I’m routinely surprised by native San Franciscans who’ve never been to Alcatraz, seen Pier 39, or gone whale watching. Yes, they’re touristy things to do. They’re also very interesting and lots of fun!
Agreed! I routinely cycle around the city and one of my favorite loops is along the Embarcadero and up through Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf.
We live in a beautiful city that people come from all over to see and there are good reasons for that. I’ll also offer to take pictures of families taking their photos with the sea lions (which I also always stop to watch) and chat them up a bit. Fun times.
I have to comment on this because it's so relevant to this moment. My partner has been telling me how much I would enjoy Alcatraz (I've never been because tourists in airports wear Alcatraz tshirts; what a dumb way to single yourself out). I finally agreed to go see it sometime, but you have to understand that being around a bunch of tourists is offputting when you're in your own space.
I remember someone telling me how much she hated tourists taking photos in the middle of the street at the top of hills and blocking traffic, then we saw someone doing exactly that. Her response: "This is a working city!" I understood the frustration.
Whale watching, hell yeah. We are going at the end of June around Monterey Bay. That doesn't feel touristy to me at all.
I finally went to Alcatraz after years where I've either lived in SF or visited for work. It was worth spending some time out there! Great views as well.
We live in a beautiful city that people come from all over to see and there are good reasons for that. I’ll also offer to take pictures of families taking their photos with the sea lions (which I also always stop to watch) and chat them up a bit. Fun times.