San Francisco. A Second Home?

only a sliver of moon was reflecting the sun’s rays and soon that glow would also slip away into the night. There was just enough light to see the cloud tops a few thousand feet below as we peered out from our darkened flight deck. Too far below to paint on our radar, those clouds could still send us a “bump” as their convection continued skyward. So we gently weaved left and right as our passengers slept, bound for San Francisco.

I have spent the majority of my career flying domestic routes around Australia, however my years on the long haul have taken me all around the globe. I love London but have never been there nearly enough. Honolulu has an ocean pool right outside the hotel, so that was a favourite. Still, San Francisco has felt like a second home in some ways as I have spent so much time there.

Possibly, it is the sense of routine. I can navigate the city from memory and know just where to get my “supplies” and which restaurants are worthwhile. When I escape the gym I can wander down to the Ferry Terminal for a pastry and along the waterfront to Pier 39. From there, I can hire a bike and ride the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, catching the ferry back to the terminal.

And then there’s the history. Alcatraz, the Presidio, the USS Hornet across the bay and the former airfield at Crissy Field (see below). There are museums and galleries and landmarks from so many films that I have viewed. At the “Top of the Mark” I can dine where the Doolittle Raiders had their last drink before shipping out. Here, I even donated some Australian challenge coins to their extensive collection.

Furthermore, I have spent so much time in San Francisco that I have created a sea of memories that I can recall every time that I am there. The Giants baseball at the stadium, home of the Irish Coffee at The Buena Vista, The Waterfront Restaurant, fireworks by night and cable cars by day. The list goes on, as do the miles that I cover.

So many of these memories have been shared with Kirrily, both in my time on the 787 and our shared experience on the 747. We would ride the bridge together, find cozy restaurants or stay by the bay in Sausalito. We have spent New Year’s Eve in San Francisco – twice.

Undoubtedly the city has changed somewhat since the pandemic, but there is still so much to see, do and share. And this is the very essence of travel – to experience those things that may not be on hand at home. To me, Australia will always be the lucky country and the only place I would ever choose to live and raise a family. However, when the Boeing’s engines fall silent for the final time, I am certain that San Francisco will hold a special place in my heart.