Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, The Mission, Chinatown, Union Square, Golden Gate Bridge, Fog, Lombard Street, Haight/Ashbury, The Presidio, Cable Cars, and AT & T Park.

San Francisco! There are many amazing things to do. It is a beautiful city, located in the beautiful Bay Area of California. It is the city where Tony Bennett “left his heart,” where the Birdman of Alcatraz spent many of his final years, where Scott McKenzie sings a song to Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair, and where Rice-a-Roni was said to be the favorite treat.

Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants left New York for California prior to the 1958 season. Though boasting such stars as Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and Barry Bonds, the club went 52 years until its first World Series title in 2010.The Giants play at AT&T Park, which opened in 2000. Overlooking San Francisco Bay, the right field wall is called McCovey Cove, where boaters wait for the balls to land, 55 splash hits so far. I mention this because AT&T Park was our destination as part of the Gratitude Tour. Being an avid sports fan, one of my powerful intentions is to visit every professional NFL stadium, NBA arena, and MLB ballpark in North America while spreading the message about the importance of having daily gratitude in your life.

This is what brought my son Chris and I to this fabulous city. Arriving at SFO, we boarded the Bart transportation system to downtown San Francisco. Getting off at Montgomery, we walked about a mile of blocks to AT&T park.

We were there to see the San Francisco Giants play the Washington Nationals. Entering the ballpark for the firstime, it was very exciting as Chris and I explored this great place. Giants or Gigantes! Gear was everywhere!As part of my gratitude journey, I brought a banner that read “Grateful for Giants Baseball”. As I paraded around the ballpark, I asked fans if they would be so kind to help hold up the banner for a photo. All the people I approached were more than willing to assist. But the best part was being able to spend some quality time with Chris. Being at the game provided a great opportunity to really bond with Chris and have deep conversations about life. I really believe the relationship a boy has with his father greatly shapes the man he will become in the future. And to also share the power of living with gratitude, with my son was utterly amazing!  As for the game, Matt Cain pitched a sensational complete game while holding the Washington Nationals to only one run as the Giants went on to win by a score of 3-1.

Next stop: Yankee Stadium

Stay tuned!