San Francisco: Exploring San Francisco
"Fellow Ramblers and I hiked the trail in the woods, and it brought us closer together. We kept an eye on each other and communicated with one another to ensure our safety. The exit of the trail was filled with laughter and a round of high-fives," wrote Taylor Nguyen (BBA ’23).
Taylor Nguyen '23
Major: Marketing
The Quinlan Ramblers have officially landed in San Francisco, California! Waking up to the welcoming sound of the trolley bell was a change from the usual hustling and bustling CTA train. Today we had the opportunity to explore an array of sites. When we set foot in Chinatown in the afternoon, we were greeted by a group of children performing a traditional Chinese dragon dance. The performers were dressed up in flashy gold and red patterned uniforms and danced with a large dragon head prop. As a Vietnamese-American in the audience, the performance provided comfort and appreciation for Asian culture. Then, we met up with Sully, our tour guide for the day. Sully was a living encyclopedia and provided a vast amount of information about every site. Sully took us to our next stop, the Golden Gate Bridge. I was blown away by the architectural structure of the red bridge and the environment. The bridge looms over the strait connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. I felt at peace as I watched surfers ride the waves in front of the bridge, with the still green hills in the background.
Our next site was Muir Woods National Park. It was nice to take a small break from downtown SF and be surrounded by greenery and creaking water. The National Park was initially owned and persevered by William Kent, an American politician, and his wife, Elizabeth Thacher Kent. Eventually, the Kent family donated the land to the U.S., and the land became a monument in 1908. Fellow Ramblers and I hiked the trail in the woods, and it brought us closer together. We kept an eye on each other and communicated with one another to ensure our safety. The exit of the trail was filled with laughter and a round of high-fives.
Our second to last stop was in Downtown Sausalito, northern San Francisco. The quaint town has a delightful waterfront main street with shops, restaurants, and breathtaking views. Amidst the shops were the descending hills housing several colorful homes. As a Chicago native, I could not believe my eyes! Our last official trip ended at the Palace of Fine Arts, one of the last standing remnants of the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exhibition. The pavilion was lit up at night, creating a magical atmosphere. I admired the site because it reminded me of my mother, who visited it several times in her youth to reflect. The tour ended, but that didn't stop us from visiting In-N-Out Burger, a classic California fast-food joint. It was thrilling to witness several friends' first bite into the food chain. We finished the night by walking back to the hotel and sharing stories about our journey to Quinlan as well as our future goals and aspirations.