23 Oct Life in San Francisco

Written By: Megan Martin

One of the reasons I chose San Fransisco as my university to go on exchange was due to the abundance of places to visit and things to do here. The number of opportunities there are to explore is amazing. The contrast between the UK and San Francisco has been eye opening. Not only from the events on campus but to the events around the city. It doesn’t cost you a thing to have a fun time in San Fran! There are free activities to explore from golden gate park to a picnic at the park. Even walking around San Francisco has kept me entertained. There is an array of activities to do and sites to see. Many of which I have experienced myself.

One of the most interesting was the Golden Gate Bridge. Easily one of the most notable and interesting things there is within the city. This had always been a location on my list when I knew I was to be studying here. It’s quite typical that a tourist wants to see it, but it is a gorgeous sight. The fact that you can see all of city from the bridge, as well as other sites such as Alcatraz is really breathtaking. I was also simply surprised by the size, its huge! Not only is the bridge tall, but it spans for quite a distance. A few picturesque points where you can view this bridge are:

Fort Point National Historic Site (located beneath the bridge giving a unique and up close and personal view of the bridge, this is where I went to view the bridge, as shown in the photo)

Baker Beach (not only a nice day at the beach, of course when it’s not foggy, but stunning views whilst having a picnic)

Crissy Field (perfect place to walk or ride a bike whilst taking in the breath-taking views, there is also a coffee shop on route to get refreshed!)

All with easy access via public transport, car, bike, or a leisurely walk. It is a gorgeous sight to see; definitely a necessity to see when in San Francisco!

Another gorgeous location was Golden Gate Park. I had never actually heard of it until a friend mentioned it to me as a sight for me to visit. When I did, I found the park to be gorgeous and a surprising reminder of home. Back at my home university of Swansea, I’ve been to many public parks and found them very relaxing, once I entered the park, I felt an innate sense of home and instantly fell in love. The floral arrangements were beautiful and the sheer size of the park itself was again, breathtaking. I loved the fact that there is a park this size, this gorgeous and this vibrant placed within a huge city. There are often events taking place within the park itself, the perfect place for a picnic on a sunny day out. I plan to visit it more frequently and cannot wait to go back.

Another location that I found interesting was Chinatown. Again, this reminded me a lot of aspects of the UK, with a similar Chinatown being in London. The sights of the lanterns above the streets were brilliant along with the food within the area. The variety in different foods is brilliant and all tasted incredible. Opening myself up to new cultures has made me appreciate what I have been lucky enough to experience. Definitely a must to visit!

One of the most anticipated spots on my bucket list is Alcatraz, something I have not yet experienced but am itching to go! Its daunting history and spectacular landscape make it a hard miss! Alcatraz was home to the notorious gangster Al Capone and is surprisingly quite affordable. I am saving the tour for October when I can get more of ‘hair-rising’ experience, along with the festivities of Halloween.

Another picturesque but fun activity to spend your day is to go to Angel Island. Take a ferry, ride a bike, have a picnic. It’s quite the hike but a phenomenal view of the bridge, Alcatraz, and the whole of San Francisco. A great day out that doesn’t break the bank!

I have to say one the most unforgettable and exciting experiences I have had yet is the Giants baseball game. This was not very high on my list but once I went, the most entertaining event! It’s going to be a regular activity! The atmosphere was phenomenal, the adrenaline rush from the crowd, the big screen, and the game itself gives an amazing adrenaline rush. I am not a big fan of baseball, but I thoroughly enjoyed myself with a hot dog and cheering with the crowd. As someone who is not an avid sports fan, I can say it is one of the most fun activities in San Francisco.

Pier 39, a busy hot spot on the must-see list. Pre-warning, prepare to spend lots more than you anticipated! The food was actually very good! I tried my first clam chowder, which isn’t as off-putting as it looks! A classic fish and chips on the pier took me back to home and added to the excitement of the experience. The doughnuts, worth the queue! Now, the touristy shops are definitely a hit. I bought hoodies, jewellery, posters, a bunch of unnecessary but must-need items for an international student. The sealions are adorable and the views are insane!

The points to take from my touristy insight into San Francisco and going on a year abroad is that despite it being scary and lonely, it is a beautiful and life changing experience. The culture you get to experience, the people you meet and the sites your see really is phenomenal. Plus, there is something quite profound and commendable to say you travelled to a whole new country for a year/semester by yourself. It is one of the biggest achievements of my life for sure! It helps shape you as a person, as you open yourself to experiencing new, exciting, and scary things. Stepping outside your comfort zone and pushing yourself will be the best thing that happens to you. To speak for myself, I have grown only being here a short time! The independence, patience, confidence, freedom, and educational aspects have all flourished and allowed myself to broaden my horizons. So, if there is one tip from an international student, go!