SANFRANCISCO! It was our very First extended getaway away from the kids....like.ever. Mom was so generous to come and stay for the week! the photos are iphone only as I took a break from carrying my SLR around this time.
We started our tour after the LONG flight at pier 39. It was cold and VERY blustery, but, after buying some fleeces, we took in the sights of the harbor seals, the bay, and Lombard street.
The crookedest street in the world.
Oh, the view walking amongst million dollar homes....so, so hilly, sneakers are a must.
Tuesday and Wednesday, J attended the conference so I took a city tour a-top a open air double decker bus. I rode around two full loops, crossed the Golden Gate bridge and back twice and learned everything I needed to know about this sweet city (and became quite inept at taking the UBERs)
Ghardelli square where the famous chocolate factory once was.
There is a HUGE china town, and the food was amazing!
The bridge was of course just spectatcular and the photos don't really do it justice.
For a person who loves everything old and vintage and retro, the buildings were just awesome.
the town Hall.
Wednesday, EARLY am we took a run over the bridge. It was still dark when we started. I believe it is the only bridge like it that allows pedestrians.
The view was cloudy and foggy (the usual weather for this time of year).
We easily made it the 3.4 miles. Cross that one off the bucket list.
The view of Saulsalito, just a short drive over the bridge.
Our downtown hotel was really quite luxurious, a corner room with a city view from both sides. On Wednesday, I spent most of the afternoon wondow shoppinf in the downtown area and at the local Spa. What a way to relax.
All the dinners out were just fabulous.
Firday, we had an all day tour of Muir woods, a closeby national monument with giant redwood trees. Getting There, I have never seen such WINDY roads in all my life. Riding in a bus over those was a little scary! Walking through the woods was so awesomely refreshing after being in the city for 3 days for this country girl. You can't really appreciate the enormity of the trees from these photos. Another check off the bucket list.
upon our return, we spent a GEORGEOUS afternoon down by the water taking a cruise of the bay and out to Alcatraz Island. The view and the audio tour were amazing.
the menu from the last day it was open. They even had an acual prisioner signing books in the gift shop.
The view on the bay was the best we had seen on this Gorgeous September day. The saiboats were in a race.
The view from the cell corridor.
Saturday, it was time for the trip home. The skies were clear and the views were spectuacular. I am a weary traveler, so it took me a few days to recover once I got back and got caught up on sleep!
Yes, California. You were awesome.
My favorites:
Coming home to this. Hugs and kisses and love from the kids (we missed them!)
The woods, the Alcrataz Tour and the view on the bay second, and third our Dinner at Haikkkasan resturant, hanging in the hotel lounge listening to live music, and the SPA.
My not so favorites:
The Phili Airport, the plane ride and jet lag (I'm a terrible traveler)
