Following the Barbary Coast Trail

Barbary Coast Trail with Feet
Originally uploaded by tarakay827.

We had fun finding the trail markers... all in all day 2 was a fantastic day and we had a lot of fun. We did not however enjoy the reality that set in when we stopped by an open house and discovered that the 80% increase in housing cost between Chicago and San Francisco really does mean 80% and yes, that is a lot!

Sunday
8/20 – Barbary Coast Trail includes lots of sights, Fisherman’s Warf for lunch
Pier 39, ride cable car
Dinner in Pacific Heights neighborhood- reminded me of our neighborhood at home- Lincoln Park

Tara in North Beach

Tara & The City 1
Originally uploaded by tarakay827.

Our walk headed us through North Beach and it was quite the interesting area. I love coffee so I found it very cool to see all the coffee and cafe's all over the place. We headed up to Coit Tower for more amazing views.

Dan in Union Square

Dan in Union Square
Originally uploaded by tarakay827.

After we found a great little breakfast place, Cafe Mason where I had the best blueberry pancakes of my life, we found ourselves in Union Square. Which in relative terms is the Michigan Avenue of SF. But they have palm trees here! It was also very nice to get here before all the "tourist!"

Barbary Coast Trail - Day 2

Barbary Coast Trail
Originally uploaded by tarakay827.

Day 2 we were still on central time so we woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed by 6:30. Good thing because the itinerary was filled with touristy things so it was nice to get an early start. I found the Barbary Coast Trail map on the internet and it started right across the street from our hotel. So our day 2 was filled with the typical sight seeing stuff and we had a blast.

Tara in Golden Gate Park

Tara in Golden Gate Park
Originally uploaded by tarakay827.

Ah, here I am once we finally got to Golden Gate Park. I chose this pic because it was far enough away that you couldn't see the bags under my eyes! Man was I tired at this point- after getting up at 6 and traveling across the country- the walk up all those hills to get to the park almost did me in for the day! The smell of the eucalyptus trees was quite refreshing though. The park was really cool- very different from what we are use to seeing. Dan especially liked the hippie parties.

Dan in Alamo Square

Dan in Park 4
Originally uploaded by tarakay827.

The first item on the itinerary after arriving in San Francisco was to walk to th Golden Gate Park. Along the way there we got to see the finer things in life in San Francisco, among them bums relieving themselves in bottles, nasty words scratched into the sidewalks, and of course amazing views of a completely different city. While San Francisco is not Chicago, the views were quite amazing. And to go from 90 degree weather in August to 50-60 degrees is also somewhat amusing as I realized that even though I packed some warms clothes, I brought way to many tank tops!

Here is a picture of Dan calling sushi restaurants for dinner reservations while we took a breather in Alamo Square. Cool little park we stopped at on route to Golden Gate Park. They even had a dog of the leash area- the pups would have loved it!

Dan & Tara Traveling Adventures...

Dan & Tara in GGP 2
Originally uploaded by tarakay827.

So about a month ago Dan and I went on our very first real vacation together. After much debate on where we go, we decided on a week long trip to Northern California. After months of saving and planning, we rolled out of bed at 6am on the big day and dropped the doggies off at doggie daycare before heading out to O'Hare. And yes, I had to hold back a few tears for abandoning the pups- we have never left them behind before so I felt more than a tad guilty running out the door and leaving them with strangers.

But, alas, we had adventures to look forward too! The first day was mostly spent in travel. Once we got to San Francisco though we ditched our bags and headed out to explore the city.

Saturday
8/19 – Arrive in SF around 2.30pm
Check in to hotel
Walk to Golden Gate Park (about 3 miles from hotel)
Sushi at a neighborhood place