It's been too long! My appologies. Alicia and I worked a four day stretch and then headed off to San Francisco! We absolutely love that city, we both agree that if there was any city in the world that we could live in, San Francisco would be it. The buildings, the culture, the neighborhoods, the restaurants, and the public transportation make the city so appealing.
On Wednesday we headed to the airport but got there a little late so we had to park in the closer lot which meant more money! Oh well.... Better than missing our flight that's for sure! When we got to Oakland, we headed over to the rental car place, then to yet another off site rental place to pick up our car. We booked with Advantage - mainly because of the price. We're still not sure whether waiting a full hour from the time we picked up our bags to the time our bags ended up in the trunk of the car was worth it...
After making our way to the city and checking into our hotel we headed out to Rocklin, about two hours inland, to see Jason, Patti, and Dylan! The drive took forever. We hit each city's traffic, during rush hour, not fun. Jason and Patti had dinner waiting for us when we got there! We had Buca Di Beppo's and then frozen yogurt for dessert. I got to hold Dylan for the first time! He's one cute kid!! I'm an uncle! How crazy... Alicia was right, seeing pictures of Dylan is one thing, but then actually being able to hold, feel, and smell him is just something you can't but help fall in love with. ...Well, some smells I could do without. Haha.
We stayed at the Warwick - San Francisco, an older hotel with all the quaint amenities and decor of the euro-american old world. What really happened is that we got lucky and won the "name your own price" bid on Priceline. I don't think we have any photos of the room but lets just say we now know what our dining room would look like if we put a bed in it. Haha. We enjoyed our stay at the hotel though, it was close enough to major BART stations, MUNI lines, a sketchy backpackers hostel, and a "Massage and Sauna" parlor...
The next day (Alicia's Birthday) we spent in Santa Cruz. We love exploring little beach towns like that - it reminded us of the trip we took up the coast a few years back. [Which, by the way, is a road trip that I encourage everyone to take - it's relaxing, carefree, and you get to see all the beautiful sights that California has to offer.] We spent the majority of the day at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. This may sound strange, but from the moment we walked onto the boardwalk I had a strong sense of deja vu - come to find out my parents had taken my brother and I there when I was about five years old. Can you imagine, twenty two years later, and I still remember the roller coaster and smells of the boardwalk!
Per the birthday girl's request we had dinner at an Ethiopian food restaurant off Geary St at Assab Eritrean Restaurant.
On Friday we decided to go out and have a famous San Francisco breakfast at Dotties! ....Yeah right! The line was at least an hour long. Moving on... We ended up eating at this place called Honey Honey Cafe and Crepery. Good food! It definitely hit the spot - chocolate waffles, pecan pancakes, can't get much better than that! Shortly thereafter, we were on a mission. We had tickets to go to the Giants game on Saturday but had no team attire! So strolled, strolled, walked, hiked, ran, etc.... all the way down to AT&T Park to get some Giants paraphernalia.
We met up with Heather and Tom at the Grand Hyatt and watched people repel from the top of the building - Scary and amazing all at the same time. Turns out it was for the Special Olympics or something, that takes guts! I don't know that I could have done that sober - that's for sure! Kudos to those athletes!
We ended the afternoon with drinks at the GH Lounge 36 floors in the air! Yup, your ears pop in the elevator going up and down! The view was amazing! I didn't know that you could take in such a spectacular view for free.
Friday night we had dinner at One Market. The food was great and the half price wine bottles were even better! I definitely recommend anyone to dine there, make reservations though, it fills up quickly.
On Saturday we met up with some old friends, Melinda and Rick. They had graciously enough saved a spot in line for... Dottie's True Blue Cafe! We're so lucky! Breakfast was amazing - it was like a home cooked meal but better. I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to making breakfast... mainly because of the whole waking up part...
Saturday afternoon was relaxing. We walked around Ferry Building and along the piers. There's so much to see and do in San Francisco! Our on foot journey eventually lead us to AT&T Park for the Giants vs. Brewers game. This was my first Giants game, ever. And I think... my 4th baseball game? I'll be the first to say that I'm not a sports fanatic by any means. Enter, my wife. She patiently explained all the in's and out's of the game and laughed with me... or at me... when I called it a "double out" instead of a "double play."
After the game a few of us went to a piano bar on Geary St for some post game beers! ...The atmosphere was kind of a buzz kill though. The piano guy was mediocre at best and his covers were kinda... well, I'll just say we didn't stick around to finish our beers...
Sunday morning was our LAST day in the city! The whole group got together at Honey Honey again and had breakfast. Alicia and I got there early and waited the line out for everyone else. That place was so packed but we managed to stick a few tables together. I think eating is one of the ultimate social activities a group of friends can do. Before long, it was time to say our goodbyes and head back home...
We arrived at the airport in good time actually! Alicia and I have learned that between us we can master public transportation! ...Well, maybe her a little more than I.
On the airplane we were in line with this little old Asian lady. She was shorter than my mom! I don't know, maybe it's my approachable face, my friendly aura, or the fact that I'm a young Asian male with a genetically ingrained cultural respect for elders... But she kindly asked me to help her with her luggage. Of course, I was more than happy to! As we were preparing for lift off the steward had moved her bag three rows back and I could see the poor lady turning in her seat, stretching her neck trying to catch of glimpse of where her luggage was relocated to. I reassured her that I would get her luggage for her once the place landed. Pauline, my little old Asian lady friend, was so grateful. I felt like I was on one of those pay it forward commercials...
There you have it! Quality time with your better half, great food, amazing friends, and random acts of kindness.
My photo project during our trip!
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