In 2025, I decided to revisit and rewrite these journals, giving them a more in-depth and personal perspective. Much of this came from rediscovering old notes and photographs—fragments of memory that brought the trip vividly back to life.
Reflections, Twelve Years On
This reflection isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s also about possibility. We still hope to return to San Francisco one day, even though our travel logistics have changed dramatically in the intervening years. Back in 2013, we couldn’t have imagined how this city would shape our future journeys—how it would inspire us to explore other U.S. cities and eventually draw us back for repeat visits.Some say San Francisco is an expensive city to visit, but to be honest, I didn’t find it any pricier than New York. Sure, the restaurants can be steep, but fine dining and fancy hotels have never been our thing. We’re more at home in places where the tables and chairs are bolted to the floor than where napkins come folded in wine glasses.
Like most places, you can’t do everything in one trip. For some, ticking off the main tourist attractions is enough. But for us, it’s always been about taking things at a more leisurely pace—trying to experience the city like locals do, while still soaking in the iconic sights. That balance between exploration and ease has become a hallmark of how we travel now.
Extra Stories & Insights
Back in 2013, a visitor passport for Muni cost $28. Now, in 2025, it’s $41. I suppose someone has to pay for all those shiny new buses. One thing that’s always struck me as odd: for a city known as a global tech hub—with Silicon Valley less than forty miles away—San Francisco’s everyday tech often feels surprisingly outdated.Take the bus passes, for example. They used to be scratchcard-style tickets, and even now, with the introduction of the Clipper Card, the old ones are still in circulation. In shops, you’d sign for card payments using a stylus on a screen—signatures that never looked remotely like your own, not that anyone ever checked.
We didn’t know it at the time, but the Pickwick Hotel would become a favourite of ours. There’s just something about it that appealed to us. Maybe it’s the constant soundtrack of fire trucks passing every hour, day and night. Or maybe it’s the location—perfect for transport links and surrounded by cheap, no-frills places to eat. It’s not glamorous, but it’s ours.
Travel & Accessibility
Visiting New York taught us a lot, and we’ve continued learning with every trip since. This San Francisco journey in 2013 would be our last without the use of a wheelchair. Jane’s mobility wasn’t improving, and the next logical step was to embrace whatever tools could help us keep travelling—together.The wheelchair made a real difference. Airports, for one, can be a trek even for the able-bodied, and having the chair helped us navigate them with far less stress. More importantly, it allowed us to reach places quicker and with less strain. But it’s not without its own challenges.
Uneven pavements, potholes, and unexpected dips are constant obstacles. Even the slightest slope—especially those that tilt sideways—can make pushing a wheelchair hard work. You think you’re going in a straight line, but the terrain has other ideas. And let’s be honest: I’m not getting any younger.
Still, adapting has become part of the journey. We’ve learned to plan better, ask questions, and find joy in the places that welcome us with thoughtfulness and care. Accessibility isn’t just about ramps and lifts—it’s about dignity, ease, and the freedom to keep exploring.
The Changing Skyline
Unlike New York, San Francisco evolves at a slower, more deliberate pace. There isn’t the constant construction noise around every corner, nor the endless scaffolding tunnels stretching along the pavements. But like all cities, it doesn’t stand still.One change that hit close to home: John's Ocean Beach Café is no more. The land was sold to a developer, and a new block now stands where the café once welcomed locals and travellers alike. All the old memorabilia that hung on the walls was sold off to the public—so if you were lucky, you could still own a little piece of its history.
Some things, though, remain surprisingly good value. The Academy of Sciences Museum now charges $55 for entry, up from $35 back in 2013. Even with the price hike, I still think it’s worth it. It’s one of those places that leaves a lasting impression.
Over the years, I’ve kept track of the city through local news and social media posts—watching it evolve from afar. Landmark projects have come and gone, like the Salesforce Transit Center, which might just be the most expensive bus station in the world. At $4 billion, it’s a staggering investment—but it does have a rooftop park and garden that spans seven city blocks. That’s San Francisco for you: extravagant, surprising, and somehow still grounded.
The Bay Bridge light show is gone for now, but there’s hope. A revival is planned for 2025—Bay Lights 360—which will double the number of LEDs to 50,000 and wrap the cables so the display can be seen from even more vantage points, including Oakland, Alameda, and Berkeley. A city that glows, even in its quietest moments.
And then there’s the Great Highway. A two-mile stretch of the Upper Great Highway is now permanently closed to vehicle traffic. In November 2024, voters approved Proposition K, transforming the section between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard into a public park for walking, biking, and recreation. No more playing Frogger to cross the road—just open space and fresh air.
Rediscovering Memories, Reflections & Takeaways
Going back through these photographs feels like a lifetime ago one minute, and the next—like it was just yesterday. For me, they’re not just pictures. They’re emotions. That might sound strange, but I’ve come to realise that every photo carries a feeling with it. I’ll be the first to admit I’m not the greatest photographer, but it’s not about the framing—it’s about the memory that clings to each image. That’s what I’ve tried to capture by rewriting these journals.
When I first drafted this journal, I didn’t have the skills to word things the way I wanted. And to some extent, I still don’t. But with the advent of AI to help, that’s changed. I now feel I can express myself more clearly, more honestly. One of the things I’ve always struggled with is getting my thoughts down in a coherent order—what I want to say, how I want it to sound. Having help with spelling, grammar, and structure has made a massive difference. It’s not just about polishing—it’s about finding my voice.
From these rewritten journals, I’ll also update the blog on Blogger, and maybe even build a new website. Whatever happens, these journals will live on. They’ll be here whenever we want to revisit the places we’ve been, the moments we’ve shared. They’ll always be at our fingertips.
“We travel not just to see the world, but to remember who we were when we first saw it.”
Jane & Con – 2015