From Harbour Bridge to Golden Gate Bridge: 2–3 Years Living in the US

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From there, I headed west to Ocean Beach, another San Francisco first for me. It’s a very different side of the city - wide, windswept, and raw - with strong surf and a moody Pacific backdrop.

 

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From Ocean Beach, I picked up the Lands End Trail and walked north along the cliffs, taking in sweeping views toward the Golden Gate Bridge, the Marin Headlands, and the rugged coastline below. The trail is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and follows a series of coastal paths and historic military remnants, including old bunkers and viewpoints. It’s an easy walk but incredibly scenic, and over the course of about 8.5 km, it felt like I’d completely left the city behind, despite still being very much in it.

 

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A few walks and runs closer to home over the past couple of weeks. The first was the Lafayette Reservoir, an easy loop and popular local spot, great for a steady run or relaxed walk with views over the water and the surrounding hills.







The second was a much tougher outing in Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park - a solid hike with a fair bit of climbing, weaving through dense redwood forest and up onto the ridgelines. A good reminder that even close to home, the East Bay can deliver some surprisingly challenging terrain.

 

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With the Thanksgiving public holiday, it was back up to Napa Valley for a couple of nights over the long weekend. I stayed at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa, and as a Titanium Elite member received an upgrade from a standard guest room to a top-floor garden-view room with a small balcony.

The hotel charges a $30 nightly destination fee, which offers decent enough value. It includes daily wine tastings, an F&B credit, bike rentals, fitness classes, and a few other inclusions. The property itself is large and resort-like, with an outdoor pool, hot tub, fire pits, a full-service spa, gym, and plenty of open space to wander around. The room was spacious and comfortable, though noticeably on the darker side.






As a Titanium member, I also had access to the M Club lounge, which really came into its own over Thanksgiving - complete with a proper turkey dinner, sides and all. A nice touch, and far better than the usual lounge fare.



The next morning, I kicked things off with a 6km run north along the Napa Valley Vine Trail, a flat, scenic path that runs through vineyards and small towns.




Lunch was a return visit to my new favourite spot, Brasswood Bar + Kitchen. I went all-in: butternut squash soup, the now-famous short rib sugo, tiramisu, a glass of Brasswood Syrah, and a beautifully aged 2015 Brasswood Cabernet. Just as good as the first visit - possibly better.

 

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On the way back to the hotel, I wandered through St. Helena, one of Napa Valley’s more refined towns. It has a polished, upscale feel, with boutique shops, art galleries, and tasting rooms lining the main street.









Dinner that evening was at Little Summer, the hotel’s restaurant. Nothing spectacular, but perfectly reasonable during happy hour, and an easy option after a full day out.

 

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The next morning started much the same way, this time with a longer 10km run all the way up to Yountville, following the Napa Valley Vine Trail once again.





Breakfast and coffee were at The Coop by Hoopes, a casual spot with a laid-back vibe, before another wander through Yountville. Even on a second visit, it’s the kind of town that’s easy to enjoy slowly — manicured streets, art dotted along the sidewalks, and no real need for an agenda.








I caught an Uber back to the hotel, spent some time relaxing, and then checked out. Before heading home, I made one final stop at Oxbow Public Market, wandering through the stalls and then spending a bit of time exploring Downtown Napa properly this time around.