El Hub and I played hooky to spend the day in San Francisco and celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary (10!) last Thursday.
We didn’t go having any plans. We just kind of wanted to wing it and hang out with each other doing something fun, since we haven’t done much of that over the past few months since Connor arrived.
So, um…yeah, we went exploring. 🙂
I wanted to do things that I’d never done in the city before, and I’d never seen the crooked part of Lombard Street with all of the switchbacks and hydrangeas.
Or the famous Painted Ladies? — a row of quaint and colorful Victorian and Edwardian houses that harken back to a bygone era? I’d never seen them in person before last week. And dude, I lived in San Francisco for years, LOL!
I know, crazypants.
So yeah, we definitely did some touristy things, which is a lot of fun sometimes, then had lunch at this wonderful restaurant on the water in the Embarcadero called Waterbar (serves kinda pricey but delicious seafood; highly recommended), where I had my first glass of wine since June 2015.
It was really, REALLY good, BTW. 🙂
Apparentely, I missed wine a lot more than I thought.
It was a fun day, and it was good to break out of baby jail for a while.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Ruchita says
What a beautiful city! Wandering around seeing the sights seems like a lovely way to spend the day. I’m hoping to make it out to San Francisco sometime next year. We’ll probably stop there for a few days before visiting my sister-in-law in San Diego. Happy (belated) anniversary! 🙂
Karen says
If you make it out here let me know! I’d love to see you. 🙂
Ruchita says
That would be great! Wish I could bring the kitties with me too. It would be a fun cat lady meet up. 🙂
Karen says
Wouldn’t that be fun? I wish sometimes that it was easier to travel with cats. I mean, Tabs can barely even tolerate the car! El Hub and I were joking around a few days ago about moving to New Zealand, but there’s just no way. Tabs would freak out on a plane, poor baby.
I think you’ll like San Diego; it’s one of my fave places in Southern California. Have you ever been?
Ruchita says
I know! I see dogs hanging out in cars and they look so happy, but it’s some kind of torture device for cats.
I visited San Diego years ago when I was in college. We’re actually going to be there sometime next month. I think we’re going to stop a couple of days in Seattle first and then head to California.
I’ve decided that if I win the lottery and move somewhere exotic, I’ll rent a private jet with plenty of room for the cats. Yes, I’ve actually thought about this! 🙂
Karen says
If Tabs had his way we’d carry him everywhere in our arms. SERIOUSLY. The private jet is brilliant! Now I know how we’ll get to Kauai with Tabs once we win the lottery. You’re a genius!
Definitely let me know if you stop in SF! Hopefully we can meet up.
Ruchita says
Kauai is where I would go too! We could build a cat lady compound. 🙂
I’ll definitely let you know when I’ll be in the area. It would be so much fun to meet up!
Karen says
I have a dream of having a farm there. I’d also build a cat sanctuary on the property! Yes, I’ve worked this out. 🙂
And yay! Hopefully we can make Tabs and Mingy’s dream come true.
Syah says
Wow that blue house in Lombardo is stunning! 🙂 Want to make it to San Francisco one day.
Karen says
Isn’t it amazing? I love it, especially with the flowers!
I think you’ll love SF. It’s very similar to Vancouver in many ways.
Syah says
It does seem that way. 🙂
Karen says
I think you’d enjoy the food scene. Lots of different types of cuisine, and so many amazing places to eat and drink!
Syah says
YAASS. Food tells so much about a history and culture of a place! Really love to go down south one day 🙂
Karen says
The cool thing about the Bay Area is you can get amazing food just outside of SF too. If/when you come you’ve gotta make a day trip up to Napa. TONS of epic restaurants, and you could go wine tasting too if that’s your thing.
HeraKitty says
The Cupid’s Span and Bay Bridge areas (Rincon Park) are basically my Monday-Thursday view at work. I work from home on Fridays most of the time.
Do you know how many sharp turns are required to drive down Lombard St? San Francisco is beautiful, isn’t it? Love love love this city.
Glad you had fun, Miss! Belated happiest of anniversaries to you and El Hub! XO
Maria says
I’ll never tire of SF – so beautiful! BTW, I’ve missed your posts…
Karen says
San Francisco will always be one of my favorite places. 🙂
I’ve missed posting! I’m trying to do more these days, since Connor is a little older.
Carolina Braina says
Ahhh, so many memories… 🙂 It will always be my favorite city in the whole world!
Karen says
Definitely one of my faves. If/when I win the lotto (only a matter of time, gotta stay positive), I’m moving back!
Rachel says
Whenever I see all the cool/old/unique houses in SF (or any city for that matter) I always wonder what they’re like inside. So much so that once I was walking by one that was having an open house so I went in pretending I was interested, lol!
Karen says
Hi Rachel,
I think you’ll enjoy this piece I recently read on the Painted Ladies: Inside a Painted Lady.
TravelingBlush says
Thanks for that blog recommendation! I just went there to read it and wow! It’s gorgeous inside!
Lulle says
Looks like you had an awesome day! Congrats on the 10th anniversary. Time flies, right?
I was in the Bay Area for the 4th of July weekend, and we went to the newly reopened MOMA. It was really interesting and the cafe in there serves great food. I recommend it for your next adventure!
Iris says
Happy anniversary!
Tatiana says
Happy Anniversary!
Did you go to the Cable Car Museum, too? I love riding the California Street line. Not as crowded as the Powell Street line.
I love the views of the bay from on top of those hills.
Thanks for sharing your photos with us.
Janet Shepherd says
Oh girl you’re giving me wanderlust, I want to come back to San Francisco so badly! And who knows when that’ll be with bub on the way!
I’m glad you & El Hub got a break for your anniversary, I think that’s really important for new parents. Happy anniversary you guys!
Kiss & Make-up says
It looks so nice there! That winding is street looks fuuuuuuunkaaaay 😀
Kim says
So beautiful. It seems pretty common for residents not to do the touristy things but I’m glad you were able to do all these because it looks like you had a terrific day! 🙂
yelena says
Congrats on the big 10 yr anniversary!
pictures look lovely and it looks like you guys had a great day 🙂 I have never been to San Fran but its definitely on my bucket list!
TravelingBlush says
Happy anniversary, babe! Here’s to many, many more years to come.
SF sounds like a nice place, hope to make it there some day.
Chris25 says
Ooh, look at those Edwardian and Victorian houses! I’ve gained a greater interest in those eras. I got a Victorian cookbook for my birthday and I am rewatching Downton Abbey. 🙂
Erin says
I miss it there!
Stephanie says
You hadn’t been to Lombard Street before?? I take all the tourists down there – it seriously freaks them out when you’re driving a huge car down it! And of course 17-year-old-me just learning to drive DEFINITELY got nervous. Ahh, love San Francisco! Glad you took a day trip!