My Whirlwind San Francisco Getaway
Just wrapped up an incredible 3-day trip to San Francisco, jetting up from Los Angeles before heading back home to Singapore. I absolutely fell in love with the city!
Finding the Perfect Spot: Fisherman's Wharf
Initially, I planned to stay near Union Square based on recommendations. However, hotel prices were through the roof – apparently, there was some big event happening. Since I'm not much of a shopper, I decided Fisherman's Wharf would be a better fit. I stayed at the Riu Plaza, and it was a great choice!
A shout-out to Quinn at the front desk (hopefully I spelled that right!). He was incredibly helpful and professional. The hotel had a wonderfully comfortable bed, although the bathroom wasn't quite as impressive as some reviews suggested – a sink in the changing area, but no actual door. The location was fantastic, super close to Pier 39 and Ghirardelli Square, and the included breakfast was pretty good.
NBA Heaven: Warriors Game!
As a huge NBA fan, the highlight of the trip was definitely seeing the Warriors play! I managed to snag a seat in the first 10 rows – an absolutely amazing experience. Seeing legends like Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, Jimmy Butler, Green, Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and so many other players right in front of me was unreal. At $250 a ticket, it felt like a steal!
I also splurged at the Chase Center, dropping $1800 on a Curry jersey and an autographed framed photo. Then, I had to shell out another $125 for extra large luggage on the flight home to Singapore. I think I'm a little crazy, but I still can't believe that autographed photo is hanging in my house now.
Rethinking My Transportation Strategy
I made a mistake planning my trip without a car. I ended up buying an Alaska Air ticket for $450, which got me a business class seat, but really it just meant a bigger seat and extra baggage allowance – nothing too fancy. I rented a car in LA (a BMW 4 series for $700), and in hindsight, I should have driven to San Francisco for another three days. I spent about $500 on Uber, including two airport trips ($40 and $60 respectively). I even traveled to Oakland for some basketball training and a few short trips around the city, and Uber felt really expensive there.
After the Warriors game, a 10 PM Uber ride back to the hotel cost me $54.
A Memorable Walk
My best experience, though, was walking from the Riu Plaza to the Chase Center. It took about an hour (3.2 miles), and I strolled through Chinatown, the Union Square area, and part of the Financial District. Of course, this wasn't for the game itself, but to buy souvenirs. The walk offered so many interesting sights, and I really appreciated it.
Hopefully, I'll get to visit the US again soon!
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