Sunday, December 22, 2013 – San Francisco
I’ve traveled back and forth across the U.S. throughout my career, and I don’t usually have much trouble adjusting across the four time zones of the lower 48 states. However, as an early riser, “early” becomes even earlier when I’m three hours behind my normal routine. So on Sunday morning, while the rest of the family slept, I quietly slipped out of the hotel, grabbed the rental car, and drove to Crissy Field for a sunrise run along the waterfront and across the Golden Gate Bridge. Watching the sun rise over the bay as I ran was absolutely breathtaking. Having only started running earlier that year, I was still discovering the joy of exploring new places on foot, a ritual I continue to treasure.
Back at the hotel, the rest of the family was starting to stir. After a quick shower, we set off for our first full California day. Our first stop was Fisherman’s Wharf, where we took a Duck Tour in a World War II-era amphibious vehicle. Our guide, Captain Van, was as hilarious as he was informative, showing us the city from both the streets and the water. One highlight was gliding through McCovey Cove, where home run balls from Oracle Park (formerly AT&T Park) land with a splash. It was a fantastic tour, but we probably annoyed half the city with the free “quackers” they handed out. In fact, I’m convinced our family is the reason most Duck Tour operators now charge extra for those noisemakers.
All that quacking worked up an appetite, so our next stop was a San Francisco classic: soup in a sourdough bread bowl. Aaron and I opted for clam chowder from a crab stand, while the girls chose tomato soup from a bakery. We reconvened under the iconic Fisherman’s Wharf sign, where we devoured our soups—and the bowls.
The afternoon was spent wandering along the Embarcadero waterfront, visiting the famous sea lions at Pier 39, and indulging in ice cream at Ghirardelli. We wrapped up the day with dinner at an Irish pub near the hotel, then headed back for a well-deserved night’s sleep. It was the perfect way to kick off our California adventure.
Where Are We Going Now? 