Day 1 - Thursday. Lea dropped us in the city. We picked up our GO Cards (one flat price got us into a lot of attactions). We saw the sea lions at the pier, took a trolley bus tour, wax museum, went to the aquarium, went to the Exploratorium (hands on science museum), walked all over Fisherman's Wharf, saw Ghirardelli Square. For dinner we went back to Lea and Brian's and cooked fish tacos - California style (cabbage, avocado, pico de gallo). It was our first experience with fish tacos - delicious!
Day 2 - Friday. We got dropped in the city again and took a ferry out to Alcatraz. We walked around the island and took the audio tour of the prison. After that we had lunch and took another trolley bus tour. I may or may not have fallen asleep onboard! After a quick stop through the Ferry Building (way cool!) we spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing/napping in a park. We met Lea and Brian for happy hour near their office and then did some shopping at the Gap (with Lea's discount!). Dinner at PF Changs and back to their house for a low key night.
Day 3 - Saturday - my birthday!!!! We had a slow start to the morning and then went to the San Mateo farmer's market (fresh kettlecorn - yum!), hiked a couple miles at a beautiful state park (huge redwoods!), visited a really cool beach and then stopped along the water for a late lunch. After that we headed back into the city. Brian and Ryan hung some shelves while Lea and I relaxed. For my birthday dinner we went to Kingfish - one of their favorites. We shared some sushi rolls as an appetizer and all had great entrees - jambalaya, steak, shortribs, sea bass. Lea had even called ahead to arrange a special gluten free cake! A perfect day!
Day 4 - Sunday. We started the day with a visit to the Golden Gate Bridge. We walked partway across and got some great pictures. Then we headed through Sausalito and had brunch in Tiburon. After bruch we headed north to wine country. We visited a few vineyards in Sonoma - beautiful! On our way back through the city we drove down Lombard Street - the curviest street in the world (followed by Snake Alley in Burlington, IA!!) Then Lea and Brian dropped us at our hotel for our last night. We grabbed dinner at Uncle Vito's and had a low key night at the hotel.
Day 5 - Monday. We had breakfast at the hotel and then went out exploring Union Square. We did some real shopping and some window shopping (Tiffany, Gucci, Prada). We checked out of our hotel at noon and then went for lunch at a 50's diner. Our shuttle picked us up at 1:30 and we were headed back to reality.
A WONDERFUL trip!
The pictures are in approximate order. And, as always, click to enlarge.
ENJOY!
Soaking up the sun as we waited for the bus
Jellyfish at the aquarium (Ryan is a talented photographer!)
More jellyfish
On the trolley bus
Chinatown
The Exploratorium
At the Exploratorium
Boats in the bay
Alcatraz from the ferry
On Alcatraz with the city in the background
Full House (just kidding...typical SF street - hilly and the houses are so close together)
Our fabulous hosts
Hiking through the forest
Do you see me!? The tree was HUGE!
L & D
The blustery beach
