Day 12 - Final Day in San Francisco

Painted Ladies

I had to check out of my hostel room today and re-check back in, because the tour company I’m going with are placing us in the same rooms. Not entirely sure why I couldn’t have stayed put given that people have come and gone from my room, just seems like someone at the hostel wasn’t very good at logistics – why am I not surprised?

I had a leisurely breakfast, chatting with one of the girls in my room (who wasn’t coming on the tour) but who I’d gotten on really well with, before going to ask the reception staff what time I could recheck back in again. I used this opportunity to provide some feedback about the #sleepingbagsaga. I was pleased it was fed back to the manager and also it’s pretty evident that it wasn’t “San Francisco rules”, but just the hostel’s policy. 

I then set off to have a walk around the Civic Centre area of the city and Alamo  Square, which were places my Hop on Hop off bus had been through, but were clo

Haight Street

se enough to my hostel that I didn’t get off on route. Alamo Square has a nice little park area which was very popular, given it was a Saturday lunchtime, but the main attraction are these Victorian houses all around, which are painted different colours – known as the painted ladies.

The Civic Centre is home to City Hall (very popular for weddings) as well as the opera house, theatre and symphony hall. The symphony hall is designed to look like piano keys coming down along the side of the building.

Symphony Hall

There is also a Jazz centre, which is considered to be the first ever purpose built centre for jazz performance and education, and has photos of well known jazz musicians along the side of the building.

I also visited the Haight district, which is definitely the hippy district!

When I got back to the hostel it was time for a meeting with the tour guide for our trip and a chance to meet the group. The majority of people seem to be in their mid to late 20s and there are a few 30+s which is nice. There are only 14 of us, so there will be plenty of room on the bus.  I’m really looking forward to getting started with this tour. Off to Yosemite tomorrow 😀