Pier 39

Though when we first arrived yesterday, we questioned our choice of hotels mainly from worrying about the hills, to not being able to get late checkout to the front end guy being quite rude.

A relaxing afternoon and great nights sleep allowed for a clear head and a pivot in my thinking on what we could do to improve everything.

First thing this morning I went back down to reception and explained the situation again why we needed a late checkout (our flight doesn’t leave until 9.00pm and we had to be out by 11.00am). We came to a compromise in we would stay in the room we are in tonight and then swap rooms tomorrow and pay a late checkout fee and we can leave as late as needed. Only trouble is we won’t have the amazing street views but weighing that up against spending 9 hours at the airport before we fly out was a much better option. This way we can shower and be fresh for the flight home and only have to leave the hotel at 5.30pm. And happy to say the front end guy was in a much better mood than yesterday and was actually laughing and smiling today!

With that sorted, I then went onto the next thing weighing on my mind and that was how to get to the wharf without too much walking and too much expense. Came up with the best option of a 3 day pass on the cable cars that basically stop right at our doorstep and drop up right near the wharf.

We headed down to the wharf just before lunch today, had lunch at Applebees and then soaked in the amazing atmosphere that is Fisherman’s Wharf. Dave ship spotted, seal lion watched and people watched while I did some shopping (I only just realised I had bought many things for everyone else and hadn’t bought anything for me).

After shopping we enjoyed an icecream while watching a 300m container ship come in under the Golden Gate and right passed us on the wharf. Dave nearly didn’t get his icecream as when I was just about to him a huge seagull flew down and took a big bite out of it. Scared the shit out of me.

It turned out to be a pretty amazing day!Read more