San Francisco: A Whirlwind of Weirdness (and Weird Numbers)

okay, so where do i even begin with *San Francisco? i just got back and my brain is still doing the cha-cha. i saw some seriously random numbers pop up while booking a late-night ride - 4158928 and 1840015144. honestly? it felt…significant. like a coded message from the city itself. and the weather? a bit of a mood. << i just checked and it's...a surprisingly mild drizzle, which is super typical, hope you like that kind of thing. >>

let's talk about this place. the air smells like salt and something vaguely floral, maybe a thousand different kinds of jasmine all competing for attention. the hills…oh god, the hills. i think my calves are still staging a protest. i definitely recommend comfy shoes. seriously, don't even think about those cute little sandals. you'll regret it.

my little crash pad was in the Mission District. super colorful, super noisy, super…alive. the neighbors are a mixed bag - artists, students, families, people who just seem to exist in a state of perpetual cool. if you get bored, Oakland is just a short drive away. lots of cool murals there. check out some of the galleries on Valencia Street. https://www.valenciasquare.com/

Gear List (because, duh):
*Layers. seriously. it goes from sunshine to fog in like 10 minutes.
*Reusable water bottle. you'll be walking a lot.
*Portable charger. for all the photo-taking and map-gazing.
*A good pair of walking shoes (i can't stress this enough).
*Umbrella

I wandered through Golden Gate Park, which was an absolute oasis. saw people doing yoga, sketching, just chilling under the trees. it's the perfect place to escape the city bustle. someone told me that the Japanese Tea Garden is particularly magical in the late afternoon.

Overheard Gossip: `

“Don’t even try to parallel park in North Beach. Just…don’t.”

` Someone else warned me about the cost of everything - seriously, bring your wallet. and don't even think about getting ripped off by street vendors.

I spent a good chunk of time just wandering and getting lost. which, honestly, is half the fun. ended up in this tiny little bookstore in Haight-Ashbury. it smelled like old paper and incense. it's the kind of place where you could spend all day browsing. https://www.haightashbury.net/

I tried to get a decent shot of Alcatraz Island from afar but the fog was being a total jerk. I heard that booking tickets well in advance is a must though. Someone else said the ferry ride itself is worth the price of admission.

And the food! oh my goodness. i devoured some amazing tacos in the Mission - seriously, the best i've ever had. i heard that Foreign Cinema has one of the coolest patios in the city. check out some reviews on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/

A little tip:* don't be afraid to talk to people! san francisco folks are generally pretty chill and happy to offer recommendations. just be prepared for some seriously strong opinions.

Seriously though, san francisco is a weird, wonderful, slightly overwhelming place. go prepared to be surprised. and maybe pack an extra sweater.

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