San Fran 2013

Two weekends ago Andy and I boarded two different flights (due to flight vouchers that we had on different airlines) and headed out to San Francisco, California.  I had never been, and it had been a few years since Andy had been, and it was time for our active vacation - so this was the spot we picked!  Since Andy likes to stay busy, and I'm happy sitting on a beach, we try to mix it up each trip.  And boy did we stay busy....I wrote down what we did each day and will try to document the best I can for you all!

With the 2 hour time difference, we were up at 5am on Saturday morning ready to go.  We got ready and hit the streets before the sun was up.  We found this awesome place for breakfast called Sears Fine Dining.  We had the best pancakes and french toast, sipped coffee and hung out until the rental car place opened up.  We got our car and got on our way.  On the way out of town we traveled down Lombard Street, which is the most crooked street in America - 8 hairpin turns.  It was crazy and on a steep hill!

Andy slowly driving down the street.  Luckily it was bright and early so not much traffic was out and about.

We crossed the Golden Gate Bridge.

And then made our first stop at Muir Woods.  I loved this National Park.  The trees are just gigantic and the scenery is just beautiful. 

One big tree.

Practicing my photography skills - this picture sums it up though - so pretty out there!

After Muir Woods we traveled up the Hwy to Sonoma Valley, we had lunch at a delicious vineyard called Solbar in Calistoga, and then traveled back down through Napa Valley.

It is so beautiful out there, and the amount of vineyards is just amazing.  When we booked this trip back in October, we didn't know I was pregnant at the time - so it was kind of my worst nightmare to be pregnant in wine country - but that just means I will have to come back when I'm without child!

Beautiful day in Napa.

Vineyard along the way.  The mustard flowers were just beautiful.

We drove over the Bay Bridge on the way back, hit up Golden Gate Park, and stopped at the Ocean.

We couldn't resist a drive past the actual Full House house - and then we had dinner on the bay.  Clam Chowder of course.  And yes folks, that was just the first day. 

Sunday was another beautiful day.  We took a Ferry ride over to the island of Alcatraz.  Got a great view of the San Fran skyline on the way over.

Alcatraz.

Learned so much history on the audio tour.

Outside the main entrance.  Definitely recommend this tour for anyone traveling to San Fran - but get your tickets a head of time!

We then walked to Pier 48 and had more awesome seafood at Scoma's.  Clam chowder, lobster bisque, calamari, and crab cakes.  My dad would have been in heaven. 

We were so close to Ghirardelli Square after lunch that I couldn't resist a warm brownie sundae.  Andy didn't think there was anyway I could eat it, but I proved him wrong. 

We took a cable car ride down some pretty steep streets, and landed at Union Square where we sat in the Square for 10 minutes just enjoying the sunshine.  We decided our backs and feet hurt too bad to walk any further, so we caught the movie Les Mis at Westfield Mall.  I mean when do we ever have time to catch a move on the fly like that??!!  After three hours of resting, we continued our walk back to Chinatown, where we ate at House of Nanking, which was amazing.  Then to bed by 8:30.

Monday the plan was to take it easy - but that didn't end up happening.  We started out with a walk to breakfast at Honey Honey, then we caught a free tour given by the Public Library Association called the Fire and Earthquake of 1906 walking tour.  Very informational and got to see some cool buildings.  We then took a small break, and then hiked up to Coit Tower to take in the beautiful city views.  Andy was just fascinated by the bridges, so I got a picture of him with the bay bridge behind him.  We then hung out in a park for a bit, had some gelato at Naia Gelato, and had dinner in Little Italy.

Awesome trip - we definitely saw all there is to see in San Fran, ate awesome food, and walked off all the calories we consumed!