San Francisco Stroll

When I’m in a city I like to walk. Not just do the standard tourist spots. By walking, the city slows down. You get to see how the people of the city use the city. By looking up you see the details in the buildings that some architect, years ago, spent time defining.

The details will tell the history of the city, better than many landmarks.

So - I’m in San Francisco, and off for a walk. We are at the Regency Hyatt, which is just off Union Square. An area of rich shops and expensive restaurants.

We meander our way down to Embarcadero, skirting China Town and the Financial Districts, arriving at the bay by the Ferry and Cruise Terminals, past sights like the Transamerica Pyramid.

Arriving down at the Piers & Warfs on the bay front. on the dock. Then along the Piers until we get to Pier 39, a key tourist stop. There are views across the bay, and it’s here you can get tours of Alcatraz and the bay.

It’s also a good spot to try the local Boudin Sourdough Bread - of course with Clam Chowder or the Tomato & Vegetables Soup. I must admit, watching people there seemed a split on etiquette. Do you eat the bowl, or just scoop the insides out?

To return we walk straight down Stockton.

This takes you past Lombard and the stereotypical San Francisco streets. For me a major TV show of my youth was the US Cop show - ‘The Streets of San Francisco. These are the streets where cars would race and jump off the cross over areas.

You then get into the Italian quarter. The smell of Pizza, Tomatoes and Italian spices is everywhere. The Deli’s are full of salami, cheese q, quality meet etc.. Shops are Italian chic. We even find the Italian Athletics Club!

As we move on - it’s only a block between Italy & Hong Kong.

Now the sights are reminiscent of home, but with the mix of English & Chinese - it's more Hong Kong than mainland China. There are long green beans, lotus roots, morning glory, dried mushrooms at the grocers. The bakeries are now full of sweet bread not savory. The shops have noodles not pasta. There is smell of incense and spice not the Italian herbs.

Finally back to the hotel. Although - to get there, Stockton goes through a tunnel under about 2 blocks of streets and buildings. Ok during the day to walk through it, I wouldn’t fancy doing it at night.

I had hoped to watch the sunset from the top of the Hyatt, but about 6.30pm, the fog & cloud swept in and over the bay. Everything was covered within 10mins.

A little note on the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco. My honest view is - there must be better 5* city hotels. I guess I’m used to Hyatt service in Melbourne. As a Club member you get lounge or priority check in. Easy Concierge parking that’s just a little more than the cost of the local parking garage. Not in San Francisco - we queued to park, actually obstructing the road. We queued for check-in. When asked about priority check-in, I was told ‘She’s on her break!’ . Later when I asked if they could help me in for my flight - I was told 'Concierge is in the Lobby!' - that's not the service I'm used to, or would expect if I'd paid for, an Exec Lounge access.

The lounge has great views, but it is small and the first time I have had to pay for alcoholic drinks at happy hour in a lounge!

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