California Day 4 – Sightseeing and Shopping
Started the day with another run – my 3rd day in a row. Particularly enjoyed this one as I explored Haight Street and Alamo Square then bumped into wife and daughter #1 running a similar route round the park. Good way to see the city. Haight Street felt like it was clinging on to its reputation and independence but it was rough around the edges. Perhaps it has always been like that – tattiness gives it soul and marks it’s contrast with the antiseptic nature of much of everywhere else.


Main business of the day started by catching the very handy (but surprisingly busy) bus from the house to Russian Hill, where we marched up to Lombard Street. Great views, bonkers street and entertaining cars.


Onwards to Fishermans wharf – salad and pizza for lunch with sea lions for afters. Street car to Union Square for some more shopping in the fantastic stores, then the N-Judah line back to the house. A testament to SF’s public transport system, which is on the whole cheap, reliable and clean. The famous street cars are clichéd, but also relatively good value. For kids, hanging on the outside is as good as Disney, any day.


In town it was (more) shopping. The centre of San Francisco is good in that it is a proper city centre, lively with shoppers, street entertainers and both tourists and locals. Bus and tram back to the house and then an enjoyable last family supper.
