San Francisco 2009

SAN FRANCISCO 2009












Trevor and I went to San Francisco last week Sept 10-14. Trevor had to work but I just went for fun. Which meant that I spent most of my time by myself but I don't have any issues with that because there was so much to do. On Thurs. Day One- We left Madison and had a connecting flight thru MSP. We arrive at 7:30pm in SFO. We took the BART to downtown and walked to our hotel. The hotel was a "European hotel" book by Trevor's company travel company. We were "upgraded" which so funny because it wasn't an upgrade. The next night we were going to change hotels because of the travel company mixed up our first night lodging. The hotels were right next to each other and next to a male strip club!!! Trevor and I found this very funny but when Trevor's co-workers arrive at the hotel they told the travel agent that this was not OK and they should change our hotel. We thought that was a great idea! So that night Trevor and I went out to dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. The restaurant was in Union square on top of Macy's with a great view. California recently passed a new rule to post the calories of all the items on the menu. Just so you know cheesecake ranges from 600 cal to 1700 cal per slice! We passed on the cheesecake. :).


Day Two- We had booked tickets to Alcatraz for the 9am boat but Trevor ended up having to work. So I went by myself. I took the cable car and was talking to the conductor about how far and I asked him if he thought i would make the boat. He polite replied "Nope". He then stop the cable car and waved down a taxi for me to take me to pier 33. I was talking to other locals and told them this story and they couldn't believe they did that. I made the boat but just in time! Alcatraz was great. The audio tour was fabulous. You got to see the cells and solitary confinement. It was weird to walk inside the cells. They were very small. They told all the escape story which was very cool. Then I got back on the boat and returned to the city. I had lunch at Boudin which is a great sourdough restaurant. Then I took a double Decker bus tour of the city which is a fast way to get a overview of the city. I then took a bus trip over the Golden Gate bridge and to Sausalito (across the bay) and then returned to the city. I went talk to the half price ticket booth about getting Wicked Tickets and he gave me the low down on how to get tickets at a reduce cost. I had to run to the theater by 6 to get my name in the lottery for $25 tickets. I thought I would never get them because there were so many people but I won two tickets. I purchased two in hopes of Trevor joining me. I was able to convince him to skip dinner with his coworkers and come with me to Wicked. It was very good and had great costumes. My only complaint was it was so cold in the theater. It was a very busy day but I had wonderful weather for SF.





Day Three- I called Bridget in the AM and we planned to go to Napa Valley . Mike and the kids joined us. We went to Sterling Winery and took a gondola ride up to the top of the hill. Bridget's boys loved this part. We had some great white wines and red wines (the reds were not my fav but they never are) I of course had too much which amounted to one glass of wine (which was too much) We then drove thru the small towns and back to the city. Bridget even took me down Lombard Street. Bridget and I went out to dinner with some of her friends at "The slanted door" Because of our group size we had to order Pre Fix which was so funny because I am a very picky eater. Bridget and I were kicking each other under the table because the group had to order together. It was all good but so funny. The restaurant is supposedly very difficult to get reservations so I am glad I had the opportunity to try it. I totally understand Bridget's life more now. I just have to say I am glad to live in the Midwest and have Midwest values. I don't think I will ever have two nannies and not work. Bridget told me this was a rare case but I now get it. It was an eye opening experience. After dinner we went dancing at Club Kokomo. Bridget and I had the same thought in the car. "How the hell did we get in the car with these people and where the hell are we going" We ended up getting lost but eventually found the Salsa dancing club. We had fun and I even tried to dance but I really have no rhythm. The poor guys that danced with me. We left at about midnight and that was the end of day three.




Day Four-This day was spent in the city seeing the remaining sites that I miss on the first day. I stopped by the SFMOA and then took a bus tour of Golden Gate Park, which went past Alamo square and the painted lady house (AKA the Full House houses) We went past the Haight and Asbury district and returned back to Union square. Next on my list was the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival. I had an chocolate overdose. I couldn't eat anymore. But I did get some Kara's Cupcakes. Which were delicious. After that I took a food tour of Little Italy. I got to try some more chocolates. We saw a behind the scene of a 100 year old bakery and tried some olive oil. Then on to another bakery for some chocolate eclairs and finished with a museum tour of the Beat generation. (Which was before my time. ) After the tour I walked back to our hotel thru Chinatown. I picked up Trevor and we rode the cable car (Trevor really wanted to do this) We went to dinner in little Italy. Trevor had pasta and chicken and I had pizza. It was great! Then we jumped on cable car and went to Fisherman's wharf and to Ghirardelli square for a sweet treat. Then back on the cable car to Union square. I had to wake up at 3:45 the next morning to get my flight. Trevor had to stay an extra day and will return on Tues. It was a very busy trip but I am so glad I got to see the city. I had a great time!