Back on the road and back in my email box, I find a message from my editor that I must do one of these travel pieces for fans going to the Texans' destination.
This week it's San Francisco. Actually, the 49ers play in Santa Clara, which is far enough from San Francisco to have its own international airport. It's an hour drive from downtown without traffic. And the San Francisco area without traffic would be like Texas without humidity – it doesn't happen.
It's a great facility and has a 49er Hall of Fame which is impressive. It's not quite at the level of the Packer Hall of Fame but there's not as much history here, so it fits. All the really relevant history is from the last 40 years. Of course, most of that was made at now-destroyed Candlestick Park.
The Texans played at the old haunt twice. The first time was the 'Reggie Bush' bowl in 2005. Before the game, I did what everyone who has the chance does – I walked over to the end zone where 'The Catch' was made in the 1981 season NFC Championship game.
My shoes sank into the wet grass. They told me it doesn't drain so well. It was easy to see that they needed a new stadium.
You don't need me to tell you about all the great things there are to do in what I consider to be America's most beautiful city. There are plenty of sources for that.
I will say that my brother used to live in the Marina District. I highly recommend checking this out. We played a Thanksgiving morning football game on the Marina Green as a rainbow emerged over the bay. It was so pretty it didn't seem real.
The Giants ballpark is ridiculously nice, sitting right on the harbor. A walk through the streets, up and down the hills (pre-pandemic anyway, I haven't been there since) is breathtaking and free, in a place that's a tad pricey.
Whether it's biking through the Presidio, going to Alcatraz or having dinner by Fisherman's Wharf, this city is a total gem. So many great sites to see.
And then you can drive the hour-plus ride to get to the stadium. Go Texans!
Watch the Houston Texans take on the Tennessee Titans in the season finale at NRG Stadium on January 9. Kickoff is at noon. Click here for tickets.
Check out the best photos from the Houston Texans practice on Thursday.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
An image from the Dec. 16, 2021 Houston Texans Regular Season Practice.
