DAY 4 – May 18: Onto San Francisco

Today was mostly a travel day, our itinerary had just one job: get from Temecula to San Francisco, settle in, and rest up for the next day’s big Golden Gate adventure. Simple plan. Long drive. Worth it.

Breakfast at McDonald’s

First stop of the day was breakfast at McDonald’s, and I have to say — American McDonald’s and Philippine McDonald’s are two very different creatures. There is a huge variety of coffee drinks and food to choose from. You order through online kiosks (zero awkward cashier interactions, I love it). The burger patty was actually juicy. And the best part? The soda machine is self-serve — as long as it’s placed outside the counter, you can get unlimited refills, with the most enormous ice cubes I have ever seen in my life.

Shell Gas Station, Los Banos, California

Next stop was a Shell gas station in Los Banos. American gas stations are massive — they come with a full convenience store where the comfort rooms are usually located. My mom and Auntie Baby spotted a fruit stand nearby and grabbed some fruits (grapes, if I’m remembering correctly). Road trip snacks, sorted.

Motel 6 San Francisco

USD 85 / 2 pax ≈ ₱6,000 | Check-in 3PM · Check-out 11AM

The rooms were basic — no elevator, no aircon (though honestly it wasn’t hot enough to need one), and the receptionist was not exactly winning any friendliness awards. Very different vibe from the Motel 6 branch we stayed at in Anaheim.

Originally, my mom, Auntie Baby, and I were supposed to take a 2-double-bed room on the 3rd floor — but we had way too much luggage to haul up, so we swapped with Lewds and Malen and took a queen bed room on the 1st floor instead. Three adults in one queen bed. Not ideal, shall we say. But we were only staying one night, so we made our peace with it.

Ocean Beach at Sunset

Here’s where the day redeemed itself completely. The motel is just a 5-minute walk from Ocean Beach, and we went out during golden hour. The weather was around 18°C — cool and breezy — and the whole scene was absolutely lovely. Like walking into a postcard.

I love beaches in the Philippines and honestly thought I wouldn’t like California beaches — but this proved me wrong. It was clean, peaceful, and so relaxing. That moody, misty Pacific coast energy is something else. Of course, Philippine beaches still hold the crown in my heart, but Ocean Beach at sunset was genuinely beautiful in its own way. We soaked it in, then headed back to rest up for the next day.

DAY 5 – May 19: San Francisco

We checked out of the motel and hit the road early — Day 5 was packed with everything San Francisco is famous for, plus a little detour into Napa Valley wine country. One of the best days of the whole trip.

Golden Gate Bridge

We arrived at the Welcome Center, parked the car, and got our first real glimpse of the bridge. I was so excited — this is an engineering marvel I had only ever seen in postcards, in books, in movies. And now here I was, actually standing in front of it.

The Golden Gate Bridge opened on May 27, 1937, after just over four years of construction that began during the Great Depression — and it came in under budget and ahead of schedule. At the time of its opening, its 4,200-foot main span made it the longest suspension bridge in the world, a record it held until 1964. Its now-iconic “International Orange” color was deliberately chosen because it stands out beautifully against the surrounding sea, land, and San Francisco’s famous fog. Today it is recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of Civil Engineering and is considered the most photographed bridge in the world. Seeing it in person after a lifetime of postcards and movies? Absolutely surreal.

I could also see people jogging and cycling toward the bridge — that San Francisco outdoor lifestyle just radiates good energy. The whole vibe of the city, the people, the way they move through their day — it’s something to admire.

Round House Café by Equator Coffee

Opens 9AM | Just within the Golden Gate Bridge grounds

Just within the Golden Gate Bridge grounds sits this relaxing café with a direct view of the bridge. It opens at 9 AM and we waited for it to open — there was no way we were passing this up.

Coffee range: USD 6–10 / ₱367–₱620
I had: Ube Snickerdoodle Cookie — USD 4.50 / ₱275 and Iced Vanilla Latte — USD 7.00 / ₱428
The ube snickerdoodle was fine — not the best, not too sweet. Honestly, ube is better in the Philippines where it came from, so the bar is unfairly high. The iced vanilla latte though? Really good. And sitting there with a coffee while the Golden Gate Bridge looms in the background is an experience in itself. Thanks, Auntie Baby, for the treat!

Palace of Fine Arts

Free to visit!

Just a quick drive from the Golden Gate Bridge, the Palace of Fine Arts is a stunning Neoclassical structure that feels like it was transported straight from ancient Rome.
We spent a lovely little while there: walked around, took photos, enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and moved on. The kind of place that’s perfect for exactly as long as you spend there.

V. Sattui Winery, Napa Valley

We made a detour into Napa Valley and stopped at V. Sattui Winery — and I genuinely loved this place. There were fountains, lush surroundings, and a wonderful store where you can pick up cheeses, condiments, and bread to go with the wines. They offer free tastings for up to four people, so we jumped at it.

Fair warning: I am a total lightweight. One glass of wine and I was bright red. Completely worth it though — the whole experience was so relaxing and satisfying. Highly recommend carving out time for Napa if you’re ever in the area.

Squeeze Inn Hamburgers, Napa
Burger: USD 9–10 / ₱551–₱612 | Soda (refillable): USD 2.15 / ₱132

We got hungry around 2 PM and stopped at Squeeze Inn Hamburgers, still in Napa. The burgers were great and the pricing was reasonable. They accept both cash and cashless payment and provide take-out bags too. Oh — and my mom accidentally left her bag there. Good thing she went back and it was still sitting safely where she’d left it. Classic mom moment. Thanks for the treat, Mitch!

After lunch we did a quick grocery run at Grocery Outlet nearby to stock up on essentials for the rest of the trip.

Motel 6 Oakdale
USD 79 / 2 pax ≈ ₱4,872 | Check-in 4PM · Check-out 11AM
Tonight’s stay was a completely different experience from the night before. The receptionist was Filipino: instant good vibes and the motel had free coffee, an ice maker, a mini-fridge, and two proper double beds. Spacious, clean, and comfortable.

The blanket, pillows, and bed were incredibly comfortable — the kind of quality I’d only expect in a 3- to 5-star hotel back in the Philippines. And we’re in a budget motel! I love that for us.

Taco Bell (Dinner)
Soft Taco: USD 3 / ₱184 | Just 5 minutes walk from the motel. Thanks, Auntie Baby!
Dinner was quick, easy, and satisfying. We went to sleep early because tomorrow — it’s Yosemite time!

Love,

Maria