Thursday 5 February 2026
Our alarm went off in time to watch Queen Mary 2’s passage under the Golden Gate Bridge from our stateroom balcony at 1 AM this morning. She entered the harbor so early in order to be able to dock at high tide. Then after some more sleep and a leisurely breakfast we ventured out into San Francisco, California. Actually we climbed aboard a tour bus and with SF native Jacob holding the mic, we got a visitor’s orientation to The City on this Thursday before Super Bowl XL. We got a lot of local history and some hints on visiting Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf and traveled the straight part of Lombard Street before crossing the 1.6 mile Golden Gate Bridge into Marin County. Soon we were out on the main drag in Sausalito savoring Madame Croques and sipping coffee on the sidewalk outside Suzette’s then poking into shops. In Versailles we admired the incredible blown glass light fixtures and befriended Simon (see-Mohn). We’ve whizzed by Sausalito more than once on our way to points north of SF. It was delightful to experience it as a destination this time if only for a short visit. Soon enough we were back on the bus learning more about The City by the Bay. As we passed the community of houseboats Jacob told us a story behind Otis Redding’s hit Dock of the Bay, a song dear to San Franciscans. He also laid out a few potential itineraries for us for our second day in The City as well as advised us on nicknames for SF that locals find grating. Soon enough we were off the bus, saying goodbye and thanking Jacob, and waiting for the ferry to take us to the second part of our tour.
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