My folks and I sailed into Oakland back in 1961 after a decade stationed in Japan with the Army. California looked damned good to me at the time.
I made six crossings 1951-1961 on MSTS (the Army’s Navy.)
The final trip was on the General W. A. Mann.
I was a member of the crew on the USNS Gen Morton in 1948.
Loved the City. One of my favorite nite-life spots was Bimbo’s 365 Club with the “girl in the fishbowl” they had a great dance floor for the jitter-bug crowd. For all the Jazz fans the “Blackhawk” the best Jazz Bands in the country played there.