San Francisco

So a couple of days after Halloween we were able to take another trip, this time just the two of us.  I was actually just tagging along, Pat spent the day in a continuing education class.  So that left me exploring by myself from 8-5 every day.  Who knew that San Francisco was so easy to get around.  We rented a car, but next time won't.  Not only is there hardly any parking the only parking in most places was Valet and it cost a lot.  Even our hotel only offered it.  On the first day there we had great weather, I spent the morning at Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39.  Saw the famous Sea Lions, had a good view of Alcatraz, browsed the shops and got familiar with the area.  Then grabbed some take out and went back to the hotel to eat and rest my feet.  After that was all said and done I walked down to the Hyde Street Pier.  Got an even better look at Alcatraz, Coit Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge, and walked down the pier and looked at the restored ships they had docked there.  Hyde Street is a crazy street.  I think it is one of the steepest streets in all of San Francisco, but you can't really tell from the picture I took of it.  I met Pat back at the hotel after his course was finished and we went back so that he could see everything that I did that day, and so we could get some dinner. 

The Sea Lions

Golden Gate Bridge

Coit Tower

Alcatraz

Hyde Street

While we were there we wanted to see a Broadway show. I was very sad that Wicked decided to go on tour during the time of our trip but I wasn't disappointed in West Side Story. Even better I actually recognized one of the cast from the show. Well actually Pat did, and pointed it out to me. Neil from So You Think You Can Dance Season 3. He was my favorite on that season so to see him in person was pretty great! Might have even got his picture if we stayed after for the cast Q&A, but we didn't want to miss our bus back to the hotel. This was the theater where it was showing at.

I also spent the day at Union Square doing some shopping.  It was super easy getting there thanks to the front desk attendant at our hotel.  They actually recommended using the bus instead of driving everywhere.  It took only 15 minutes to get there and every store you could imagine was within a 4 block radius.  This was from the patio at The Cheesecake Factory in Macy's.  It was a great view and good food of course!

Our last day there I decided to find Lombard Street. You can't visit San Francisco and not see it in my opinion, but for some reason Pat was not that interested. After a quick stop at the front desk for directions, I was on my way. It wasn't too far, but what they forgot to mention was that walking up Hyde Street is like walking up the side of a mountain. But hey now I can say I did that too! I couldn't imagine living on this street and having a million strangers walking up and down it every day.  Still it was very cool to see.

After dinner and a movie (our plans to go on a sunset cruise didn't work out)on our last night we stopped at Union Square one last time. They had been working on it the entire time we were there so we decided to see what was going on. They had put in an outdoor ice rink and we missed it by 3 days. It would have been so fun to be able to go skating!

I have a list of things to do the next time that we visit, and hopefully it will be soon. It was such a fun city to visit, and surprisingly very family friendly. We might have to make it a family affair next time!