San Francisco is a plethora of iconic sites and classic aspects found nowhere
else. Though I usually prefer to travel “The Road Not Taken”, otherwise known as
the locations not crowded with the season’s handful of tourists, I simply could not
resist the thrill of riding in one of San Francisco’s unique cable cars, which is the
world’s last permanently operational manually operated cable car system. My thrill
was a bit subdued after I saw the trail of lines leading up to cable car stop, but the
wait was alleviated by the sights of the ocean and the entertaining street
performers. I didn’t truly experience the terror of riding in a cable car until I was
gripping the pole with my sweaty palms. I know the thought of riding in a cable car
is not what you would call a death-defying stunt, but while sitting near the edge,
rolling downhill on a steep street, and clutching the pole beside me with my death
grip I realized that the trolley was also a pretty unique way of transportation that
certainly beat a steep climb uphill. While I am probably exaggerating about the
terrors of the cable car, I assure you that a ride on a cable car is one of the must see
experiences that is well worth the wait.
While both tourists and locals have flocked towards the historical
Fisherman’s Wharf for many years, I usually transcend towards the area otherwise
known as Pier 39. Opening on October 4, 1978, Pier 39 has always catered towards
free entertainment to visitors and locals. At first Pier 39 included 105 retail shops,
23 restaurants, 12 fast food eateries, a diving pool, and even an indoor carousel. In
1981, however, the pier was bought and many changes were made making it what it
is today. Pier 39 is far from what I would call a hidden oasis for locals or visitors.
Though I do agree that it is a shopping area full of stores selling Alcatraz shirts, San
Francisco’s famous clam chowder, and many other stores that cater to visitors, it is
still an area that can provide you with some great food, stores, and fun moments
with street performers and the seals. Eating clam chowder out of a bread bowl and
lobster showered in butter was pretty much my daily diet during my time in San
Francisco. Restaurants located at Pier 39 provide a unique variety, fresh seafood,
and potentially an amazing view of the beautiful bay. Pier 39 and San Francisco’s
cable cars are great ways to take advantage of San Francisco’s unique charm, and
are not too far from some of San Francisco’s other attractions, such as Fisherman’s
Wharf and Ghirardelli Square.