If you're going to San Francisco...

Intense. That's the word I'd use to describe this day. It was packed with so many great experiences that I don't even know where to start.

After a super-yummie breakfast at Ihop we awaited our tour guide's decision whether to drive over the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge right in the morning or in the afternoon. Due to the heavy fog he decided to wait. Fine with me! I grabbed my BigBus ticket and went off by myself.

As I had 45 min left until my first planned stop, the Coit Tower, opened I decided to go there by foot. And oh my god, was that the right decision! A few hundred meters before I reached the tower I saw a sign saying that coyotes have been sighted here from time to time, thought: "That's neat!" and went on. Suddenly, around the next corner, there was a city watch car with its hazard lights on, and an officer shouting at a woman farther away to carry her

Chihuahua, because of a coyote right next to her. And holy cow, there really was a frickin' COYOTE right in the bushes next to the street! He/she was just lying there, having a good time... Supercute!
I warned another dog owner on my way up to the tower and took my spot in the waiting line. The most hilarious staff member showed up at 10 am and opened the doors for us, but not before introducing the house rules - singing! She was amazing. Her colleague, who took us up the tower in a one-hundred-something year old elevator, was equally funny. He was joking the entire time and we all had a blast. They really made sure that everyone was enjoying their time at the Coit Tower!

After this extraordinary experience I hopped on the BigBus and rode it until I reached the Painted Ladies. (The tour guide here was mixing jokes with interesting facts... it was hilarious!) Getting off the bus I went on a mission: to find the spot where the "Full House" cast had

their picnic in the intro of the series. And lo and behold! I FOUND IT! I sat down in the grass, a chill running down my spine and I'm 100% sure I was the happiest person on Alamo Square.

Unfortunately, I didn't have much time to enjoy the moment. It was already 11.30 am and I needed to get back to the hotel and change into my motorcycle gear by 2 pm. So I went back to the BigBus stop to continue the round trip. A 1.5 hour long, highly informative ride awaited, leading me over the Golden Gate Bridge to the vista point on the other side and back to Lombard Street. (This tour guide was so funny as well. I especially loved his "Airplane!" references! Too awesome.) It was a surreal experience, especially seeing the remnants of the big earthquakes, knowing that at any time another, although minor, earthquake could hit the city. It was also the moment I realized that I now truly am in San Francisco. SAN FRANCISCO! I never had thought I'd ever be here. And now that I am... well, I have to leave again, way too soon.

Nevertheless, I'm very thankful for having already crossed the bridge before going there on my bike. I almost freezed to death and I'm sure I wouldn't have worn enough when driving by myself later today.

The stop "Lombard Street" doesn't really deserve its name. In theory you should be able to get off the bus and see the crooked part of the street. What they don't tell you, however, is that you have to go mountaineering before getting there!... It was fun, seriously. San Francisco is utterly beautiful and I love the hundreds of hills, one steeper than the other. I still can't understand how a person can gain weight in this city!

At 3 pm we met again in full gear to cross the Golden Gate Bridge together. We made our way through this overall beautiful, but very biker-unfriendly city (lots and lots of potholes) to the bridge, over to Sausalito....... and couldn't see a thing. There was fog everywhere and we could only catch a glimpse of the bridge from the distance. We enjoyed our short trip nonetheless. ;-)

In the evening, Martin, Tine, Markus and I took a cab to Chinatown to grab something to eat there before making our way back to Fisherman's Wharf by cable car (oooh, that was so much fun!). Chinatown was an impressive sight and the food at the Cathay House quite okay, but my personal highlight definitely was the ride in (or rather on the platform of) the cable car! I was so excited, I didn't even notice the cold wind and fog until I had to get off the car again. :-)

I can't believe we have to leave tomorrow. I wish I had more time to see the Golden Gate Park, the Science Museum, Ghirardelli square, the market at the Ferry Building, Mrs. Doubtfire's house, the Twin Peaks... I think I made the best out of the time I had here, but still... Time's flying and I wish I could stop it for just a moment...