Can't make my mind up on San Francisco..

I was here 16 years ago as an 18 year old kid. It was the big post-A-levels holiday with a couple of school mates. We were only here for a few days, but I remember leaving having felt, well, not that satisfied. Sure Muir Woods and a few other sites were spectacular, and we couldn't drink being underage and a bit dweebish but still, we visited New York that holiday and I was stunned.

This time I arrived around 2pm with a full blown cold. By 4pm I managed to get checked in, unpacked and out for a wonder. The first thing I found it was blimmin freezing and I didn't have my jumper with me. Anyway, with my new found city walking skills, map and tissues in hand I walked from the hotel (near Union Square) to the very touristy Fisherman Warf which took about 30 mins. On my way I enjoyed passing though what appeared to be a little Italy area (I think called North Beach) and numerous bars and restaurants. The Warf was heaving with Tourists and I escaped into a small square where a 2 piece acoustic guitar and flutist were playing some soft jazz. I grabbed a hot chocolate, nursed my nose and felt quite relaxed. After a while I got up and walked along the front past the millions of crab and fish bars. Tempted but not up to it. Eventually got to Pier 39 which was WAY to touristy for me. So I did the obvious thing and bought a very touristy jumbo hot dog for a mere $5. It was delicious though and I set off a different route home. This took me through the Chinese section. Again apart from shops being Chinese it didn't really impress me, quite drab and run down really. I had noticed all along the large number of homeless and messed up people on the streets. I never have once felt threatened but it's is always there, all day, every day, every where. I was back at the hotel by 8pm'ish, feeling rough, nose dripping but knew I needed to stay up a bit longer for jet lag. My dreams of going for a beer were scuppered and instead had a bath, read a bit and fell asleep around 9:30.

I woke up at 6am and couldn't get back to sleep, Watched 'The Watchmen' film and got up around 10am. The hotel I'm in is crap so decided to google 'Best breakfast in San Francisco' - I was feeling much better! I found two nearby. The first had a massive queue so went to the other one, Brenda's French Soul Food cafe. There was a big queue here too, but you put your name on a list, and as I was just 1 person I got in after 20 mins. I had a sausage omelet and hash browns with toast which was totally delicious. After this I went for a walk using my usual brilliant navigational powers. After getting lost a bit I went back to base for some research. Google told me a free open air theatre festival was on, so I planned to go there. I also booked a comedy club for the evening (to attend rather than host!). The theatre thing was brilliant - really chilled out. It was blazing hot, and this is the kind of thing that is great about cities. After a couple of hours I decided to go to Coit Tower for the spectacular views, something we missed in our 1993 trip. I stopped and got a fruit smoothie which in true American style was outrageously huge. After a bit of panting I made it to the tower, only to find it was closed due to a power cut. How annoying. Trundled back across the city heading for the shops for pressies for the girls and Nanette. I must have done over 4 hours walking today. Used Google Map search on my GPS phone 'Children's stores' and it worked! Now I'm back in my room, about to get something quick to eat and then the comedy night.

San Francisco is an interesting city, but I'm just not feeling it's that different to any other major city. Perhaps you need to spend more time here. The steep roads make for a fantastic setting and there is a San Franciscan 'way' to the locals but to me the in-your-face poverty on literally every street corner speaks of a city with more problems that it lets on.

Missed the girls and Nanette loads. I'm not a brilliant solo traveller at the best of times. Anyway - back to work tomorrow so my mini-break is over unless they want to take me out for dinner/ beers.