🇺🇸 Scottish Guy goes to America's Most Controversial City

[@shaunvlog]

SCAM ALERT - if someone that looks like me replies to you in the KZbin comments asking you to text them, this is not me. Please be careful out there folks. It’s only me if it has the verified tick next to my name ✅ Appreciate you all 💜

[@SherryAnnOfTheWest]

Did you enjoy the food in SanFrancisco? It's quite a pricey city, but I love the restaurants (it's a bit like Vegas to me: you can find almost any cuisine you like and it's all good) and there are quite a lot of beautiful spots. Also, it's quite cool, which is actually nice in the summer --- per Mark Twain: "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco."

[@cwfan2]

Oh yeah, I've picked up a couple of those scammers before. I enjoy messing with them occasionally. I was "engaged" to Vince Gill once. He said he would get a divorce and marry me. Sure, Vince Gill is going to divorce Amy Grant and marry me. I believe that one! He got hopping mad when I donated money to one of Vince's charities and didn't send it to him. We are no longer "engaged". I'm sure Amy is relieved.

[@cwfan2]

Yes, he replied to me and I reported him to YT.

[@bkm2797]

Thank you for letting us know, most don't!

[@tatiannazutania7751]

@@SherryAnnOfTheWest Just got a reply from whoever it is. I'm very suspicious , so I reported him/her/it to Yahoo. I hate the low lives who are scammers. They are below pond scum. Thank you for letting us know.

[@kweicee]

Fun little factoid about Golden Gate Park - before it was a park, it was sand dunes. Then it became the dumping ground for all the horse manure generated by transportation before automobiles became common. The park started out literally organically fertilized!

[@jeffnorris7592]

For those of you inspired to make a trip to SF, one of the lesser known attractions is Fort Point, a Civil War era brick fort located literally under the south end of the Golden Gate. You get there from Crissy Field at the Presidio. Admission is free, it's a step back in time and the views are fabulous. The Fort guarded the Golden Gate but never saw any military action. SF is many many different cities all existing together. It constantly changes, and every era leaves a remnant that is absorbed into the city fabric. I don't like cities, much prefer the natural lands, but if I have to live near one, SF is it.

[@trentgay3437]

I totally found it one Time just looking for a place to park and relax for a few minutes. I've only been to s.f. a couple times but always had fun.

[@leilaamery]

Hi Shaun. On your video First Impressions of San Francisco, at 4:10, it showed you crossing the Carquinez Bridge. This bridge is actually just 10 miles (16 km) from John Muir’s house. Just a fun fact that I wanted to share with you because you seemed a little sad that Muir Woods was not directly associated with John Muir.

[@electronics-girl]

Not sure what makes San Francisco America's most controversial city. Sure, it's expensive to live there, but that's true of most major world cities. I'm from Southern California, so naturally I prefer LA over San Francisco, but that's just a little regional rivalry. I'm not sure what America's most controversial city would be... maybe Las Vegas?

[@wolfe6220]

I hear you on being wore out. Sometimes you just have to take a day or two and just unplug, rest and wind down.

[@striker3]

Just to mention that some of those RedWood trees are as much as 3200 years old.That would be A tree known as the President is believed to be the oldest living redwood tree. love your videos!

[@charliedavis8894]

I haven't been to SF in years but I have fond memories of riding the trolley cars, eating clam chowder in a sourdough bowl on the Wharf then coming home with a bunch of sourdough bread. It was so much better than what is sold in grocery stores now as SF Sourdough.

[@sharonsmith583]

Love following you on your travels! I visited San Francisco many years ago, glad all the wonderful attractions are still there. It's a beautiful place

[@sharonshade4437]

Gorgeous footage Shaun!

[@jeanphillips1030]

Oh Shaun I pray for Windy and cold. It's the end of July in Massachusetts and hit 100 with high humidity.

[@phil1pd]

3:17 that looks sooo good

[@ChrisJohnsonChannel]

Dude when you got back to the hotel room, you looked exhausted 🥱

[@cwfan2]

I've never been to California. I'm staying in Missouri because I've been here my entire life and the cost of living is cheaper than either the east or west coast.

[@kenlongfellow]

Recognizing you only have so much time to see sights around the city, perhaps you'll get the opportunity to return one day. If you do, I recommend seeking the "back stairs" that climb to Coit Tower. Lovely little cottages with nice gardens along this stairway (which goes from near the wharves up to the tower that is a historical site of the city). I'm surprised at your choice for lunch but, of course, SF has so many wonderful options it is difficult to decide amongst them all. While quite different, California = Caledonia when it comes to natural beauty.

[@blakerh]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@christopherhall6471]

Awwww.........Just subscribed. I live on the East Coast now but grew up in both Oakland and San Francisco. I haven't really thought about it too much till I came across this video, but now I'm missing the Bay lol. In my mid 30's now and haven't been back in 10 years but that will always be home. Hope y'all enjoyed SoCal, it can be overwhelming if you don't have a plan as LA is a city that goes on forever lol. Regardless, have fun and safe travels

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

Golden Gate Park was built on land that was originally covered with sand dunes. The park was designed and built by William Hammond Hall and John McLaren (who was born in Bannockburn, Scotland). Believe it or not, Vermont Street in San Francisco is even more crooked than Lombard Street. It's less well-known because it's not as pretty, and it's not as easy to get to. There's an annual Big Wheel race down Vermont Street where people ride tricycles down the steep hill. The holes in the redwood trees were caused by fires. These trees can survive having their insides partially burned out. If you look closely, you can see the charring. The clover-like plants in Muir Woods are redwood sorrel. They're a type of oxalis, not closely related to clover. At 13:56 you can see a banana slug on the face of the log. This type of slug is common in redwood forests, and is the official team mascot of the University of California at Santa Cruz. At one point someone tried to make it the California official state mollusk, but the bill didn't make it through the legislature. John Muir did have Bay Area connections. He lived in Martinez, across the bay from San Francisco, and his house is now a historic landmark. He may not have had anything to do with Muir Woods, but he did help convince Congress to turn Yosemite into a national park. He wanted to do the same for Hetch Hetchy Valley, right next to Yosemite, but it was turned in to a reservoir to supply water to San Francisco. I wish you'd had a chance to have some Mexican and Chinese food while you were in San Francisco.

[@dobiebloke9311]

Jeff Lichtman - First off, I loved your post. Skipping over the first part of it (for no reason), but as at by the second part, you began to discuss slugs and politics, all of which I concur, or at least, understand. As well, I usually don't expect such wisdom from anyone, let alone you. I mean no personal offense to you, but it is a pretty sticky wicket, being just a round about way of saying I dig what you say. In New York, I forget if it is the Manhattan Bridge, or the Brooklyn Bridge, but they are in sight of each other, and altho not as large, are of a similar design as the 'Golden Gate' bridge. On the Manhattan side, of whichever bridge, one of the two main stanchions that this bridge is 'suspended' by, is just floating on sand (underwater, and not solid bedrock, as typical of such bridges). As well, what you say about the hollow of redwoods being fire burnt, the native Indians knew (and thus, some white folks know), that fire cures wood of rot, better than not. Charred wood is a sort of 'antibiotic' to a tree, and the Indians knew that a charred post embedded in the ground, lasted far longer than one that wasn't. People (the smart ones), still do so to this day.

[@bkm2797]

Wow, such a short period of time you spent here in San Francisco, but I'm impressed with how much you accomplished in that short space of time. Very happy you did go to Muir Woods too! So rest up, and hopeful we will see you soon.

[@PerthTowne]

I really enjoy your videos. I think you do a lot more justice to the places you visit than many other vloggers I've seen. I love San Francisco, the architecture, the gardens, the different neighborhoods. I've been there several times, but I live on the east coast and I haven't been out there for a few years. I'd love to visit again one day. Homelessnes? Poverty? Unfortunately, they are found in most urban areas. It's a very sad reality. I don't think of San Francisco as controversial, although because the city is thought of as one of the more left-leaning cities in the country politically, it is often a target of people with a different political perspective. But considered just as a tourist attraction, it certainly is one of the most beautiful cities in the US and definitely worth spending a couple of days to explore it. Loved your Muir Woods photography, by the way. Looking forward to your next video.

[@kenziedayne4234]

I'm 50 and spent the first 20 years of my life in San Fran. I've since lived in several other cities in the US, and in my mind none of them beats SF for beauty. Due to the cost though, I'll never go back except to visit. Makes me a bit sad. I'd love it if I could afford to live there.

[@RR64434]

100% agreed. I lived in San Francisco for 15 years starting in my late 20’s and left for the same reasons. I visit at least once a year to see my friends. SF has the best combination of City, Nature, Cuisine, Culture, Historical Significance and Technology that it is incomparable to any other US city. People like to dog it because of the Homeless problem but most of them are not from SF and go there for the services and because our mental health system is terrible.

[@jbs454]

What is the biggest problem with San Francisco? I live in Midwest and it’s portrayed as homeless pooping all over the streets, very horrible political leadership, and super expensive taxes and living expenses. Will it ever turn around?

[@aminy23]

​@@jbs454 You pretty much answered your own question. It's a small peninsula with extremely mild weather that used to be liberal, diverse, and inclusive. Then it became these things in name only. They kicked out half the black people, in 1970 Census records show there were around 100,000, by 2020 there were 50,000. Despite the politicians chant BLM as if they actually care. With Silicon Valley it became super-gentrified. Rich techies from around the world came and bought out the houses of the people who live there. The people who lived there became homeless and many remain on the street. In that whole region, they try to avoid building houses because houses are bad for the environment. As a result the cost of houses for many, many miles skyrocketed. Since the pandemic, people had the chance to work from home, so a huge number of people left their tiny SF apartments for big suburban homes that cost less. Now the city is experiencing a massive collapse of businesses.

[@James-itm]

Shaun, thanks for setting the tone that you are enjoying the journey! I’ve been to San Francisco the food was phenomenal and the places to visit where nice. Like all places in the world, eat the cherries and spit out the pits! Enjoy the journey!

[@dobiebloke9311]

James - just to be the dick, they are 'pits', more than 'seeds', altho a pit might be considered a seed, but no all seeds are considered 'pits'. Just playing around with your head, but that's close to true.

[@user-xm5le5ok2r]

@@dobiebloke9311 Enjoy life. Take care!

[@dobiebloke9311]

@@user-xm5le5ok2r - ?

[@nickallain]

Muir Woods is great. You definitely just scratched the surface. There's a lot of things to put in your mouth in SF. It's a foody city. Next time, do the un-tourist thing and get Burmese food, Chinese soup dumplings, visit Oakland/Berkeley, etc. I lived in the SF Bay Area for 9 years and only recently left. In 9 years, never ran out of unique things to do.

[@pyrovania]

The lighthouse at Drakes Bay is a good one too. Is the Tonga Room still there?

[@fixpacifica]

@@pyrovania Yes, the Tonga Room is still at the Fairmont.

[@joanneth4919]

Well, if you get back there, Fort Point underneath the GG Bridge is a great place to see. Go get a Burrito out on Chavez and 25th Avenue. Also, even though it is touristy got to go to Fisherman's Wharf and up Jefferson Street to Aquatic Park. It still has some good eating places to go to.

[@raeperonneau4941]

The nicest thing about living in San Francisco is that you walk up and down so many hills every day that you can pretty much eat anything you like… and because so many people move there from all over the world you can get any kind of food your heart desires. ❤️ I’m so glad that you got to see it on a beautiful sunny day they are very rare. 😂

[@collo5351]

I LOVE San Francisco. BEST Blues bars EVER!!!!! So many fun and interesting things to do in San Francisco.

[@marcydrake9159]

Shaun, if you love John Muir and big trees, you should visit Yosemite! That is the place that captured his heart and for good reason.

[@tonybirch9672]

The only reason why some people that dont like SF is because of political reasons. I love it here and will never move out.

[@shaunvlog]

Please go to 00:48 in the video to hear my explanation of why San Francisco has become controversial as a topic - the vast amount of comments i received in previous proved as much. Thank you for watching 😀

[@sherylw4599]

The most controversial thing in this video was the white chocolate. :D.

[@ronluk76]

Shaun, as a local, I'm glad that you told the approach of visiting San Francisco with an open mind and no preconceived notions and I'm glad you seem to have enjoyed your time here. I agree that you believe wherever visit for the first time regardless of the location it's a good rule of thumb to live by in general. That's how I approach life when I am going somewhere I've never been before or interacting with people I've never interacted with before! God bless and have a great day and keep up the good work with the videos.

[@lauriemartin490]

There is nothing any more controversial about San Francisco than any other American city. Every city has issues with homelessness and crime, whether the city's politics leans left or right. I live in the red state of Arizona and we have those problems here too. Of course, right wing internet commenters will tell you it's all because of "Commie-fornia" because they are mature adults and childish name calling is what mature adults do.😂

[@tastyneck]

@@lauriemartin490 Exactly. People who don't even live here thinking they're experts about this city because they saw some idiot on a certain brainworm channel whining about it. Maybe they should turn that energy onto the plights of their own areas and communities.

[@remsencey]

@@lauriemartin490 The fact that you had to go out of your way to say "right wing internet commenters" shows that what said commenters have had to say is right. San Francisco is a lost city run by careless Democrats who don't care about the vast rise in crime and social collapse. Nowhere in any red state is anything comparable to that going on. Also, the faulty cities you'll find in "red states" are Democrat-run.

[@mdsh00]

John Muir is a very important part of California history. Back in the early 2000s the US Mint started a series of "state quarters" featuring designs from each state. California's has the image of John Muir overlooking El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.

[@ronluk76]

Yes, I don't like it when people say stuff like "why would you have such and such kind of food in San Francisco? It's not going to be authentic to that region or country!" What people don't realize that because San Francisco has such a great reputation as a restaurant town and because San Francisco and the Bay Area are so diverse you get so many people from all over the US and the world who have moved to rhe Bay Area and started restaurants serving the cuisine from where they came from. I am here because my parents immigrated from China and moved to the Bay Area for better ecomomic opportunnities and most of my American born friends were not born and raised in the Bay. They were born and raised in another part of the US. They moved to the Bay Area for better economic opportunities.

[@yuppers1]

Exactly. My brother worked at several Michelin-starred restaurants in the area. This is where a lot of talent is.

[@patrioticz2858]

San Francisco is also known for human feces and used needles on the sidewalk. Btw I am also a Californian.

[@billsfo6400]

I live in San Francisco, when did this City become America’s most controversial City? Do you mean America’s most Liberal City? Of course so is Portland OR and Seattle. 🇺🇸

[@James-itm]

Take care of your body. Get some physical, emotional, and mental rest. Driving like that can be tiring. The videos can wait. Listen to your body and rest. Enjoy the journey!

[@desertrose0027]

I love to visit San Francisco (and California). There is so much to offer in terms of tourism and natural beauty. With the cost of living what it is there, however, I don't think we could ever live there. You hit a lot of the highlights on your trip, though I didn't see Fisherman's Wharf. I've thought before that I'd hate to live on Lombard street, and have tourists driving down it all the time. I'm sure there are many accidents. 😆 Edit: This is probably in the past, but if you're driving South you should stop in Carmel. Cute little beach town. Route 1 down the coast also has gorgeous views.

[@nobodyhere017]

Firstly completely agree with you about keeping an open mind when traveling, commenting or just life in general. I'm also though really glad you got to visit Muir Woods. It's certainly one of my favorite places on earth and so I'm very glad again you enjoyed it too. It's a special place. Thanks as always for sharing your adventures Shaun!

[@suecastillo4056]

Lived there for a year upstairs at my dear Uncles bar! I was 17 and had a BLAST!!! It was in the Haight/Ashbury district. My mom always thought it was named that because everyone ‘ hated’ a guy named Ashbury… my maiden name is Muir… great Scots-Irish ancestors in Appalachia… proud of my heritage! Clan Muir♥️❣️🙋‍♀️☮️🎶🧜‍♀️

[@rmabry1076]

Have wanted to travel to SF for awhile. Hoping to sometime soon.

[@angelagraves865]

I grew up near SF and was taken there often as a kid, I also lived there for a little while when I was 18-19 and absolutely loved it. I live just north of the city now and San Francisco is a great place to go for the day or evening, there's so much to do and see. I always feel lucky that I live so close. I'm glad you got to experience it, too.

[@dancinggiraffe6058]

I’m so glad you enjoyed San Francisco! I’ve lived here for 54 of my 72 years, and I’m not tired of it yet. What a good idea on your friends’ part, to take you to Muir Woods - it’s such a beautiful place. One thing that’s sort of amusing for me in your videos is that you don’t project on your face what your opinion is going to be, so when you ask yourself the question, “So what did I think of ________?” I never know whether you’re going to say it was great or it was rubbish! 😄 When you come to this area again, I hope you’re here in the late spring and can go to Yosemite.

[@jonferdig3205]

Dude!!!! you ever hear of YOSEMITE???? that is John Muirs legacy..... hope you visit there.....and if you do and drive thru Los Banos.... toss me wave....

[@suecastillo4056]

Welcome to America!! I know it’s not your first trip to our country❣️Just enjoy yourself!!! Keep out of political banter, be kind, and you’ll be just fine! I’m glad you’re visiting!!!♥️❣️🕉☮️🙋‍♀️

[@marcuscole4394]

Very nice, Shaun. I appreciate that there are Brasilerios still in San Francicso. Nice community indeed. Thank you for the tour and your experiences. I lived there for 22 years, always loved it. Hope to be in Scotland one day. Happy and safe travels.

[@Estenberg]

I love San Francisco. I used to live in Chicago, and then Boston, New York, Paris, Amsterdam, and Vienna. Now I live in Los Angeles, which is different from any of the other cities I've lived in. In fact, when I moved to LA in 1997, Los Angeles didn't really even have public transportation (although now it does). So, years ago, when I craved to be in a "REAL" city with an actual subway, I would take my family to San Francisco, which is the most like a city back east that I can find within a thousand miles of LA. San Francisco has great food, well defined neighborhoods, fantastic architecture, amazing museums, great theater & opera, a rich history that you can see on every hill. And it has that "all-important" public transportation system based on old fashioned cable-cars alongside ultra modern subways. And SF feels like a "Real" City, and it is is beautiful. So San Francisco scores extremely high on on my "Great Cities" checklist. However SF is very expensive to live in, so I never even considered it.

[@madelaine6]

Love the tour... this is an amazing city, with big city problems that are not all that unusual. Glad you are enjoying yourself!

[@Patriwoo1]

Absolutely fantastic! What a beautiful spotlight on a beautiful city! Glad you're able to rest up after your journey before the next one!

[@shaunvlog]

Thank you very much Patti 😊

[@johnnabuzby6103]

@@shaunvlog Thank you for taking me along with y'all across the Golden Gate Bridge Shaun and Teka. I lived a few years in Southern California [Ridgecrest, Kern County] and the farthest north I went was to Monterey Bay, near San Francisco, but not close enough to see the Golden Gate Bridge. Monterey Bay was very nice. We encountered a big seal (sea lion?) there at a boat ramp, just sunning itself [we got up really close to it, thought about trying to pet it, but since we're rather fond of our fingers we thought better of it.] This was along Fisherman's Wharf back in September of 1995. Greetings from eastern North Carolina, USA.

[@tastyneck]

After being here for two decades, I'm thankful that you two shared your experiences here and I got to re-see my city through new eyes. Glad you enjoyed yourselves and I hope you two get to re-visit just the Bay Area and Northern California at some point in the future.

[@Deus-Too]

I can appreciate the fact that you want to taste food in every area of America that you go. 2 years ago we took a trip to Scotland, and the first thing I wanted to do was taste Haggis! My wife found out what was in it, and she wanted nothing to do with it, although I have to admit, I thought it was quite good! I had Haggis pie in a restaurant that was recommended to us in Edinburgh, it was wonderful! Enjoy your trip to America! 👍🇺🇸 BTW, John Muir was very influential in preserving natural woodlands in America, and in particular, creating Yosemite National Park.

[@amyschmelzer6445]

We were in Edinburgh a couple weeks ago. Haggis was also on my must-try list, so we made sure to order it at the very first restaurant we went to. Fortunately my entire family enjoyed it even after learning what is in it. We ended up eating it several different ways before we left.

[@conniedavis172]

Been there twice. Best vacation ever though I nearly froze both times. Take warm clothes even in July if you plan to be on the coast or the wharf. It's pricey, but it's fun. I walked California Street and went to Chinatown everyday for a week. I wish I had found your southern food though. I'm from Kentucky and lived on fruit and pizza for a week.

[@huskeyfosterfail4980]

Living here in the Bay Area, I hope you return because indeed not enough time being here 2.5 days. Most of us don’t even go into the City because there is so much to do outside of it. Be sure to visit Monterey and drive asilomar beach. Then drive highway 1 Big Sur, 101 to LA stopping in Santa Barbara. Skip highway 5.

[@glendabarton45barton48]

Yes Big Sur and Monterey, Salinas, the Santa Lucia mountains rising steeply above the jade-green ocean, pearly white sand dunes in Pacific Grove, Carmel, Watsonville artichoke capital of the world, majestic Monterey Pines dripping fog in the night, sculptured Monterey cypresses. Another unparalleled spot of California beside my favorite San Francisco, Ojai and Sonoma County.

[@huskeyfosterfail4980]

@@glendabarton45barton48 yes home sweet home! My favorite in all of CA is central coast. Recommend visiting Carmel Village plus the Pinnacles National Park in Soledad and wine tasting in the Salinas Valley and in Paso Robles. A quick stop is Paso’s downtown is lovely too.

[@jmilne29]

Glad you enjoyed San Francisco and the big California trees. Another Great Scot - Robert Louis Stevenson was married in San Francisco and wrote about it and California as well.

[@wPatrickSF]

Robert Louis Stevenson State Park is about 80 miles north of San Francisco. He built a vacation cabin there, which is still standing.

[@lairdcummings9092]

You found unusually good weather in San Francisco. No fog? Warm and comfortable weather? Unheard of! Edit: A shame you couldn't get further north into the Wine Country. Some of the best wines in the world, much to the chagrin of the French.

[@shaunvlog]

Yeah we got lucky in that front - it was a very cold wind mind you

[@lairdcummings9092]

Spencer Battery and the Marin Headlands were common, favorite hangouts when I lived in the area.

[@lairdcummings9092]

If ever you find yourself back in the Bay Area, you might try the Wine Train tour - a train excursion to a number of notable vineyards, without needing to drive.

[@glendabarton45barton48]

I lived all over the City and the fog could be daunting in the summer. Supposedly Mark Twain said "the coldest winter I ever spent was the summer in San Francisco!". Although I've also heard he did not actually say that. I global warming is making SF warmer. I love in Santa Rosa which gets hot which I love. But I also love the mournful dirge of the foghorns and night and the giant tsunami of fog rolling over the GG Bridge. The best weather in San Francisco is after summer which is often locked in a huge fogbank. Indian summer is the hottest.

[@jamessmeyer]

San Francisco is easily my favorite city in the US! Such a beautiful, unique, and charming city.

[@krash66]

I have been to San Francisco, and I loved it. I recommend going to the top of Twin Peaks at night. The views with all the lights around the bay are incredible

[@bobbistevens5648]

Hi Shaun, I really enjoyed your take on San Francisco. It is amazing to see this beautiful city that literally rose from the ashes after the earthquake of 1906 which sparked fires that burned for 3 days!

[@toemblem]

Another Scottish connection with San Francisco is the cable car system. A Scottish mining engineer named Andrew Hallidie came up with the San Francisco cable car system. I'm not sure why San Francisco is considered a controversial city. I know that certain "news" outlets like to focus on the city's negatives and those negatives certainly exist. But I would guess that most people that heap hate towards SF, have never actually been there. The truth is, it is a great American city that is suffering from growing pains and has some issues that need to be solved. Also, it is a beacon of capitalism. San Francisco proper has a GDP per capita of $228,118. That is second to no one, any where. I go to San Francisco at least once a year and I love it.

[@shaunvlog]

Agree - those who throw around the words ‘socialist’ and ‘capitalist’ have no idea what they’re talking about. It’s the most capitalist place I’ve been. It’s a great place and my hope is for more people to be open minded

[@kryptonson]

San Francisco is beautiful (at least in some parts, others not so much). I just can't stand it's politics, and it's crime rate is pretty high, which can be said for most major cities.

[@margarethinton3840]

Shawn: So happy that you are visiting the city where I was born 90 years ago - in a home at the foot of Twin Peaks. We went up theer to fly kites. Such wonderful memories. The city has gone through lots of changes over the years and my memories were of a city that II Loved to live in. Enjoy your visit! .

[@shaunvlog]

Thank you very much Margaret - appreciate the kind words and for sharing your story. It’s great to have you here 😊

[@morrisralph54]

Lived, worked and loved in San Francisco. Miss all the great ladies from the financial district and weekend runs near the Presidio. Beautiful, unique, colorful and world class city

[@ronluk76]

Bro, I used to live in Martinez, which is a small city in the San Francisco East Bay, across the Bay from San Francisco. John Muir's home is in Martinez. The house is still there and is designated as a California National Historical Landmark, which means it is protected forever snd can't be torn down.

[@shaunvlog]

Aahhhh man I’ll need to come back and see that! Such a cool history

[@ronluk76]

@@shaunvlog Yup. Such cool history and beauty here! I agree. You will have to let me know if you do come back to the Bay Area in the future for another visit. I'd love to meet you . I really like your videos and you attitude about the world and about life.

[@ImekaSF]

So glad you had a great visit here! I love my city, and love watching others enjoy it.

[@gl15col]

Dude, you're not just burned out. You're sunburned. Folks as pale as you and me need to be careful, too much sun makes me really sick...

[@doccross]

Exactly. as a pale skinned ginger guy with Scottish and Irish ancestry, I know just how bad a sunburn can kick your ass, even if you grew up in the Sacramento area, as I did. Take a couple of days to rest, Shaun, and use lots of sunscreen.

[@glendabarton45barton48]

Hi Shaun lived half my life in San Francisco. Although it's too expensive for me to live there,I LOVE the City. I lived everywhere there. 3 places in the Haight, North Beach, 3 places in the Mission (the Latino area), Visitation Valley, Bernal Heights, the Marina, the Tenderloin....you name it. SF is always so electric, the most unique City,a City of sparkling air and light, of romance and history, surrounded by water and inhabitated by artists and the creative, it's also a mysterious City, and it loves it's eccentrics. Real San Francisco natives are some of the nicest people and some have a weird accent that sounds New York. It's the City that's welcoming and tolerant of differences, that's why I love it in spite of it's problems. The natural beauty is unmatched. There are some great new parks there a rooftop park several blocks long floating above the City with exotic plants, a new park down at the Presidio with great landscapes.So much to do and discover in SF. The air is like sparkling wine. When I was a kid we drove across across the Bay Bridge at night and the City was like a sparkling castle reaching to the stars or a Christmas tree with lights. She's like an elegant woman sparkling with jewels. When I come from the Marin side of the GG Bridge, it appears to me like the island of Avalon, swathed in violet mist like a dream. Sometimes an enormous tsunami of fog rolls a great wave over the GG Bridge. Sorry I'm going on and in but I get tired of San Francisco hate, particularly prevalent on Fox News lol. Most people who live there for any length of time end up loving it. I live close now in Sonoma County another gorgeous place. Two books that have fascinating history and places you want to see are: "Cool Gray City of Love - 49 views of San Francisco" by Gary Kamiya. And "Spirits of San Francisco - Voyages Through the Unknown City" by Gary Kamiya. I lived right on Haight St. for the longest.

[@manxkin]

Hi Shaun, I’m from Illinois but have been to San Francisco many times. Was there this past February. First trip anywhere since Covid. You are right about the trees. The camera doesn’t do them justice. You have to see them to appreciate them.

[@korean_foot_traveler8655]

What a beautiful country. It's so great to have a chance to browse such a great place in the US.😀👍👍

[@graywing521]

Shaun - I so much appreciate that you came all the way down the US West Coast, and saw a sampling of the unique natural beauty and positive upbeat outlook of the people here. Up here in Seattle, SF isn't controversial at all, unless someone says it's the "most beautiful city on the West Coast' ;) We love it and share the optimistic perspective that with a little human decency, we may all someday be able to deal with some of those pressing social issues.

[@americathebeautifulforever9746]

Absolutely beautiful, you showed me areas of San Francisco I didn't know existed. Food looked wonderful.

[@lynnenewell2016]

At 12:44, what you call a cave-like area is called a Faery Ring and they are quite common to Redwood trees. When a stand alone redwood is in danger of burning, she starts a ring of shoots from her roots to make a ring around the main tree hoping they will grow after the fire is out. We used to have controlled fires to grow more trees, but because of the horrendous fires we've had over the last three years, the trees aren't able to grow. There is a fire right now in Yosemite Park that is threatening our giant redwood Sequoias, one in particular that's been growing since before Jesus (BC/CE)! California is in desperate need of three years of El Niño rain. We've had three years of El Niña droughts and it's disastrous for all. We do have a disproportionate amount of homeless people in California than other states. Many think it's because we don't care, but that's not true. We are a "Sanctuary State." We welcome all here and give them aide as much as is possible. That means we have a massive amount of people here from other countries who can't get jobs and yes, the cost of rent is ridiculous! No one, but the price gouging owner of the rental property knows why they can charge such enormous amounts for rent.

[@timglennon6814]

If you’re going to San Francisco remember to wear some flowers in your hair. Scott McKenzie, San Francisco. Year 1967.

[@emmef7970]

Love that song from my youth!

[@mender722]

Great views. Loved it. I understand the burnout feeling. I hope you got some good rest. That Ghirardelli Chocolate is my all-time favorite. I love it. Good choice!

[@wPatrickSF]

Shaun, I know you are back home by now. Stopping by a beach side town on your way to LA would have been a great "spa day" rejuvenation. Just sitting on the Pacific Coast and doing nothing does a body, mind, and soul a great deal of good.

[@sallyintucson]

San Fran has gotten a bad reputation due to the news. I’ve never lived there but friends have. I guess there’s good and bad things about any big city.

[@maxwonder5908]

Not the news. Fox News, and other ultra conservative news outlets.

[@sallyintucson]

@@maxwonder5908 I don’t watch that nonsense.

[@maxwonder5908]

@@sallyintucson - Good for you, but that’s the only place that the so called bad reputation is coming from. And of course the Mindless viewers of that garbage that repeat it without ever having been there to know the truth for themselves.

[@pyrovania]

Thank you for showing the city the way it is.

[@snowdog03]

Nice guided tour boyo. Visit Cleveland sometime if you're passing by.

[@rongenung]

The food at Creola looked fantastic and delicious. Yeah...John Muir. I graduated from John Muir College, University of California - San Diego! And the trees are even bigger at Sequoia National Park!

[@LindaC616]

Thanks, Teka, for helping put and doing some fabulous filming!

[@EastPeakSlim]

To get excellent background on John Muir, I recommend watching "Ken Burns: The National Parks: America's Best Idea."

[@SanJoseBob]

Golden Gate Park is the biggest city park in the U.S. even bigger than Central Park in NY. Muir Woods was used in the movie “Jurassic Park”. San Francisco has the most Restaurants of any City in the US. I live an hour away in San José (“Capitol of Silicon Valley”) and you’ve made me home sick for “The City”!….. SanJoséBob

[@svbarr]

Haters gotta hate. Pick any major city with over 250K population and you will probably find a skid row of some kind. Yeah, SF let the Tenderloin go too far but all things considered it's an amazing city. Lots of middle class and upper middle class folks survive in SF because they work Union jobs taking care of the city itself. (Fire, Water, Police, Parks, etc..). A husband and wife who both work and earn over say 120K combined can live very nice in SF and some of the suburbs.

[@zimnizzle]

The California coastline is unbelievably beautiful. You got lucky with the weather in S.F. It was so sunny and clear! Hope you continue down the coast, but also hope to see you get inland to Yosemite, Mammoth, Sequoia/Kings Canyon. Wonder how much you’ll be able to see once you get down south, and if you’ll even have time to get into San Diego. There’s too much too see, that’s for sure. You’ll have to come back!

[@mrs.g.9816]

Ever since I was little and saw a travelogue (circa 1950's) on TV about San Francisco, I wanted to visit that city. When I was a teenager and heard Scott McKenzie's song, San Francisco", I continued to dream. But I'm not sure now. There are an awful lot of those glass skyscrapers, which take away some of the charm. But I'm glad you had fun! BTW - I did NOT intend to repeat my reply to your pin! Something screwy is happening, and I apologize.

[@joshjones6072]

I'm glad you got to go see Golden Gate Park, to go to Marin Headlands to overlook the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods and see San Francisco's colorful rowhouses. I wonder if you could see Sutro Tower up on the hills? It's basically the same thing as the Eiffel Tower, it think built about the same time, and as big, a radio tower but not a tourist attraction in SF. Don't worry about the propaganda naysayers who hate on SF, there's lots to see there. But California itself is like a country with many sub-states in it. Bay area, Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, The Lost Coast, Far NorCal, the Western Sierras, the Eastern Sierras, Los Angeles area, San Diego, the Inland Empire of San Bernardino, The Mojave Desert, and Imperial Valley down far south. I've been to each of our 58 California Counties and still haven't seen everything here. Beach people, mountain people, cowboys, city people, small town people, desert people, farmers, orcharders, vineyard folks, ranchers. And all the other states in the U.S. are beautiful too and all different with different cultures. Enjoy and pace yourself! Exploring the whole U.S. is like exploring 3 Europes.

[@Luv2tickt]

See...you want to learn more about John Muir, you should have come to Wisconsin. When his family immigrated to the US, they settled in Portage, Wisconsin which is now a National Landmark. He also attended University in Madison! That said, I'd love to get to San Francisco someday. As evidenced by your experiences and video, it's such a beautiful city.

[@TheRealdal]

You look burnt and tired 🥱, the heat can really zap it out of you. Thanks for taking us along for the beautiful scenery. I’m about to go full time RVing and next summer you guys are welcome to travel with me in my Rig. Im from WA state, born in Arizona. I’m not a crazy weirdo I promise. I’m a medical professional who just quit my prison job and taking my work on the road. My ancestry is from Scotland, the Lindsay clan, and going to Scotland is going to be my dream trip in the future.

[@somasubstance]

Shaun, if you haven't been to Boston, you should go. It's very very similar to SanFran in that it feels like a cross between London and NYC. It also has TONS of early American history.

[@karlamackey4675]

My mom was raised in Merced ( in Central California) which is 90 miles south of Yosemite. In the 1940s she went to John Muir Elementary School.

[@glenng7085]

Glad you took some of my suggestions for SF , at least I didn't steer you wrong. Keep on Trucking!😎👍🤙

[@AudraT]

I'm surprised people tell you to not visit the place. Due to the high taxes, cost of living, crime, and politics I wouldn't want to live there myself, but I wouldn't mind visiting the place. There's a lot of history and national parks in CA.

[@Rick_Hoppe]

Shaun, I’m loving the laid-back tone to your travel videos! I love Sausalito! During the mid 1970s and 80s you could get an airline ticket from LA to San Francisco for just $30!... so I visited there a lot. I’d spend a few nights in the city, then a few nights in Sausalito. It’s like a mini version of San Francisco; very charming and with less expensive food and accommodations.

[@estern001]

I live in SF. I have a picture of my boys (now 28 and 30) in front of that tree with the opening.. Crazy!

[@December314]

In two days you can't see much. There are so many cultures and communities who built the city. Each living their distinct mark. You can eat so many different types of food there. And, I know it is a cliche, but you have to experience the people of the city. Huge Latino community, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Russian, Gay ... each has part of the city. Each has their own history. If you stay in the city for a month you will still not see all. If you have time you can drop the idiotic touristy thing and make a lot of new friends. Unlike many other famous cities, San Francisco has a mentality of a small city. People are friendly the way small town people are. But ... who has the time. I used to live there for 3 years in the early 90's. Had a great time. Then got married, kids, moved to Silicon Valley and became a boring working stiff.

[@Erin60147]

Careful shaman and teak the VID is everywhere. I lived in SF for three years in the 90’s. Your video did it justice..

[@marypasco2213]

So pleased you enjoyed San Francisco. There IS a lot to see there. If it is still there, a place to go, in Golden Gate Park, is a place called The Exploritorium. I haven't Googled it. If it is still there, and I have the opportunity, I think I could spend a day, or two, there. Continue exploring, and enjoying your time here in The States.

[@brendamccormick8800]

I'm an American and have never been to these places. Thank for the tour.

[@neutrino78x]

ah, you went to san francisco! nice, I live very close, I go there often. There's a train, well actually two trains now that we have BART down there, that go there from my area....I never learned to drive because there's plenty of transit here in the San Francisco Bay Area, if you're familiar with it you can get around. Not as fast as driving of course (assuming no traffic) but you can get around. 🙂

[@TheParrotEnthusiast]

Thank you for giving our city a try! There's so much glorious architecture, stunning vistas and diversity of culture and things to do that The City not just the "controversy" some make it out to be. It has the American city problem of poverty and transience, sure, but I live near Union Square and I never have felt completely unsafe. If anything, you're far more likely to get pick pocketed or a car break in then anything violent. That said, seeing you seemingly enjoy every little bit you took in (maybe...minus the cheesecake, hah) was so nice to see! We hear so much of the negative, it's nice to have some positive light on the place we live.

[@violettahaven3706]

I love San Francisco! I'd totally live there if it wasn't so expensive and it hadn't gotten so weird lately. It'll all work itself out and get back on track someday. The architecture is what draws me to that magical place.

[@babyfry4775]

Pretty video. Wish you could have seen the Sequoias. They’re enormous and make the redwoods look small. Well, the redwoods are taller but Sequoias are enormous around. It was so nice you had sun and no fog…amazing.

[@codenameu.arctos3747]

Ghirardelli chocolate is some of the best in the states. Ghirardelli Square used to have a chocolate factory with a tasting room. That moved to Lathrop, CA.

[@annfrost3323]

Happy you visited Muir Woods. I recommended it. People have a hard time believing when you tell them you can walk and even drive through the trunk of a tree.

[@SWR112]

Did you have to book Alcatraz way in advance? Got told you have to book six months or something in advance. Great clip would love to go. Every place looks so litter free maybe something we could learn in Scotland where all you see is plastic bottles and wrappings all over the place

[@sooner_born2256]

One of the top US cities to visit! Washington DC, LA, Chicago, NYC among others in that class.