On a recent trip to San Francisco, my wife, our son Nathan, and I spent a beautiful Saturday exploring downtown and visiting Lands End—the western edge of the city where it meets the Pacific Ocean.

As we walked through the city, I was struck by how many Waymo self-driving cars we saw—more than a dozen. Some were dropping off passengers, others picking them up. Nathan and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to try one ourselves.

He downloaded the Waymo app, and within a couple of minutes, a sleek white Jaguar equipped with spinning sensors and cameras arrived to pick us up from a crowded beach overlook. The parking lot was full, with cars maneuvering for spots. The Waymo waited its turn and handled it all with calm precision.

When we stepped inside, we were greeted by a soothing voice. The short ride to a nearby grocery store was smooth and uneventful—except for the fact that no one was driving. The car paused for passing bikers, waited for a train, and navigated the streets exactly as you’d hope.

I took a short video during the ride.

It was a remarkable experience and gave me a renewed sense of optimism about how technology can improve our everyday lives.

If you ever find yourself in San Francisco, I’d encourage you to take a ride in a Waymo car. It’s a small, fascinating glimpse into the future—and from what I saw, the future looks promising.