San Francisco Day 1

Tuesday | March 15

Going to Vegas was my first trip out west, so why not spend a few days in San Francisco? I've traveled to/explored other cities before, but this was my first solo trip. I had no plan except booking one night at a hostel. At the hostel, I looked at a few maps and points of interest and came up with a mental 3-day plan of what neighborhoods to visit and sights to see (and foods to eat).

First stop—SF CHINATOWN! Lots of colorful narrow streets. I just finished my morning coffee and now I'm searching for a bowl of soup noodles. I ask a few shopkeepers where to go.


Seafood noodle soup at Golden Star Vietnamese Restaurant. The noodles are quite different from the rice noodles at the many Pho places I've eaten at in NYC. They're al dente, thinner, and have a nice chewy bounce.


I loved walking down the streets and seeing houses on higher or lower streets in the distance.


A few book covers caught my eye at City Lights Bookstore. There's a nook filled with DIY zines in the back.


At Fishermans Wharf.


Musée Mécanique is a cute place to visit at Fishermans Wharf. I stumbled through the back entrance having no idea what I walked into. It was like an era throwback.


Even the cute boats match the cute buildings in San Francisco.


Lombard Street, the "crookedest street in the world". So I guess going there during shitty weather was a plus since this place is a crazy popular tourist spot. I got a glimpse of it on my way to Fishermans Wharf having no actual interest in going, but decided to go for the hell of it on my way back to the hostel. I trekked uphill from several blocks away.


USA Hostels San Francisco—user-friendly and inexpensive. On the first night, the girl at the front desk, Brooke, drew a few places on the map and told me to avoid "this area", circling the Tenderloin area, which I walked through to get to the hostel. "That's why you smelled all the pot and piss while walking here." Yes, the smells of freshly smoked pot and the stench of old urine will always take me back to San Francisco.


"There's nothing good on that," says the sushi chef as I ordered the sashimi plate at Ryoko's Japanese Restaurant & Bar. "I'll make you a plate with the specials straight from Japan," he continues pointing at "Specials" board. "Okay, sure, why not?" I reply shrugging. The food was delicious! There was also a bowl of rice and a bowl of the creamiest Japanese tofu. He also served the tastiest homemade Ponzu sauce I've ever had with the halibut. I was very full in way that I never experienced before. Maybe it was a "healthy, satisfying" full, instead of my usual "I think I need to barf and/or lay down because I seem to have no control of the amount of food I'm stuffing myself with" full.

Successful end of Day 1 in San Francisco.