Posted by After a long journey across the country, I gave myself the grace of sleeping in on my first fill day in San Francisco. But when I finally got myself showered and all together, I stepped out of my hotel and headed for the nearby Cafe Mason. Like other cities, San Francisco has a distinctive buzz, with cars and people moving about. It’s the almost ever-present cable car and street car bells that make the background noise unique. There is a contestant “dinging” and a low rumbling hum of steel wheels on rail that makes the downtown San Francisco’s audible backdrop a bit different.
Cafe Mason was wonderful, and just what I needed. Knowing my afflicted stomach, I sprung for a healthy option appreciating that I needed to be in good shape to tackle the big picture plans for the day.
After breakfast, I hopped on my bike and headed for Golden Gate Park, home of a conservatory, botanical gardens, and a Japanese tea garden. The ride was delightful as I traversed the city’s robust network of bike infrastructure. And in places where where bike infrastructure did not exist, the streets were narrow enough such that car speeds were limited, making the ride with traffic much more tolerable.
I stopped off for a quick photo of the Painted Ladies, more commonly known as the intro visual for the popular show Full House. I always wondered where the video of these row houses were taken from… turns out there is a very steep park across the street. Dozens of people posed for photos in front of these iconic homes.
Then came the hills. If there was something I would say about San Francisco, it’s that you better be ready to climb. For much of the city’s terrain, 20-30% grades were not uncommon. Walking a block in New York or Chicago was one thing… but walking or biking a block up one of these hills, even for someone who walks at least 10,000 steps per day, was intense. I picked my battles, biking up some of these hills and pushing my bike up others. By the time I arrived at Golden Gate Park, I was already a sweaty mess.
The park’s main road is closed off to traffic, so people walking, running or biking felt perfectly empowered to enjoy the space stress free. My first stop was the conservatory, where I thoroughly enjoyed the indoor botanical experience.
After leaving the conservatory, I hopped back on my bike and continued through the park. But every few tenths of a mile, I would have to dismount and check out another trail that provided stunning access to beautiful park features.
The tea garden was super special. I am a big fan of Japanese gardens and landscapes, and this display did not disappoint. Ready for a food refill, I stopped at a little cafe in this venue for some noodle-filled soup. It was delicious, but I found myself one of the only white Americans in a sea of Asian cafe-goers. I can handle myself with chopsticks a little bit, but I paid very close attention to those around me to ensure I was eating my soup correctly!
The outdoor botanical gardens were spectacular. I loved that there were so many little side paths that emanated from the main paths. It was nice to discover hidden coves for rest and relaxation.
My next destination for the day was something I’ve wanted to see since I was a little kid. I smacked the kickstand of my tiny bike, asked Google to give me directions, and headed for the Golden Gate Bridge.
I biked what had to be a mile uphill, an event that drained a lot of my stamina admittedly. But I remember the moment I turned a corner to see the incredible feat of human engineering. I locked up my bike and made my way down to the road that skirts the water for some epic views. But full disclosure, no photo can possibly do this visual marvel justice.
But seeing the bridge was not enough. I promised myself that I was going to traverse it by bike. I was tapped of energy at this point, but I feel like I would have kicked myself for years if I didn’t make it across the 1.7 mile span and back. So climbed the trail to the bridge entrance and began my journey on the Golden Gate Bridge.
I should probably mention that, in my middle-age, I have become fearful of heights. I have several dreams weekly where I meet my demise by falling from a high place. So my motive was to bike this length of bridge as fast as my little bike would accommodate. Between the fear factor and the speed at which I was pedaling, my heart rate touched a dangerous and never-experienced 182 BPM. Furthermore, as I approached the center of the bridge, a ghostly whirring sound added to my anxiety. Apparently the slats on the bridge guardrail create a short of whistle which some find beautiful. I found it haunting. Then there was the wind, which felt like 40-50mph and relentlessly thundered through my entire experience.
I’ll never forget the feeling of being back on dry land. It sounds silly, because so many people of all ages were walking and biking across the bridge without thought. But this was a victory for me. I conquered a deep fear and did something I had always wanted to do. That being said, I was mentally and physically gassed, so a Lyft ride back to the hotel was a welcomed amenity!
After sleeping for a few hours, I walked to Tratto, where I enjoyed the best lasagne I’ve ever had. The bartender recommended The Owl Tree for my next stop, and this location did not disappoint. I had the privilege of speaking with an amazing woman at the bar for hours. We discussed life, relationships, humanity and more.
My first full day in San Francisco was epic. I saw beautiful things, overcame fears, and indulged in late night drinks and amazing conversation. I’d like to think the I truly embraced the SF experience, and that I am a better human as a result.