If you haven't ever watched the movie, "What's Up Doc?" you should. Not only is it hilarious, but it takes place in San Francisco! Great combo.
So here's the thing. I needed a vacation, so I booked a flight to CA and decided I would bike around San Francisco, just to see what all the fuss was about. I have heard mixed reviews about how San Francisco was once a beautiful city, but now is overthrown by homelessness and stench filled streets. Ouch... that's not what I was looking forward to, so I did some research. Because of this, there were a few people who warned me not to go to SF, especially since I would be going by myself.
But, if you know me, especially when it comes to traveling, I do what I want. I am all about experiences. Naturally, the planning process was resumed. Not only did I want to bike across the Golden Gate, but I wanted to go into Sausalito, because it's GORGEOUS.
Yes, I was going to be by myself, until my friend came to pick me up- so I wanted to choose something that allowed me to get around the town to get a feel for San Fran. Hence, the bike rental.
So here's the thing. I needed a vacation, so I booked a flight to CA and decided I would bike around San Francisco, just to see what all the fuss was about. I have heard mixed reviews about how San Francisco was once a beautiful city, but now is overthrown by homelessness and stench filled streets. Ouch... that's not what I was looking forward to, so I did some research. Because of this, there were a few people who warned me not to go to SF, especially since I would be going by myself.
But, if you know me, especially when it comes to traveling, I do what I want. I am all about experiences. Naturally, the planning process was resumed. Not only did I want to bike across the Golden Gate, but I wanted to go into Sausalito, because it's GORGEOUS.
Yes, I was going to be by myself, until my friend came to pick me up- so I wanted to choose something that allowed me to get around the town to get a feel for San Fran. Hence, the bike rental.
I arrived in SF at 8 am. I picked my bike up at Blazing Saddles, right on Hyde street, near the pier. It was a little foggy, but I pedaled on. I biked along the wharf, across Fort Mason, through Crissy Field, and up towards the Golden Gate.
SAN FRANCISCO /
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
Ghiradelli Square
SF Skyline (Coit Tower and Transamerica Pyramid)
Just in time! I got to see a sailboat race
Creepy... but worth the document
Crissy Field
Once on the GG Bridge, you can see just how foggy it was.
Good thing the further I biked, the clearer it got.
I reached the end of the bridge and all of a sudden: SUNSHINE
Good thing, because I wanted to see all the glories of Sausalito, and fog wouldn't have
sealed the deal. Isn't it gorgeous?? I haven't even begun my descent yet, and I can already tell
the beauty I was in for. I mounted my bike and headed down the hills leading to the beautiful Sausalito.
SAUSALITO
What a breath taking experience. I rode down the luxurious road, and in front of me, nestled amidst the forestry greens and the indigo blues were bold, colorful houses. Wow, oh wow. I was getting so side tracked by the beauty that I almost lost control of my bike... good thing I didn't fall or crash.
This is the hill I almost crashed on... I was coming down on my bike at an alarming speed.
I think I scared some people. I scared myself.
Famous Lappert's Ice cream
Too precious for words. It's like gold.
Catching the Blue and Gold Ferry back to San Fran.
Me and my bike will miss you, Sausalito.
(....sigh....)
Now, back to San Francisco...
Bay Bridge and skyline
Coit Tower
(how cute is that little symbol of the bridge on the flag!?)
The ferry took me to the Ferry Building that is up above the pier at Fisherman's Wharf.
That gave me a great opportunity to bike through Nob Hill, Russian Hill and of course, China town.
Passed by the TransAmerica Pyramid
and...
all the scooters parked out front!
(thinking of you, Laura)
(thinking of you, Laura)
First stop:
China town
China town
Yes, it is a bank.. how quaint.
Mural painted on a wall
After spending some time getting back in touch with my Asian roots, I moved forward
up those blasted SF hills... seriously, why are they so steep?
But, isn't she lovely???
Nob Hill
Grace Cathedral
It's a replica of the Notre Dame in Paris. I have been to Notre Dame, but
this little guy is impressive just the same. And, it's a small ode to the Decemberists.
My time was growing short, and I was really feeling the burn in my legs.
It could be that I am really out of shape, but it could also be because of
the many, many steep hills I had to bike up.
Whatever the case, I had to make it down to Lombard street,
Whatever the case, I had to make it down to Lombard street,
because that's what Barbara Streisand and Ryan O'Neal would want me to do.
(Again, another pitch for the movie, "What's Up Doc?") Seriously, watch it.
I headed down Hyde Street, which seemed like a demonically steep hill.
Good thing I was riding DOWN the hill.
Going down Hyde Street on the cable car
Russian Hill
Home of Lombard Street
Lombard Street is located between Hyde and Leavenworth street.
It consists of eight turns (or switchbacks) and thus holds the title of
being the most crooked street in the world. The street has a natural, steep, 27% grade.
Oh dear.
I chose to ride down the street on my bike.. because that is the cool thing to do!
But then I realized that I too, would have to bike up the hill so I could return my bike
that was located on Hyde street.
Coit Tower in the distance
After I returned my bike and I picked up my luggage, I was ready to meet Erin.
Erin was driving down from Seattle with her sister Jamie, so they picked me up in SF.
We drove for the next 4 hours to her home town of San Luis Obispo (SLO).
It was fun to see Erin, because I haven't seen her for a year!
We stayed at her dad's house that night.
The next morning, we drove to Montana de Oro State Park,
which is located in Los Osos on the coast.
Tide pools ~ mussels and starfish
On top of the world -Ode to Pride and Prejudice
(if you don't know this scene, then you seriously need to watch the movie!)
What a great little gallivant along this coast.. our feet were black of sorts.
I am not sure what the color was, actually. It was gross for sure.
I had to document of course...
After scrubbing off the dirt, we decided to go down to Avila Valley Farm
(a little farmer's market with an awesome baked goods section!)
Olaliberry Turnover... so good, and the size of something large!
Avila Beach
The next day was a special day.
I got to go to Bubble gum Alley!
I was reading some reviews online, and like 90% of people
said how gross this alley was... considering all the chewed gum. I thought otherwise.
This is a colorful piece of art, in my opinion. I love it!
It was Erin's Grandma's 80th Birthday celebration!
A lot of Erin's family was there, so I got to meet some aunts, uncles and cousins.
It was fun to meet them all, they were all so nice.
I got along really well with her aunt Lisa.
Erin's mom ordered this fetching sweet birthday cake from Madonna Inn,
and sweet it was! It was a champagne cake that stood like 20 inches tall!
FYI... we ate a Madonna cake, next we climbed Madonna Peak.
Madonna practically OWNS San Luis.
After much celebration, it was only fitting to climb a peak.
For exercise sake, we trekked up Madonna Peak.
I told Erin time and time again that I seriously might die up the mountain, because
I am severely out of shape (that's what a Master's program will do to you.. make you a couch potato due to all the required reading and writing business)... anyway, she invited her friend Rick to come along too.
Apparently he hikes, mountain bikes, snowboards and everything else athletic too, so I was
hiking with two pro's... how comforting was that? I mustered up the endurance and kept going.
I had to see the view! And to the top we hiked :)
Here's a little "after math" of hiking.... blisters!
Time to head NW to
Morro Bay State Park
Morro Rock
(again, one of the "Nine Sisters")
As we were getting ready to leave,
this swarm of pelicans flew in..
it was like a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's film "The Birds"
Scaaaaary.
We then went down to Erin's mom's house and spent the next few days there.
The next morning was MY BIRTHDAY.
Oh yeeeeah.
We went to Solvang, which is Danish meaning "sunny fields."
This city is full of merchants, bakeries and shops offering a taste
of Denmark to the good people of California.
Also home to the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen
"To travel is to live" -Hans Christian Andersen.
(thank you for saying such wise words!)
I love bookstores, and especially this quaint reading nook... I think Hans adored it as well :)
getting ready to surf ~
in the girls bathroom
Oh, the last day has approached... I must head home.
But, there must be one more stop before I board the plane.
Santa Barbara
Home bound
Going down Hyde Street on the cable car
Russian Hill
Home of Lombard Street
Lombard Street is located between Hyde and Leavenworth street.
It consists of eight turns (or switchbacks) and thus holds the title of
being the most crooked street in the world. The street has a natural, steep, 27% grade.
Oh dear.
I chose to ride down the street on my bike.. because that is the cool thing to do!
But then I realized that I too, would have to bike up the hill so I could return my bike
that was located on Hyde street.
After I returned my bike and I picked up my luggage, I was ready to meet Erin.
Erin was driving down from Seattle with her sister Jamie, so they picked me up in SF.
We drove for the next 4 hours to her home town of San Luis Obispo (SLO).
It was fun to see Erin, because I haven't seen her for a year!
We stayed at her dad's house that night.
The next morning, we drove to Montana de Oro State Park,
which is located in Los Osos on the coast.
On top of the world -Ode to Pride and Prejudice
(if you don't know this scene, then you seriously need to watch the movie!)
What a great little gallivant along this coast.. our feet were black of sorts.
I am not sure what the color was, actually. It was gross for sure.
I had to document of course...
After scrubbing off the dirt, we decided to go down to Avila Valley Farm
(a little farmer's market with an awesome baked goods section!)
Avila Beach
Vendors and music on the beach?
Yes, please!
Pier shadows
Fresh lobster taco
The next day was a special day.
I got to go to Bubble gum Alley!
I was reading some reviews online, and like 90% of people
said how gross this alley was... considering all the chewed gum. I thought otherwise.
This is a colorful piece of art, in my opinion. I love it!
It was Erin's Grandma's 80th Birthday celebration!
A lot of Erin's family was there, so I got to meet some aunts, uncles and cousins.
It was fun to meet them all, they were all so nice.
I got along really well with her aunt Lisa.
Erin's mom ordered this fetching sweet birthday cake from Madonna Inn,
and sweet it was! It was a champagne cake that stood like 20 inches tall!
FYI... we ate a Madonna cake, next we climbed Madonna Peak.
Madonna practically OWNS San Luis.
After much celebration, it was only fitting to climb a peak.
For exercise sake, we trekked up Madonna Peak.
I told Erin time and time again that I seriously might die up the mountain, because
I am severely out of shape (that's what a Master's program will do to you.. make you a couch potato due to all the required reading and writing business)... anyway, she invited her friend Rick to come along too.
Apparently he hikes, mountain bikes, snowboards and everything else athletic too, so I was
hiking with two pro's... how comforting was that? I mustered up the endurance and kept going.
I had to see the view! And to the top we hiked :)
At the top, with Laguna Lake in the background
Bishop's Peak
(part of the Morro's "Nine Sisters")
Here's a little "after math" of hiking.... blisters!
Time to head NW to
Morro Bay State Park
(again, one of the "Nine Sisters")
this swarm of pelicans flew in..
it was like a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's film "The Birds"
Scaaaaary.
We then went down to Erin's mom's house and spent the next few days there.
The next morning was MY BIRTHDAY.
Oh yeeeeah.
We went to Solvang, which is Danish meaning "sunny fields."
This city is full of merchants, bakeries and shops offering a taste
of Denmark to the good people of California.
Also home to the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen
"To travel is to live" -Hans Christian Andersen.
(thank you for saying such wise words!)
Oh yes. Bakeries are always a yes.
Here are some treats of choice from Olsen's
Such a delightful day trip! I love Solvang!
My birthday wasn't quite over yet, so we walked down the shore at
Pismo Beach
and then ate at Splash Cafe. It was around sunset, so it was perfect!
Erin, Hailey, Me and Paula
Somebody's getting proposed to with an airplane message :)
It's "official" now.
Fries are the best way to determine the age of a person.
That was an amazing day! It was so memorable. Thank you to Erin, Paula, Hailey, California
and the great town of Solvang for making my day so special :)
The next day Paula took us paddle boarding on Lopez Lake!
Wow, that was so nice of Paula to take us! It was such a blast! I learned
that it takes a lot of balance and core strength. That is officially checked off my list!
This experience only prepared me for my next adventure...
at the Madonna Inn
(this is a unique place to stay, featuring 110 different rooms, each with
a unique theme - like a Cave Man themed room or Queen of Hearts room and so forth)
Oh.. and there was A LOT of pink.
in the girls bathroom
That felt fun. Thank you, Madonna Inn for inspiring us all.
Shell Beach
Sea glass we collected ~
But, there must be one more stop before I board the plane.
Santa Barbara
Total understatement, of course - but worth saying!
I love this photo. My phone picked up the plane's propellers...
Can you see all the vineyards??
Passed over a fuming fire... the flames are bright orange.
And all good things end with a sunset.
Goodbye CA. Until we meet again :)