Today, I planned to explore the stunning Golden Gate Park in San Francisco before catching my flight to Las Vegas. We woke up around 10 am, with Phillip rousing me from my slumber as he was keen on grabbing breakfast. Feeling groggy, I wasn’t accustomed to hostel breakfasts, preferring something more indulgent, as usual.
Yesterday evening, I had already packed my bag in preparation for departure day today. It was time to move on to a new destination. My flight was scheduled to depart in the evening around 8 pm.
We had a mediocre breakfast and departed around 10:50 am. Phillip needed to be at the bus station by around 11:15 am. His Greyhound bus to Los Angeles was scheduled to depart just 20 minutes later. He planned to spend his remaining days there until around June 23rd, when his flight to Germany was due to depart.
Goodbye Phillip
Everything went smoothly; we quickly ate our breakfast and rushed to check out. While Phillip took care of the checkout process, I retrieved the car from the valet. It usually took them about 10 minutes to bring the car to the main gate. After loading our bags into the trunk, we headed towards the bus station.
After bidding farewell to Phillip, I found myself facing another challenge with my GPS. It seemed to have a mind of its own, working intermittently. Initially, everything seemed alright except for the voice command feature, which refused to cooperate. As a result, I had to develop a new skill while driving: reading the GPS while on the move. It might sound simple, but imagine doing it without a GPS holder and navigating through an unfamiliar city. With my phone in one hand, I had to glance at it constantly to gauge the distance until the next turn. To add to the challenge, all the distances were in feet and miles, making the task even more demanding.
Arrival at the Park
Finally arriving at my destination, the Golden Gate Park, I was met with the daunting task of deciding where to begin my exploration. Following Google Maps, I found my way to an underground parking garage. Upon arrival, I encountered a small snag: the ticket machine was out of order. However, the attendant kindly provided me with a handwritten ticket indicating the time of entry.
Stepping outside the parking area of the Golden Gate Park, I spotted a science center to my right. However, I decided to explore the area around the large fountain first. As I approached, I couldn’t resist capturing a photo of the fountain—a nod to a friend back home who had a fascination with them and had tasked me with photographing every fountain I encountered.
I settled down for a while, enjoying the chilly but comforting warmth of the sun. Life felt peaceful in that moment. I spent about 30 minutes observing people and catching up with a friend over WhatsApp. Eventually, I grew restless and decided to explore the nearby science center. However, upon learning that admission was $30, I hesitated; it seemed a bit steep. Checking online reviews reinforced my doubts—many deemed it overpriced and more suited for children. Considering the abundance of kids in the Golden Gate Park, I realized the museum might not be the right fit for me, fearing I’d be bothered by their presence inside. Up until this day I still remember my experience at the trout center, haha.
A Stroll Through the Golden Gate Park
I opted against visiting the science center and instead chose to stroll around, exploring the various parks of the Golden Gate Park. After about 15 minutes of walking, I stumbled upon the first garden—a lovely rose garden that captivated me with its beauty.
The rose garden of the Golden Gate Park turned out to be relatively small in size. Deciding to venture further, I turned right onto the main road. However, as I walked, I realized I wasn’t encountering much of interest. Turning once more, I headed toward the forested area. It was a pleasant stroll through the pine trees, their small and freshly planted stature adding to the charm. I couldn’t resist capturing some photos of these young trees; there’s just something captivating about them.
After a while, I made the decision to stroll back to the science center and grab a drink. Upon entering the souvenir shop of the Golden Gate Park, I realized they only stocked souvenirs, with no beverages available. Opting for a practical purchase, I ended up buying some batteries instead.
Finding a Hidden Gem
I had been parked here for two hours already, and to avoid paying for another hour of parking, I made the decision to leave the Golden Gate Park. After a quick Google search, I found a subway nearby and decided to head there for a drink and lunch.
I parked the car nearby and enjoyed a pleasant meal at a restaurant. At some point, I made use of the restroom in one of the nearby establishments. Upon returning to the car, I consulted the map and decided to continue along the main road I was currently on, assuming it would lead me back to the city.
As I traversed the hilly road, I crested a hill and discovered that the road abruptly ended. Intrigued by the unexpected sight before me, I promptly parked the car and stepped out to investigate further.
Lands End
I found myself at Lands End, a realization facilitated by an information map conveniently located at the car park. Recalling my visit to the lighthouse the day before, I realized I had viewed this area from a distance. Eager to explore further, I embarked on a stroll to catch a different perspective of the Golden Gate Bridge from this vantage point, just 0.3 miles from the car park.
Strolling through this serene landscape was a delightful surprise, especially considering I stumbled upon it without prior knowledge. The vibrant flowers and the flurry of birds added to the enchantment of the moment. As I rounded a corner a few minutes later, my gaze fell upon the distant silhouette of the Golden Gate Bridge. It dawned on me that this might be my final glimpse of this iconic landmark.
From this vantage point, I could spot the lighthouse that Phillip and I visited yesterday. It was a poignant moment to behold the bridge one last time. I knew I would miss its majestic presence.
The USS San Francisco Memorial
At the top of the stairs, I reached another parking area where I noticed a memorial adorned with a large American flag. This memorial was dedicated to those who served on the USS San Francisco. The ship played a pivotal role in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, a significant engagement in the Solomon Islands. The battle was fiercely fought between the United States and Japan, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. Ultimately, the United States succeeded in retaining control of the Solomon Islands, securing vital trading routes with Australia.
The battle occurred in November 1942. That’s the extent of what I can recall about it at the moment.
I explored the area for about 5 minutes before returning to the lookout. Taking a seat on the bench, I sipped on my coke. I had grabbed a refill at Subway earlier, and I still had my large cup. It struck me how large the cups were here in the US. Typically, they’d give you a big cup unless you specifically requested a smaller one.
After a while, I made my way back to the car. Although I still had some time left, I felt it was time to head to the airport and prepare for my flight.
As I walked back to the car park, I couldn’t resist capturing some final snapshots of the rugged coastline. The scenery was truly breathtaking. What a perfect way to end my time in San Francisco.
Towards the Airport
In the car, I searched for the Thrifty car rental shop. To my surprise, the receipt indicated an address in Oakland, on the other side of San Francisco Bay, across the Golden Gate Bridge. Concerned, as I had planned to head straight to the airport, I pondered the situation. Ultimately, I dismissed the idea of returning the car to their Oakland location and decided to drive directly to the airport.
The road from Lands End offered stunning views of the beach, and initially, Google Maps navigated smoothly. Navigating to the airport itself wasn’t overly challenging, as I was familiar with the route and the necessary highway. However, reaching the rental return area posed some difficulty due to the complexity of the highway ramps and overpasses, causing Google Maps to struggle. Nevertheless, after some maneuvering, I successfully arrived and returned the car.
Unexpected Benefits at the Rental Counter
The woman inquired about the scratches on the left side of the car, expressing doubt about my explanation that they were pre-existing. Lacking documentation to support my claim, I recalled the valet service incident in Hollywood and suspected they were responsible. Irritated, I asserted, “It must have been the valet service I used in Los Angeles.” As tension mounted, the woman suddenly interjected, “Oh, I noticed something. It appears you have insurance. You are covered, so you don’t have to worry about anything.” Disbelieving, I sought confirmation, to which she reassured, “Yes, honey, you are covered.”
The incredible luck I’ve encountered on this journey continues to surprise me! Haha, I distinctly remember telling the guy in Los Angeles that I didn’t need anything extra. I never opt for insurance on rental cars; it’s pricey, and I always take good care of the vehicles I drive. To my amazement, the woman at the rental counter informed me that I could claim a refund for the fuel. Although I had accepted their fuel offer, I returned the car with a full tank, entitling me to some money back. “What a day,” I thought, feeling grateful. It turned out to be a pleasant surprise—a refund of 45 euros. Not a fortune, but certainly a nice bonus!
Let the Waiting Game Begin
Following that, I boarded the small train headed for the airport. The journey offered picturesque views, and as we approached the San Francisco airport, its vast size became apparent.
I waited in the main hall for an hour and a half before checking in, as depicted in picture 2 above. My flight was with Southwest Airlines, known for being a low-budget carrier. To my surprise, when checking in, I discovered that I didn’t have to pay for my checked bag. Considering that other American airlines typically charged $25 for a checked bag, this was unexpected. Even on previous flights with different carriers, including one from Hawaii to LA that cost me a small fortune, I had to pay the baggage fee. It was ironic that a supposedly low-budget airline didn’t charge for checked baggage while others did.
I was quite impressed with Southwest Airlines. Following check-in, I proceeded to go through TSA (Transportation Security Administration) for the security check. Although the process went smoothly overall, my bag was selected for a search, during which they discovered a bottle of sunscreen. It was a foolish oversight on my part for not checking my bag thoroughly beforehand. I instructed the officer to dispose of the sunscreen and apologized for my carelessness. Despite the inconvenience, I found the TSA officers to be courteous and professional. While they maintained a serious demeanor, they remained polite throughout the interaction, which I appreciated.
I spent another hour waiting near the gate as the flight was delayed by 30 minutes, but I didn’t mind much. The flight to Las Vegas was relatively short, lasting only 1 hour and 10 minutes. Despite some minor turbulence along the way, the flight went smoothly. The pilot had warned us about potential bumps during landing, but everything turned out fine. The landing itself was quite impressive; from above, it appeared as though Las Vegas was encircled by water, although it was just the dark expanse of the desert. We touched down around 9:45 PM.
Arrival at North Las Vegas Airport
The moment I stepped into the gate area, I couldn’t miss the sight of the slot machines. It felt like I had already stepped into a casino.
I made my way to the baggage claim area, which was surprisingly vast! It resembled a large wholesale building, with numerous baggage belts stretching across the space. Everywhere I looked, there were advertisement signs and neon displays. Las Vegas was gearing up for the upcoming Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), a festival featuring renowned artists like Tiesto, Avicii, Afrojack, and many others. Although their music wasn’t quite my taste, I entertained the idea of attending if I could snag some affordable tickets. However, street tickets were going for a staggering 600 USD, way out of my budget! The festival was scheduled to span three days, kicking off on June 20th.
After collecting my baggage, I made my way to the public bus stop outside the airport. Following the instructions from the hostel website, I anticipated a straightforward journey. However, their information turned out to be incorrect. Undeterred by the warm, dry weather, I was eager to reach the hostel as soon as possible. Unfortunately, I found myself at a different bus station instead. Aware of the hostel’s location in a less-than-desirable neighborhood, I hesitated to embark on a 30-minute walk. Seeking guidance, I approached a station employee who suggested taking the Boulder Highway bus, assuring me that it would stop at Fremont Street, where my hostel was situated.
A Dodgy Neighborhood
I followed the employee’s advice and boarded the Boulder Highway bus, arriving at my destination just 20 minutes later. It was already 11 pm when I reached the hostel. As I navigated through the neighborhood, a sense of unease crept over me. The warnings I had read online about the area echoed in my mind. Booking last minute had its consequences, and now I found myself in a dodgy neighborhood, far removed from the glitz and glamour of the Strip.
As I walked through the neighborhood, it felt eerily deserted, with homeless individuals roaming around like zombies. “Great planning, genius,” I muttered to myself sarcastically. Despite the desolation, I noticed secured parking areas and commercial security vehicles patrolling the streets, adding to the unsettling atmosphere.
Check in at the Hostel
Upon arriving at the hostel, I checked in and paid for two nights. However, due to a declined credit card limit, I would settle the remaining payment later, once my limit refreshed, likely tomorrow.
I stayed up late until 3 am, working on reports. I grabbed some coke and snacks from the 7/11 across the street. The dorm appeared clean and boasted an excellent air conditioning system. Despite the chilly temperatures during the night, it was actually quite refreshing.
