26. San Francisco

After departing, we land in San Francisco at 6:30 AM. With our booking, we have two options: either a quick 1.5-hour layover at another airport or the longer option with a substantial 7-hour layover in San Francisco. We deliberately choose the longer option. The memory of how we once ran across an airport in just one hour to barely catch a connecting flight is still fresh – we don't need that kind of stress a second time. Since our luggage is conveniently routed directly to Frankfurt, we have our minds and hands free for a mini-adventure. We take the metro directly from the airport to the city center and switch to the famous Cable Car from there. This world-renowned cable car is the historic landmark of San Francisco and a true rolling open-air museum. What makes the Cable Car special is that the cars themselves don't have their own motor. Instead, they mechanically cling to an underground steel cable that runs continuously at a constant speed through a deep gap in the ground. When the car is to start moving, the driver – known as the Gripman – pulls a giant lever and clamps the gripping jaw around the cable, allowing the car to be pulled up the city's steep streets. To brake, he simply releases the cable. For us, the ride is an absolute highlight: we cling to the sideboards, let the cool breeze blow around our noses, and enjoy the legendary jolting and loud ringing of the bell as the car conquers the world-famous steep hills.



At the final stop, we get off and see the majestic Golden Gate Bridge stretching over the bay in the distance. From there, we continue walking toward Fisherman’s Wharf. Our stomachs growl after the long flight, so we first treat ourselves to a hearty American breakfast. Feeling refreshed, we finally enter the famous PIER 39 and marvel at the countless sea lions lounging on the wooden platforms in the sun. The sea lions primarily use the protected bay for