My First Blue Angels in San Francisco (2022)

Most of you have heard or seen the Blue Angels in action. I haven't until last year. So for those who don't know, the Blue Angels are a flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy. Formed in 1946, they perform aerobatic flights at about 30 locations throughtout the US annually.

Truth be told, I wasn't very keen on seeing them in person. The local news always has great coverage yearly and I rely on them for my Blue Angels ration for the year. Still, there was a little part of us (hubs & I) that want to see them fly in person. However, scheduling conflict always hinder our attendance to the demonstration. Until last year, when my husband penciled in the weekend they were to fly way ahead of time so we can go.

The fun day began with a ferry ride to the city from Richmond. We have taken the ferry previously to the city from Alameda, the other side of the bay. So this would be the first time we would be coming from this part of the bay.

The ferry was a great way to reach the city. I don't know why many people still keep on driving despite the traffic, but that's for another post (smile!). This was on October 8, 2022. It started as a very gray and gloomy day in Richmond, very windy and cold too. But despite the inhospitable weather while sailing, we bravely went to take some photos.

As you can see, it was all blue skies in the city. The day was awash in sunshine too. We disembarked in the Ferry Terminal by the Ferry Building where we stepped into the Saturday Farmers Market activity.

It was still early so we thought we'd peek into the Ferry Building and see if we can get some coffee and pastry, but the lines were so long. People and tourism looked to be back in the city on that day, so we just abandoned our desire for coffee temporarily and just walked around in the hopes of finding food or coffee where no lines exist.

This image is not a very good representation of what I was talking about long lines.

Some lucky human calls this handsome a bestie.

We eventually went back to one of the coffee places to line up for coffee and then walked to Pier 39 to stake our claim for a piece of real estate to watch the flight demo. However, the place was packed, and it seemed like every inch was already taken. Then we saw a makeshift table manned by people from the Aquarium of the Bay selling tickets for a fundraiser. We inquired further and the ticket included a buffet meal and a viewing spot on the rooftop area. Since it was a fundraiser and this being our first time here, we thought it's a great way to help the aquarium. In addition to the meal and the rooftop viewing spot, the ticket also included an entry to the aquarium. We spoke with ticket sellers that we did not have enough time to see the aquarium at this time, if the free entry will be honored at a later time. They had to call the one in charge and she gave us her card and wrote something on it and told us that Yes they will honor the free entry, and should we deny entry, call her on the number in the card and she'll take care of it. We have not gone to see the aquarium yet, unfortunately due to lack of time.

The food is wonderful, catered by a local Mediterranean restaurant. I think they didn't sell enough tickets, either that or they simply ordered way more food than necessary. Whatever it is, there was so much food that everyone in attendance had to bring a to-go box home. Good deal eh?

Anyhow, we were only carrying our phones and were just watching the show and not taking photos. What kind of documentation is this, you ask. Good question. Perhaps I swung and missed big time on this post about the Blue Angels. We'll try next time to take more photos. In the meantime, here are what we photographed during the whole time in the city.

On the walk back to Ferry Terminal to catch the next ferry back to Richmond, we passed by this statue of Gandhi. My husband and I were both pleasantly surprised of its presence here. We had no idea that this was here and we had walked up and down this area in the past and must have missed it all the time. Wow.