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A day in San Francisco — Memorial Day

san-francisco-day-trip

If you have followed my blog for sometime, you probably know about my big move across coast. It's been a few months being a Cali resident, but I haven't gotten out as much as I would have liked. Maybe once we move to a place, it kinda loses the tourist charm that it has when we visit for a weekend. Don't you think?

I decided to make this right and this Memorial Day weekend, I spent my first Touristy day in San Francisco. Like anything else, I made a long list of places to see, and spread it across three days based on distance proximity. Yes, it was a whole weekend plan but life get in way and hence it ended up being just a day trip.

San-Francisco-Day-Trip-Shoreline-Park

The day started with a little detour at Bay Trail, near Shoreline Park, followed by a quick brunch at Crepe Vine and a beautiful long drive to the city.

The Painting Ladies at Alamo Square was our first stop. These are basically just houses with a Victorian architecture and painted with three or more colors. The whole area looks very different and antique because of it. There's a small park opposite to the houses. There were many families and kids too- playing, and skating. The park is dog friendly too. I feel it was a nice start to our day.

San-Francisco-Day-Trip-Painted-Ladies

Union Square is a lively area full of places to eat, drink, or shop. And even if you don't do any of it, it still is pretty enjoyable walking down those streets with big brands all around, and happy excited people on the streets. I did a little bit of shopping, and a lot of window shopping. The park in the middle was displaying some cool artwork and sculptures that day. And of course, who doesn't love big hearts!

San-Francisco-Day-Trip-Union-Square

Next stop was the famous Lombard Street aka World's most crooked street. I have visited this one before during a short stop in San Francisco last summer. But, this never gets old. If it's your first time, be prepared to get in a long line of cars waiting for a drive down this street. The view from the top is amazing too.

San-Francisco-Day-Trip-Lombard-Street

As usual, the parking spot we got was way to far, and we the had to walk up the hill to top of the Lombard street and walked down the stairs along to capture the view from bottom. Photos don't do justice to how amazing it is. Maybe this timelapse would do:


After the short but hard hill-walking, we decided we deserved something to eat and we headed to The Buena Vista- It was my first time trying the Irish coffee and I am glad I saved it for this place. It was the right amount of everything- I loved the taste and would gladly go back there the next time I am there.
The seating at this place is a bit different; the whole area is open and no one comes to seat you unlike most places. There are tables of six and you are expected to sit wherever you find a place. We shared a table with two other people, who came separately. I can see how this kind of forces you to interact with others at first, and it is a cool experience. You can choose to sit at the bar too, but they won't serve food there.

San-Francisco-Day-Trip-Buena-Vista-Cafe

Fisherman's Wharf: Buena Vista is at the Fisherman's Wharf, and so are several other restaurants. Obviously, most of them serve seafood. There is also Madam Tussauds and Ripley's museum on the wharf. I had seen both these places earlier so I skipped that, but if you haven't seen them before you should definitely go for it.

San-Francisco-Day-Trip-Fishermans-Wharf

The Starlight Room: This is a rooftop bar on the 21st floor of Sir Francis Drake Hotel. The view is amazing at night, and I liked the whole lounge/club vibe they have. I ordered their famous Four-Three-Five Manhattan and my personal favorite- Long Island Iced Tea. A warning: they make the drinks a little stronger than other bars. Also, a FYI- there is a cover charge to get there. But the view, the vibe, and the music was great. I'd definitely go back. I forgot to take a picture- that might tell I actually enjoyed being there.


Mistake of the day: No jacket. As usual, it was windy and cold. It got so hard walking about that I almost bought a new one in desperation. And, we had to get out of most places because of this. Having a jacket would have allowed me to stay at some of the places to my satisfaction. Lesson learned!



OTHER TRAVELS:


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Comments

  1. Very lovely photos. Glad you had the chance to get out and play tourist for a little while.

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  2. Yeah, it's definitely fun! There's still so much to explore though..

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  3. One thing I did not get to do on my San Fran trip was to see the Painting Ladies! It sounds (and looks) like a beautiful spot!

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  4. I love visiting San Francisco, what a great city. That said, living somewhere is totally different as you get to see another side so Im sure you will learn so much more in the coming months. Fun place to be based though, hope you enjoy

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  5. I'm glad that you're getting well adjusted! Everyone's gotta do the tourist thing when they are new to the city. Have you done Alcatraz or Angel Island yet? Those are both pretty touristy but fun things to do! I'm sad I'll be leaving SF in a couple of months :(

    ♥ Lisa
    Strum Simmer Sip

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  6. I've been to San Fran several times and always LOVE it!! it's such a beautiful city. I definitely want to get back out there again and will check out a few of these that I've missed on my past trips. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Okay, it's official. I must move to San Francisco! I don't even know where to began! First off, you went and saw the "Full House" House!! So Jelly! I've always wanted to go there and take a pic in front of it! Next, when you said that Lombard St. was the world's most crooked street, I was thinking crooked like black market hahaha! Then I saw that video...how in the world do people even drive on there?! And it was cold in June?? I must visit this magic place! It's like 100 degrees here, good grief! I've officially decided to live vicariously through you lol so one day, you must find and take a pic of the "Charmed" House...I watch way too much tv... lol. Looks like you had an amazing day, thanks for taking us along :D

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  8. You must visit for yourself soon :)

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  9. Plan a trip soon :) And if you have any suggestions for me, please share!

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  10. I haven't done that yet, but thanks for suggestions.. *adds to the list*
    and... Where are you going?? :/

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  11. I look forward to it :) thanks!

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  12. Looks like you need another trip to SF :p

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  13. Gorgeous pics! I've always wanted to visit San Fran. Every pic makes the place look out of this world!

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  14. Thanks Lindsay.. :) I hope you can plan a trip soon!

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  15. Britney @ Princess & CowboysTuesday, June 16, 2015 6:27:00 AM

    I've always wanted to visit San Francisco! It looks awesome!

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  16. I've only been to San Francisco once--when I was 5--but I can vividly remember driving down Lombard Street and seeing the Golden Gate Bridge. I absolutely need to get back again! :) My husband and I keep talking about doing a CA road trip, but we're probably going to wait until our toddler is a bit older.

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  17. Oh wow! You must have a great memory! :o
    Road trips are always fun- Hope you can plan one soon.

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  18. You're very welcome! You should also add a bike ride to Sam's in Tiburon on there! Get there early (right when it opens) and take the Ferry back to the city :) I'm moving to Chicago for business school in August! Sad to leave SF but I'll be back!

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  19. I love SF <3 It's the most amazing city!!! Thanks for sharing!
    xoxo
    Lara

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  20. I am loving it too :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  21. Thanks for sharing- that sounds fun!
    Good luck with school .. Chicago is great too!

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  22. Wonderful! I love your photos :) We used to like going to see the seals there, or are they sea lions? Either way, beautiful city!

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  23. Its beautiful. I am obsessed with all things California. San Francisco is on my bucket list for sure. I can not wait to go! Your pictures are beautiful too! Thank you for sharing, it makes me want to go even more now!

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  24. Thanks :) I haven't seen the sea lions yet.. Where did you go to see them?

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  25. Thanks Christine.. Maybe this could be your next vacation! :)

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  26. I really love San Francisco, although I do hate driving around that city, ugh! I love all the history and architecture though, so beautiful! You did a lot of great things, but you still have a lot to see. ;) There's always another weekend, right?

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  27. The sea lions at Pier 39, always an entertaining time, Especially when you have a couple that are playing King of the Mountain. :)

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  28. Yeah, driving is a pain there! Even more, finding parking :(
    But I am still gonna go back for more..

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  29. Thanks for sharing that! I have to go there soon.. :)

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  30. I love San Fran, I haven't been there in a while, but it's always so beautiful and the food is amazing too! So glad that you got to get out and be a tourist for a day. We sometimes take for granted what is in our own backyard!

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  31. lovely photos! it looks so great :)

    stop by and chat :) http://storybookapothecary.com ♥

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  32. So true... But, it was a lot of fun. Glad I pushed myself..

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  33. I love San Francisco - but omg, you're so right about the jacket! I learned that the first summer I went with my parents - we were in disbelief about how cold it was!!

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  34. I've never been, but your photos are so picturesque that it's hard not to imagine myself walking in them!

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  35. Great photos! San Fran is one of my favorite cities to visit! One of my fave things to do was biking across the GG bridge!

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  36. This makes me homesick for California!

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  37. Oh! i need to try that sometime... (gotta get a bike first lol)

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  38. Yeah.. Nobody believes it when you tell them :D

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  39. We just rented them, it was easier! ;)

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  40. Those houses!!! Gosh, I would love to travel to California and San Francisco would be the first stop! It looks like you had an amazing time and your pictures are just breathtaking!

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  41. Oh thats great! Thanks for telling me..

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  42. Now I really want to go to San Francisco! It sounds like you really had a blast :) I know the feeling of not having brought a jacket and really needing one...not fun!

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  43. Yeah.. I learned that lesson hard way :p

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  44. Wonderful! It has been so kong since I visited San Fransisco and hope to be able to return one day! xxx

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  45. I've heard so many great things about San Fransisco. I definitely have to visit one day.

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  46. I am myself exploring the place still, and I am liking it so far.. You should plan too! :)

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