San Francisco

[Please scroll down for the English version]

[LV]
Pirmais lielceļš (Highway 1) pamatoti ir iemantojis savu slavu kā skaists braucamais gabals. Līkumots ceļš, kurš paver skatus uz mežonīgo piekrasti. Ja ir iespēja, tad noteikti vismaz gabaliņš no tā būtu jāizbauda – virzienā no ziemeļiem un dienvidiem. :)

Tiesa gan šī stāstā galvenā tēma ir San Francisco. Pilsēta, kurai garām bijām pabraukuši vairākas reizes, nodomājot – gan jau nākamreiz. Un tā katru reizi. Šoreiz tā reize pienāca.

Zelta vārtu tilts (Golden Gate Bridge) bija pirmais apskates objekts. Diezgan iespaidīgi, ņemot vērā izaicinājumu ar kuru nācās saskarties inženieriem un celtniekiem. Lai gan sākumā nebija plānots pārāk ilgi uzturēties tilta apkaimē, beigās pavadījām vairāk kā pusi dienas. Apskatījām to no visiem rakursiem, sagaidījām, kad pazūd migla un nolēmām, ka ja reiz esam šeit, aiziesim līdz tā vidum. Tiltam ir arī sava ēnas puse – tā ir populāra vieta, kur cilvēki izlemj pielikt punktu savai dzīvei. Diezgan briesmīga nāve… Varbūt arī tāpēc uz tā atrasties gājēji vakarā nedrīkst?!

Protams, mūs interesēja ne tikai tilts, bet arī pilsēta. Tāpēc dienas nobeigumā devāmies to apskatīt – no augšas. Diezgan pārapdzīvota, tomēr skaista tā ir. Pilsēta nedaudz atgādina Vankūveru, kas pat dod tādu kā mājīguma sajūtu.

Bonusā dabūjām arī fantastisku saulrietu. Vēl viena lieliska diena.

[EN]
Highway 1 is famous for a reason, and it’s truly beautiful drive to take. Windy road, which provides ability to enjoy the beautiful and rugged Pacific coast. If you have a chance you should enjoy at least part of it – driving north to south. :)

Our main focus however was San Francisco, city, which we have passed by so many times with idea to see it next time. Whenever that next time would be. This time however we didn’t want to pass.

Golden Gate Bridge was first on the list. It’s quite impressive, considering the challenges that engineers and builders faced. Despite the fact that we didn’t intend to be around bridge for too long, half day flew by and we were still there. Looked at bridge from every possible angle, waited for haze to fade away and decided to take a walk to the middle of the bridge. If we are finally here why not to do it. Golden Gate Bridge also has its dark side – it’s quite popular place for those who have decided to take their lives. Must be a terrible way to die… Might also be the real reason why authorities don’t allow pedestrians on bridge after dark?!

After finishing our way too long tour of the bridge we finally got into the San Francisco itself. It was nice to see and enjoy city from the top. Quite overcrowded, but still beautiful. For us it resembles Vancouver a bit, that gives a bit of that “at home” feeling.

As added bonus we got spectacular sunset. Another great day.