San Francisco: Fog, Ferries, and a Seriously Questionable Croissant
okay, so san francisco. it’s…a lot. i just landed back home, and honestly, my brain feels like it’s still buffering. i’m a freelance photographer, and i was chasing light (and decent coffee) for a week. it was supposed to be a ‘find yourself’ trip, but mostly i found overpriced avocado toast and a deep appreciation for layers.
first off, the weather. i just peeked at the forecast and it’s…doing its usual thing, apparently. a swirling grey hug that threatens to turn into a damp chill at any moment. bring a jacket. seriously. like, three. i swear the fog has a personality, and it’s judging my outfit choices.
my airbnb was in the mission district, which was…vibrant, i guess? it’s definitely got a pulse. the neighbors? well, if you’re looking for a quiet escape, you’ve picked the wrong place. there’s always something happening. i overheard someone saying that Oakland is just a quick BART ride away if you need a breather, which sounds tempting.
let’s talk about food. i tried to find a good bakery, and i ended up with a croissant that tasted suspiciously like sadness. someone told me that Tartine Bakery is the place to go, but the line was longer than my patience. i ended up grabbing a burrito (because, san francisco) and it was…fine. honestly, the best meal i had was from a food truck near fisherman’s wharf. https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Food+Trucks&find_loc=San+Francisco%2C+CA
“apparently, the sea lions are unionized. don’t even think about getting too close.”
that’s what the guy at the coffee stand told me. and honestly, i believe him. those sea lions look like they mean business. i spent a ridiculous amount of time just watching them. it’s…therapeutic?
gear-wise, i basically lived in my doc martens and a waterproof jacket. here’s a super-organized (lol) list of what i lugged around:
camera (obviously)
three lenses (because indecision)
portable hard drive (for all the photos of fog)
rain cover for the camera (essential)
noise-canceling headphones (for the cable car sounds)
a really good book (for the inevitable delays)
* a universal adapter (because i always forget)
i also spent a day wandering around golden gate park. it’s huge. like, seriously huge. i got lost approximately seven times. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60956-d103308-Reviews-Golden_Gate_Park-San_Francisco_California.html i heard from a local that the Japanese Tea Garden is worth the hype, but it’s crowded. i skipped it. crowds and i are not friends.
and the hills. oh, the hills. my calves are still screaming. i swear, san francisco was designed by someone who actively hates pedestrians. i took a ferry to sausalito, which was lovely, but the walk back up to the street from the ferry terminal nearly killed me. https://www.sausalito.gov/
overall? san francisco is…an experience. it’s chaotic, expensive, and perpetually damp. but it’s also kind of magical. i’m not sure i “found myself,” but i definitely found some interesting photos. and a newfound respect for waterproof footwear. check out this local forum for more tips: https://sf.reddit.com/
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