San Francisco, home of the Golden Gate Bridge and the second-last stop on my North America journey, offered scenic views, steep streets, and vibrant neighborhoods at every turn. Whether relaxing on a beach near the bridge, climbing city hills, or walking the steep streets with pastel-colored homes, the city left me more impressed than I expected.

After landing early on a red-eye flight from Maui, I made my way to Samesun Hostel, perfectly located on Lombard Street, just steps from the famously crooked section of the road. I dropped off my luggage and headed straight out to explore the neighborhood. A short stroll downhill led me to Fisherman’s Wharf, where I grabbed lunch and found a sunny spot at Pier 39, surrounded by the buzz of street performers and the funny sounds of the pier’s tenants, the sea lions. Still tired from the travel and my time in Hawaii, I took it easy and spent the rest of the evening at the hostel.

The next day, I set out to explore more of the city on foot. I started with a morning at Mission Dolores Park, enjoyed the panoramic views from Bernal Heights, and ended the tour at Alamo Square, where I had a bite to eat while admiring the iconic Painted Ladies. After walking our feet off, I returned to the hostel, grabbed takeout on the way, and celebrated Thanksgiving with my two roommates over wine and chats about our travels.

Saturday was a full day of nature and indulgence. In the morning, I drove to Muir Woods for a peaceful walk among the ancient redwoods admiring (and even hugging) the towering trees, which was a welcome contrast to the busy city. That afternoon, I joined a wine-tasting tour in Napa Valley, sampling local wines in the sunshine at selected wineries, adding the perfect culinary experience to my trip. Back in San Francisco that evening, I ended the day with a visit to Boudin Bakery at Fisherman’s Wharf. Their famous sourdough didn’t disappoint! Especially their veggie pizza was hands down the best I’ve ever had.

While I spent the previous days with fellow travellers, I took Sunday to explore solo. I walked along the coast all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge, then found a quiet, sunny spot on the beach nearby to relax and watch the ships pass through the bay. Later that afternoon, I visited Salesforce Park, an elevated urban garden nestled between the city’s skyscrapers. As dusk approached, I made my way back to the hostel, because while I loved exploring on my own, I didn’t feel entirely safe walking around solo after dark in San Francisco, so I called it an early night.

Refreshed and ready to see more, I caught the morning ferry to Alcatraz Island. Touring the former prison with an audio guide gave fascinating insights into its past, while the views of the city skyline and Golden Gate Bridge from the island were just as impressive. After returning, I took my time walking around Fisherman’s Wharf again, soaking in the last of the city’s energy before turning in early one last time.

On my final day on the West Coast, I met up with Esra for a mini Bay Area road trip. After breakfast at her apartment with stunning views of the Bay Bridge, we hit the road. We stopped at Mavericks Beach, explored Half Moon Bay, and wandered around the scenic campus of Stanford University. After a relaxing dinner in Palo Alto, Esra dropped me off at the airport, where it was time to say goodbye – not only to her, but also to the West Coast. But my North America trip wasn’t over yet as I still had one final stop left. Next up: New York City!