I made it back into the city of touchdown and found my way to the hostel Christina and I would stay at for the next four days. I had a few hours before I’d pick her up from the airport, so I did some laundry. I ate in my room, which isn’t allowed. But they kicked me out of the little restaurant, because it also isn’t allowable to eat outside food in there. Fine. I wished I was in my little car alone again. Being with people is tricky.

Chris and I are travel buddies. We know how to do a city and do it right. We’ve walked our asses all over the Disney empire in Florida. We’ve hit up St. Louis. We’ve even done Omaha right.

Over the years, we’ve hit a good balance of touring areas of town, trying out the cuisine, and finding time for deep conversation in the midst.

So, we mastered San Francisco. I mean … as well as anyone can master a large city in four days. Here are a few of the highlights:

-Alcatraz — at night, thank you very much

-Golden Gate Bridge
-Golden Gate Park (not connected to the bridge)
-Cable car

-Ghirardelli

-Dolores Park (a place where real San Franciscans hang out—in fact, we were approached by one who assumed we were locals! Yes! Blending success!)

-Every form of public transportation the city offers, including, technically, a stolen bus ride

(On our first morning there, we dropped off my little car, to which I’d added almost exactly 2,000 miles.)

We even met up with some of my cousin’s friends I’d met in the fall. They are awesome. And so was the food we shared together at a place called Dottie’s True Blue Café.

You really should check out Chris’ report. She gives so many more thoughtful details.