I had never been to SF before, and that's a darn shame. So when Alaska Airlines had an awesome fare sale this summer, we jumped on it. We also had a enough orphan points lying around in random places to scrounge up two free hotel nights AND a free car rental. When the star align..you should go to San Francisco.
Similar to our Victoria trip a few weeks ago, this one was characterized by a lot of walking and a lot of good food. Hopefully the pictures entertain you, since I'm sure reading about all the food and wine isn't nearly as interesting as eating it.
One of the downsides to the fare sale was no flying on Fridays or Sundays. So after a relatively late night Friday we were up in the 4'oclock hour to head to the airport. Those are the mornings where you are eternally grateful you live approx. 14 minutes from the airport. Our flight left an hour late (fog in SF, how stereotypical) so by the time we touched down and got into town (on BART, neat!) we were starving despite it not really being lunch time. We were staying downtown right in the shopping district and we headed over to Yank Sing, a great dim sum place that Matts co-worker had recommended. It lived up to its reputation, and feeling nourished, we put on our walking shoes and scooted through Chinatown, all the way up to Coit Tower, and back down again to the Embarcadero. Hills? Yes.
We then got to meet up with my co-worker Christina, and her husband Sergio for lunch. It's funny working every day with people you've never met so I jumped at the opportunity of being in the vicinity and they recommended a fabulous Brazilian Steakhouse - Espetus Churrascaria . So. much. good. food. It was a late lunch anyways, but we didn't get hungry for dinner until about 9pm. It was fun to meet face to face and get to hang out.
They were kind enough to drop us at -where else- the Golden Gate Bridge. We took some pictures, and spent the rest of the day wandering. Haight-Ashbury, Buena Vista Park, Painted Ladies, The Castro, Mission District. I wanted to see more, but my poor feet weren't having it. We had some great drinks at Regalito on quiet little street when all I wanted was to sit down. Then tapas and some amazing pisco cocktails at Limon.
Sunday morning after a rather long adventure to pick up our rental car, we made our way to Boulette's Larder in the Ferry Building right on the water. Rather expensive for a brunch but excellent food, adorable little restaurant. Oh, and did I mention it was supposed to rain all weekend? You can see from the pictures it certainly didn't.
After a morning in the city we made our way to Napa. We'd never been before, despite having done quite a bit of wine tasting. I must admit, I had heard how expensive it was and was expecting a very snobby atmosphere. I've been to wineries like that, and it just makes it no fun. Well, I was pleasantly surprised and not only was the wine great, but the atmosphere was fun too and we had some really interesting people pouring.
We had to go and ruin our palettes immediately after all that nice wine by fulfilling Matt's one wish every time he goes to CA: In -n - Out. By that point we were exhausted and had another early morning flight to get home in time for work, so we were off to bed.
Similar to our Victoria trip a few weeks ago, this one was characterized by a lot of walking and a lot of good food. Hopefully the pictures entertain you, since I'm sure reading about all the food and wine isn't nearly as interesting as eating it.
One of the downsides to the fare sale was no flying on Fridays or Sundays. So after a relatively late night Friday we were up in the 4'oclock hour to head to the airport. Those are the mornings where you are eternally grateful you live approx. 14 minutes from the airport. Our flight left an hour late (fog in SF, how stereotypical) so by the time we touched down and got into town (on BART, neat!) we were starving despite it not really being lunch time. We were staying downtown right in the shopping district and we headed over to Yank Sing, a great dim sum place that Matts co-worker had recommended. It lived up to its reputation, and feeling nourished, we put on our walking shoes and scooted through Chinatown, all the way up to Coit Tower, and back down again to the Embarcadero. Hills? Yes.
Alcatraz
Street Car
We hopped on it..
Christina & I
They were kind enough to drop us at -where else- the Golden Gate Bridge. We took some pictures, and spent the rest of the day wandering. Haight-Ashbury, Buena Vista Park, Painted Ladies, The Castro, Mission District. I wanted to see more, but my poor feet weren't having it. We had some great drinks at Regalito on quiet little street when all I wanted was to sit down. Then tapas and some amazing pisco cocktails at Limon.
Fine Arts Palace. Or something like that
Color. Lots of color.
View from the aptly named Buena Vista Park
Alamo Square, the Painted Ladies, and downtown
We found some nice Uruguayans to take a picture of us. They asked if Matt was from Brazil.
Scoot Scoot
Sangria and agave wine margarita @ Regalito
If you're wondering what Matt looks like when it's 11pm and he's trying to be enthused about being in SF even though he's exhausted..
Sunday morning after a rather long adventure to pick up our rental car, we made our way to Boulette's Larder in the Ferry Building right on the water. Rather expensive for a brunch but excellent food, adorable little restaurant. Oh, and did I mention it was supposed to rain all weekend? You can see from the pictures it certainly didn't.
Ferry Building
Adorable kitchen
After a morning in the city we made our way to Napa. We'd never been before, despite having done quite a bit of wine tasting. I must admit, I had heard how expensive it was and was expecting a very snobby atmosphere. I've been to wineries like that, and it just makes it no fun. Well, I was pleasantly surprised and not only was the wine great, but the atmosphere was fun too and we had some really interesting people pouring.
Artesa. Great view. Very nice wine.
We shared 1 classic & one reserve tasting
Not the best ambiance but nice wines, and super friendly. We shared the reserve tasting and ended up with about 10 pours
Alpha & Omega. Great wines, nice setting, friendly and attentive staff.
And the guy took a bunch of pictures of us. Bonus points.
We had to go and ruin our palettes immediately after all that nice wine by fulfilling Matt's one wish every time he goes to CA: In -n - Out. By that point we were exhausted and had another early morning flight to get home in time for work, so we were off to bed.
