
We were allowed on shore from 7am. Some passengers did disembark, other new arrivals welcomed.

Our tour, San Francisco City Sights by coach was at 9am. Again the logistics went with military proficiency. We needed to show our ID cards, proceed along walk ramps that joined the ship to the Customs hall.

Our coach was waiting outside the terminal, our coach guide Matt, our driver was PJ, both locals. Matt was very knowledgeable, and even had prepared music to go with his dialogue, as you would expect San Francisco open your Golden Gate…..I left my heart in San Francisco and If you’re going to San Francisco to sure to wear some flowers in your hair, a great sing-along for the many baby-boomers on board, remembering our mis-spend youths!! Not me of course, however my darling sister Toni was definitely a hippy back in late 60’s early 70’s.

We had a photo stop at Golden Gate Bridge, and though it was early and mostly covered by fog, it was in clear view as we left port. Still lovely in the morning and brought back memories of our past time in SF, ten or so years earlier.

Another stop was the beautiful Golden Gate Park within is DeYoung Asian Art Museum, a cafe, open auditorium for outdoor concerts, a Japanese garden, children’s playgrounds and viewing tower. Truly beautiful green space for all to enjoy.

Our day here was perfect 27°, sunny. We were allowed 40 min stop in this park, sufficient to take an elevator ride to top of a tower for an extensive view of the city and we had the best coffee ever on our trip so far.
(To get a good coffee on board I have double shot macchiato. This is the only way I get good coffee expresso with a dab of milk. I think it’s the milk that makes a latte taste terrible, at least by Aussie standards but macchiato hits the spot and I limit myself to one- maybe two a day so no harm done! Phil is happy with double shot cappuccino, his taste-buds not as sensitive to milk taste as mine.)

Another photo stop was on top of Twin Peaks , two mountains within the city.Twin-Peaks. This commanded a great over-view with GG Bridge in the distance. We past through Chinatown, Italian Quarter, Jewish Quarter, Russian Quarter with beautiful Orthodox Church (my photos will do all of these justice but haven’t as yet made their way from my phone via I-cloud to my I-pad!!)

We were back at the dock at 12.30pm and decided to have lunch at a waterfront seafood cafe right next to our dock, named Pier 23 Cafe. It had a great view of our ship and that section of harbour. The oysters were fantastic but only mediocre the chowder and shrimp sandwich. I think it’s the fact that our seafood, especially prawns are so great and flavoursome at home that ‘shrimps’ in US and Canada disappoint. Anyway, the glass of wine was welcomed and service friendly.

After lunch we took a taxi ride from the dock to Grace Cathedral. I had forgotten how beautiful this Cathedral is. We spent time in this holy space, Phillip wandering about, missing nothing, me sitting quietly. What touched me was a homeless person, inside his sleeping bag, asleep on a side pew. It looked so right and fitting of the welcoming Cathedral. This man must have troubles of some sort but for day hours he found solitude and safety within this special space. It touched me deeply. As in most cities, there are many homeless people in SF, for all its beauty it isn’t without it social problems.

We returned to the ship via the Crooked Street, something I had wanted to do last trip but we did not. It’s so unique, a paved road, allowing one way traffic only, weaving right to left curves as it descents from top of Lombard Street. Residences are situated either side so I am not sure how these locals live with a constant stream of traffic weaving in front of the homes. Now I have done it, it’s a great experience.

We were back on board at 4pm, sailed at 7pm. Wonderful San Francisco, another city we love.
PS: Cyclone Hilary is under the watchful eye of our Captain. It is moving on southern coast of California off Mexico, expected to bring heavy rain, wild winds. No threat to us at all.

One missing souvenir, we forgot to buy one of San Francisco for our tree!