![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Cool fog envelops San Francisco year-round, hiding a city packed with wonders, perfect for a day of exploration. California’s densest city, and county, holds a certain duality: balanced between the bustling streets of a major city and the calmer environment of many of its natural wonders, which makes it the ideal place for an immersive yet peaceful trip.
Starting at the north end of the city, the Legion of Honor’s timeless beauty whisks art enthusiasts through a variety of mediums and eras in an evocative, classical setting. Founded in 1802, the museum contains one of the world’s finest collections of works from the revolutionary sculptor Auguste Rodin. Including pieces made from bronze, plaster and marble, the Rodin exhibit engages viewers from the moment they walk into the marble-laden courtyard of the museum and see a copy of Rodin’s famous “The Thinker” front and center.
The Legion’s catalog spans beyond just Rodin, though; paintings from Van Gogh to Peter Paul Rubens line the upper galleries, while the lower floor features a theater showing arthouse cinema and a robust exhibition of artifacts, including Ancient Egyptian works and late 19th century Japanese kimono designs. Outside, haunting memorials to Holocaust victims and a tribute to the city’s first Japanese settlers line the Legion’s grounds.
The monuments lead down the opening portion of the path out of the museum grounds to Land’s End, one of the city’s most mesmerizing viewpoints. The windy shoreline features a memorial of the USS San Francisco’s crew, a crucial ship in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II. Along the trail, China Beach awaits visitors, sporting its own monument to Japanese residents of the city along with views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the shore.
A quick jaunt south leads visitors to Golden Gate Park, the sprawling natural landscape that spans almost half the city’s diameter. Beyond being a place for serene walks or peaceful picnics, the land serves residents and tourists alike with its major public attractions, like the de Young Museum, Japanese Tea Garden and California Academy of Sciences. Patrons can take a moment to rest from the busy, narrow roads of the cityscape, or experience the wonder of the city’s vibrant artistic and scientific culture.
On the other side of the park, two massive windmills greet visitors as they enter a mini-hike along the shore of San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. Located right on the Pacific, Ocean Beach makes for a great sunset view. Past dark, it often features bonfires and fireworks, creating a mini-community of late night waterfront enthusiasts. Grab a bite from a local vendor as you watch the festivities unfold and soak in the last few moments of your day in the city.
Whether alone or with a group, seeking quiet time or the hustle of a major city, San Francisco presents a multitude of options. In a single day, the roughly 46 square miles of landscape enthrall visitors of all kinds, with plenty of extra attractions to boot. So start making a day plan now, and go get lost in the fog.
