california + the city \\ part 1

Our much anticipated trip to California ended this past week but in its place took wonderful memories, pictures, exhausted bodies and totally full spirits.

I remember vividly last year when Jared, myself, David and Rachel sat in a small mom-and-pop diner in Stillwater, and had the idea to plan a trip to San Francisco and wine country together. You know how it goes... all talk and big ideas in the beginning, but then you actually make something happen and it turns into the most exciting planning ever. 

We spent a few days in downtown San Fran, and then drove up the coast to Sonoma and Napa Valley for another few days. Wine country. :) More about that in a following post - first, it was the city. And we loved San Francisco! The architecture was so different, the colors of the houses so diverse, the hills, the ocean, the varied cultures, the food! We packed as much in as our bodies could handle, and filled each day with non-stop adventure, navigating the city and public transit, new experiences, and laughing a whole lot. 

Our first day in the city was also my birthday. We wandered the city in the morning, saw the pier, visited the Ghirardelli factory, hiked the hills, walked Lombard street, found some quality deli's for wine + cheese, and (a must see for Rachel & I) was to visit the painted ladies while singing the Full House theme song on the hill. Just to name a FEW high points of our day! We did so much.

Despite how foggy it was right around the bay, the weather was quite pleasant to be a tourist! Low 60s but never any rain, so we were quite comfortable. But it could change in a heartbeat, which is why I'm so thankful people told us to pack layers!

Rachel and I had purposefully watched The Princess Diaries the week before we left, and so when we wandered into the arcade right off Fisherman's wharf and found this guy, we were pretty pumped. Dad, I thought of you when I touched something Julie Andrews has touched! (along with how many thousands of other people) ;) 

My birthday sundae at Ghirardelli Square. Best sundae I've had in my lifetime. Chocolate, caramel, whipped cream and the creamiest ice cream ever. Pretty good way to celebrate my 26th birthday, I'd say!

Maybe the highlight of the day was our first ever experience sailing! It was a bit chilly out on the water, but we made due, and I will never forget the experience of being on a boat that was meant to roll around on the water like that. Honestly thought we were goin' in a time or two! I will never forget it. Watching the sail unfurl, the boom swing around, and when the wind caught, we were flying!

The Alcatraz experience as a whole was amazing. Another major highlight! Initially I was a little bummed that we wouldn't be able to see across the bay to the city, but in retrospect I think the island and all it symbolizes was even more enchanting looking like this!

Recommendation: the audio tour is amazing. Hearing from actual past guards and past inmates was captivating! Favorite part: seeing the cells that some escapes were made from and how they chiseled away with spoons at the air ducts for years before being able to slip through. Second favorite part: seeing the explosion marks in the floor from breakout scuffles and the rugged and chipping metal and paint, knowing that I was walking and looking at a place most people would have killed to get out of. 

We escaped the rock! :) The sun broke through as we were leaving the island, and though the Golden Gate bridge was still shrouded in clouds, we had a beautiful view of the city and Bay bridge.

After our morning at Alcatraz we headed to pick up the car and make the trip across the bay over to Sausalito for the afternoon. It was so quaint and we had a really good time strolling the boardwalk, lunching at an outdoor patio, and beginning the more relaxing portion of our trip.

Sausalito was a town totally unique to the vibe of the city - the houses stacked up on the hills, the beautiful sailboats, quaint shops and restaurants, quiet walks, but one drive up the mountain, and you would have thought we were in a different state. It became arid and rocky, and then the next minute you were in muggy, almost rainforest climate up by the redwoods. We did make a quick stop at Muir Woods National park for good measure to see the big redwoods before we continued onto Sonoma.

Our first few days in the city totally delivered. Jared and I have already talked about going back! But onto wine country we went, and it was JUST as impressive in a totally different way.... more to follow... :)