I (Might Have) Left My Heart in San Francisco

San Francisco here I come!

I haven’t had time to update my blog these past few days… the work onboard is endlessly hectic! I kinda missed sitting here in front of my laptop, leaning back and just letting my fingers play along with the keyboard. But I guess I have to make this post quick before work catches up with me again!

It has been over two years since the ship was in San Francisco but it feels like it happened just like yesterday. I’m still turning over the events of my San Francisco visit in my head – that, and the other things that happened during that cruise way back in 2019.

We sailed our way into the port in broad daylight, which was the perfect time any cruise vessel would do! Then as we slid into the harbor, we were warmly welcomed by two of Frisco’s most famous landmarks — the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz!

Golden Gate Bridge

We had our grand entrance as the ship passed under the elegant yet imposing superstructure that was the Golden Gate Bridge. Its “International Orange” color starkly stood out from the landscape, and as we closed in we had a good chance to admire the art-deco lines of one of the most iconic man-made structures in the world.

Being San Francisco’s most famous landmark and symbol, it’s hardly surprising that almost everyone — passenger and crew — jumped out to the deck and took their share of Instagrammable selfies! The 2,737-meter span of the bridge stretched on either side of our points of view, proudly standing as the lifeline that gave San Francisco its first boost as a primary driver of the US economy.

No one ever thinks of San Francisco without at least thinking of the image of the Golden Gate Bridge. This iconic landmark is so famous, that it has been declared one of the Wonders of the Modern World! It’s the backdrop for an innumerable number of tourist pictures, and at one point even held the title of the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world (at almost 1,300 meters long and almost 230 meters high).

But aside from these, what really makes the Golden Gate so special?

Completed in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge served as the shortcut between San Francisco and Marin County (which was connected to the mainland). Before the bridge was completed, San Francisco was the largest US city whose only means of crossing to the mainland was a ferry. The completion of the Golden Gate was the start of San Francisco’s growth spurt, a rebirth if you will, and was the first step in catapulting it to the world stage where it is now so renowned.

But of course, aside from its symbolic and historical significance, the Golden Gate Bridge is just a beauty to behold. It is a work of art, a combination of form and function, and the brainchild of renowned engineers and architects of the time. Today, the Bridge attracts sightseers from all over because of its graceful beauty no matter the backdrop. Whether you’re viewing it from Alcatraz Island against the sunset, or whether you’re viewing it submerged in fog from Vista Point, the Bridge is sure to give an angle to wow you. Don’t miss the chance to cross the bridge, either on foot or on bike, and wonder at the work needed to achieve the neat lines and light appearance that is characteristic of this suspension bridge!

Whether you’re marveling at the art-deco design, appreciating the role it played in Frisco’s development, or simply wondering what’s all the fuss about the bridge, you should pay the Golden Gate a visit.

Alcatraz

A little further into the harbor, the notorious Alcatraz stood somberly. The cold waves of the Bay crashed into its rocky isle, making a show for us as we glide our way smoothly to our assigned berth. Once known as an inescapable prison, Alcatraz used to be the home of several high-profile convicts. Of course, that reputation just paved the way for the marvelous escape that Clint Eastwood famously portrayed in Hollywood.

Today, the prison island is a famous tourist destination. It is a National Historic Landmark and has a host of exhibits to educate visitors about the various activities the island played host to in its history. Did you know that Alcatraz was also the site of a military base, a military prison at varying points in history? In the prison house itself, Cell Number 181 is a famous attraction — it was the cell where notorious mobster Al Capone was incarcerated during his stint in Alcatraz!

Here’s my not-so-Instagrammable shot of Alcatraz — hey, I think it’s not half-bad!

Pier 39

From these two sights, our mammoth cruise ship inched its way into Pier 35, our home for the duration of our stay in Frisco. By around 1 PM, the ship was already moored alongside. Our berth is particularly fortuitous since we’re just a walking distance to Pier 39! Pier 39 is the entertainment center of the San Francisco piers, complete with everything from virtual reality rides to shops and restos. There are also different marine animals here, such as sea lions and others found in the Aquarium of the Bay (another spot within Pier 39).

Mini High School Reunion

Of course, I had my own plan here in San Francisco. I will be meeting some of my high school classmates, and few relatives while here! Of course, I also wanted to spend some time visiting the Golden Gate Bridge. This was a plan that was two years in the making — I had actually started planning for this back in 2017! And in 2019, I finally got to tick two boxes off my bucket list: hold this mini-reunion, and finally get to know the great Golden Gate a bit better.

It was my classmates and cousin who drove me to the Golden Gate’s vantage point. From here, I could take all the great pics that I want! And I’m talking those kinds of pictures that appear on magazine pages and posters — this is where they’ve been shot. While our ship passing under the bridge provided us a different viewpoint earlier that day, this one where I’m at is something else entirely. It’s also fun knowing that there’s a designated viewing spot for the Golden Gate, complete with a souvenir shop! This last one has all the basic stuff from t-shirts to fridge magnets and mugs.

A Taste of Filipino Food

Of course, a visit to San Francisco wouldn’t be complete without treating my tastebuds to some tasty Filipino dishes! I’ve been craving some homemade Pinoy food, so it’s really great to have a taste of this even if I’m not yet in the Philippines. I’m talking about a sumptuous dinner at Isla Restaurant, in San Bruno, California. It’s about an hour’s drive from the Golden Gate and is just plain perfect for those craving some original Filipino dishes while in SanFo. They offer a host of mouth-watering Filipino meals, from pansit, to liempo, to crispy pata, to chicharon, to sisig, to ginataan… of course the staples (adobo, sinigang, nilaga, tinola, etc.) are also all there. Oh, and they have meal deals, too!

I can say that my San Francisco visit was truly remarkable. Aside from the mini reunion with my classmates in high school and the world famous bridge, I also managed to squeeze in more of the city’s highlights:

The Museum of Fine Arts

We passed this on the way to the Golden Gate — though unfortunately, we weren’t able to go inside. I was taken by the building’s architecture just looking out of the car’s window! I missed seeing the beauty inside since the traffic was particularly terrible that day and we had no time to stopover. Some of my shipmates managed to get there and by stalking at their Facebook updates, at least I got to see what’s inside!

Cable Car

Also while on the road, I was able to see one of Frisco’s famous landmarks. This ride is pretty historic, its original routes dating back to 1873. The queue to the cars can be pretty long, but I’m told it’s worth it!

Oracle Park

Of course one shouldn’t miss Oracle Park, which is home to the San Francisco Giants! My cousin took me there on the day he drove me back to the ship! It’s the quintessential ballpark, its clean and efficient lines hiding a wealth of high-tech and luxurious features. I’m talking about wait and concierge services, a garden, a fan vault (and fan lot) for the Giants, the McCovey Cove, and more! Of course, one can’t help but marvel at the huge space that 63,000 fans could occupy in a game.

If there was a takeaway for that leg of the journey, it’s the simple fact that the world is indeed huge. By this, I mean there are always new things to do and discover. One can read all the travel blogs, guides, and reviews there are, but still be surprised at the things one will see when he’s in that new place. That’s the true wonder of traveling — not just knowing what to do and where to go, not just planning and going places, but actually being there, revealing in the pulse of that tourist destination. Because in the end, it’s not our travel notes or the pictures we take that will truly matter. It’s how dear the experience became in our lives simply because we experienced them.