Saturday, January 14, 2012

Treats and Views in San Francisco

Well, yesterday I went to San Francisco. I went to Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, and Ghiradelli Square and had a very nice time with a friend who got me reacquainted with the spots to be.

This is my sister and I at Pier 39 almost exactly three years ago, the last time I was there. It stuck in my memory enough to want to visit again.

As you can see, it's a pretty popular place.

My friend and I had fish and chips at Chowders, a fun little eatery right at the front.

Then we went to see the sea lions at the pier! They are so fun. If you click on the picture you can get a closer look.

Apparently it's the 22nd anniversary that the sea lions have been coming to hang out here.

Then we went to this nice park by Ghiradelli Square. If you click on the picture and get a closer look, you might be able to see the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

Then we made our way up to Ghiradelli Square...

...and shared a banana hot fudge sundae. It's the quintessential Ghiradelli Square experience, if you go there, you have to get a sundae, cupcake, or both. We got a cupcake for his roommate.

Then we went to his favorite bread place, Boudin.

They have fantastic freshly made bread in all shapes and sizes, and all kinds of fancy seasonings, spreads and kitchen tools inside. I took home a loaf of sourdough to enjoy.


After browsing the shops at Pier 39 a little more, I headed back.. and took a picture of a trolley.

It was a fun day, and I hope to visit the city again in not too long. Maybe next time I'll visit Chinatown and Union Square.

This is from when I visited Chinatown in 2009. Just look at all those cars.

Have a great weekend! I plan to spend mine relaxing and baking muffins.

16 comments:

  1. Hey Jen!

    Great post! Enjoyed the pictures you shared of San Francisco--what a great city!. Sounds like you guys enjoyed all the sights and sounds--certainly seems like a place with much to offer, including yummy treats(banana hot fudge sundae, cupcakes, sourdough, etc).

    Are you done with all your last minute travel arrangements before your big/exciting trip? On another note, you may not remember this, but the last time you posted about San Francisco, their baseball team won the World Series; and, now, whatwith your latest visit, their football team won a playoff game over the weekend, placing them just one win away from a trip to the Super Bowl. Hat tip to a city of champions.

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  2. San Francisco has a lot to offer for sure. I found some nice gifts for my friend in Virginia, too, in the gift shops at Pier 39.

    I'm starting to finish getting ready for my trip today.. packing, printing out my boarding pass.. then I'll head over to the airport in plenty of time tomorrow. San Francisco certainly seems like a successful team for sports, good for them :)

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  3. Wishing you safe travels, Jen. Back next week to see what's on tap here at your Epic Treats

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  4. Jen,

    I thoroughly enjoyed this post, your visuals are truly breathtaking...what a great city. Here we're covered in snow, that's not too bad it's the ice that gets to me. I shouldn't really complain, we've had an extremely mild winter (so far). Today, was the first day that I actually wore my winter boots. I own 5 pairs, and I really did not have the need to wear any of them before now.

    Enjoy your trip, I think you'll be needing those new winter boots.

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  5. Trust that this message finds you safe and sound, Jen, enjoying your vacation time. Have to agree with Meesh's weather forecast (seems Mother Nature may have awakened Old Man Winter from his nap) so hope your Christmas gift came in handy--if needed. Excited about the prospect that you took some pics and will develop a new post around your adventurous travels when you return. Have a great week/Carpe Diem!

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  6. Thanks Al :). Thanks also for the greeting card, very thoughtful of you. I will send you over some pictures when I get back to CA, too many to post on my blog. I trust you'll send them over to Meesh to share also.

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  7. Hi Jen, Nice to see you, yeh Al is very thoughtful that way, was it from http://www.gratefulness.org or was it http://www.123greetings.com ?

    Yeh Al sends great cards, he spreads the joy what a guy eh?!

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  8. 123greetings.com :). I like that site. It inspires me to send a greeting card of my own.

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  9. Hey Jen!

    You are welcome for the greeting card, well-deserved for the classy way you carry yourself (you run a pretty tasty--no pun intended--site here at Epic Treats). Am looking forward to those pictures, and, of course, you may trust I'll share them with Meesh. Hope you're enjoying your vacation, and will experience safe travels as you make your way back to California. Have a great week!

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  10. Follow up...

    Just a note of thanks and appreciation for sharing your vacation pictures (just got them, and WOW! doesn't seem adequate enough). Who knew the nation's capitol could look so inviting even without the Cherry trees in full blossom in the Spring?! Did you and your friend get a chance to visit the Smithsonian? Judging from the great snapshots, looks like you had a wonderful time.

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  11. We visited a number of Smithsonians on our day tour of DC-- about four or five, I think. They were very nice. I may get a chance to see those blossoming cherry trees if I go back and visit in a few months. :)

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  12. Hi Jen!

    Sounds like time well spent. Hope you get a chance to return and visit in the Spring when the cherry trees are in full blossom(add your photography skills and post cards are in the making).

    Wondering aloud if the Potomac River may have been frozen in some spots along its riverbanks, or if the unseasonably warm temps had her sparkling waters flowing smoothly down stream. Have a safe & relaxing weekend, Jen. Back here next week to find out what's on tap here at your Epic Treats.

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  13. Hi Jen!

    I too thank you for sharing those great photos...like Al, I agree those are fabulous photos of your Nation's capital. I couldn't help but notice you and your friend were all bundled up with rosy cheeks and smiles... Did you find the climate very different from what you're accustomed to in California?

    Now this, has nothing to do with your trip... I recently received this youtube from my sister. Thought I'd share this with you and Al (and all who may look in here) Have you guys ever seen this video?

    Al often makes reference of his dog Prince with a 45 degree look/stare..when he's puzzled about something, I immediately thought of that too...LOL

    This video is two dogs waiting patiently to get served in a “restaurant”, and in spite of waiting, never get anything to drink. I find this video fascinating! This is so cleverly done, I didn't know which dog to watch!
     
    http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=EVwlMVYqMu4&vq=medium#t=125

    Have a great weekend!

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  14. I noticed I posted the medium clip...here's the beginning of the video to the end.

    http://youtu.be/EVwlMVYqMu4

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  15. Haha, thanks Meesh, that clip is pretty cute. It was way colder there than what I'm used to, yes.

    As for the Potomac, Al, I think it might have been frozen over. I saw some people ice skating.

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  16. Yes, cute @ video : ) Thanks for sharing, Meesh. Appreciate your response to my question, Jen. Very observant of you to recognize some people were ice skating (was just wondering aloud how close you guys were near the Potomac during your leisurely stroll--that river sparkles in the Spring amid the beautiful whites and pinks during cherry blossoming time)

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