A scenic start to our Hawai‘i adventure — three nights in San Francisco filled with sea lions, cable cars, redwoods, and sunset chocolate shakes.
Getting there: Heathrow to SFO
We flew direct from Heathrow T5 to San Francisco with BA and stayed the night before at the Hilton via Holiday Extras with parking included — easy, good value, and a calm start. The airport shuttle picked us up right outside the lobby and had us at T5 in about 10 minutes.
A quick passport note: while the USA only requires your passport to be valid for the duration of your stay, we ran into stress at check‑in because one passport expired just two days short of six months. After over an hour on the phone to confirm the rules, we were allowed through — but it was nerve‑wracking. My new rule: I’ll always aim for 6 months remaining to avoid any debate at the desk.
The flight was our longest to date, but the crew looked after us and the time flew by with a great film selection. Louis and I were seated downstairs, while Cole and Stephen were on the upper deck — the plane was huge! Flying in over the bay, we caught views of the Golden Gate Bridge, and Louis even got a photo in the cockpit with the pilot.
At SFO, the MPC app made arrivals so quick I barely remember the airport. We grabbed our bags, called an Uber, and were checking in within the hour.
Fisherman’s Wharf base and first evening
We were dropped at the Marriott on Fisherman’s Wharf, then realised we were meant to be at the Marriott Vacation Club just across the street — thankfully just as nice. Jet lag worked in our favour, so despite being awake 18 hours, we headed to Pier 39 to see the sea lions. The bay views were beautiful, with Alcatraz front and centre and the Golden Gate glowing in the distance. Cable cars clanged by, and every corner felt iconic.
For Stephen’s birthday dinner we walked to Applebee’s. It’s a chain we know from Orlando and great value: $24 for two mains and a side. We ordered two of those and some drinks, then admired the Golden Gate lit up at night — all for under $70. Halfway through the meal the jet lag wall hit, and the ten‑minute walk back felt like a marathon. Lights out.
Sunrise on the pier and a big walk to Sausalito
Wide awake early, we returned to the pier to watch the sunrise — a pinch‑me moment. Determined to keep costs sensible for our four‑part trip, we decided to walk to the Golden Gate Bridge via the Presidio and George Lucas’s Letterman complex.
Crossing the bridge was amazing but busy, and over a mile long — after a while the traffic noise gets a bit samey. On the far side we followed Google Maps down to Sausalito. It’s farther than you think, and even on a mild day we arrived parched. Budget tip: if you’re walking instead of hiring bikes, pack water bottles.
We found a tiny pizza spot on the waterfront that suited the budget, shared a large pizza, and cooled off before catching the ferry back to Fisherman’s Wharf. The ride gave us fresh angles on the bridge and close‑ups of Alcatraz — a nice alternative since we hadn’t booked the tour. With hindsight we’d have lingered longer in Sausalito; it’s lovely, but we were hot, hungry, and ready for a rest.
Back at Pier 1, we took the scenic route to the hotel on very tired legs, located the Avis office for the next morning, and I nabbed a Too Good To Go bag from a nearby bakery. We’d already clocked more than eight miles and it was still early afternoon.
A blissful lie‑down followed, with Stranger Things humming in the background. Later we wandered to Ghirardelli Square for milkshakes the size of a meal and a bag of chocolates for the road. With Halloween decorations up, the square felt festive. Our hotel’s rooftop courtyard — with cosy fire pits and games — was the perfect wind‑down before bed.
Day trip: Muir Woods and a taste of Napa
In the morning we picked up our hire car from Avis down the road. The boys, loyal Land Rover fans, were unimpressed that it was a Jeep and spent a comic half hour critiquing the build. Then we set off for Muir Woods — also home to an Ant‑Man filming spot — which I’d planned from the UK. Parking needs to be pre‑booked, and tours for a family of four felt pricey and short on time, so hiring a car was best value at around $90 for the day, plus $6 for parking. Another bonus: driving the Golden Gate.
We hiked a circular route to the top. The coastal redwoods are breathtaking — tall, peaceful, almost otherworldly — and the views out to the Pacific are worth every step. We chatted with friendly locals on the way down. The loop took about four hours, with steady uphill sections that most people could manage at an easy pace. There’s a lovely, reasonably priced café at the bottom for lunch and souvenirs.
With time to spare, we took the scenic coastal road north for an hour before cutting back through Napa Valley: ocean one minute, rolling vineyards the next. On the outskirts we found a retail park because Cole had his heart set on Levi’s — buy one get one free plus a voucher meant two pairs for under $70, one for him and one for Stephen.
Back in the city, we topped up fuel and ticked off the iconic drive down Lombard Street. It’s slow and a touch gimmicky, but fun for film fans. Fuel was about $10, so the whole day came in much cheaper than an organised excursion — with the freedom to roam.
That evening we tried Applebee’s again, but it was heaving — worth booking ahead. We did a bit of souvenir shopping around Fisherman’s Wharf and grabbed snacks from a supermarket to enjoy back at the room.
Little hotel perks
As a timeshare property, the Marriott Vacation Club had free laundry, which I used while packing, plus complimentary morning coffee and snacks. They also run free tours and exercise classes during the week. If we’d stayed longer, we’d have made good use of them. Consider this a wholehearted Beaumont recommendation.
Final morning: cable cars and brunch
I took an early run along the piers to say goodbye to the sea lions and drop the car keys at the rental office. We then walked to the Cable Car terminus and bought one‑way tickets to save a bit of money. Be aware the lines travel farther than you might expect, so plan for a longer walk back if you only go one way. The steep climbs mean you’re rewarded quickly with sweeping bay views — pure San Francisco magic.
We hopped off in the city and headed straight to Lori’s Diner for brunch on a friend’s recommendation. Classic American theming, a jukebox, big portions, friendly service, and good value. Afterwards, we kept a brisk pace back to the hotel for our airport pick‑up.
If we could do it again
We loved our time in San Francisco and were glad we stayed in Fisherman’s Wharf. With an extra day, we would have visited the Walt Disney Family Museum and toured Alcatraz, lingered longer around the Wharf, and explored more of the parks we’d glimpsed on the way to the bridge. The downtown vibe felt mixed to us, but with five nights we think the city would really open up.
For us, this was a perfect layover on the way to Hawai‘i — a scenic, memory‑packed prologue to the next chapter. Tune in for the next instalment as we check into Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawai‘i
Practical tips
- Aim for 6 months’ passport validity to avoid debates at check‑in
- If you’re walking the bridge instead of hiring bikes, bring water and plan extra time to reach Sausalito
- Pre‑book Muir Woods parking if you’re self‑driving
- Applebee’s and popular spots get busy — reserve if you can
- Fisherman’s Wharf makes a convenient base with easy transport and family‑friendly food
Leave a Comment