San Francisco - Thirty & Flirty & Thriving

Last day in my twenties with my amazing sister!

…and just like that I turned 30. Oh how the years go by so quickly! As most of my friends and family know, I LOVE birthdays! They are just the best day of the whole year, and what a blessing to continue having more. I knew my 30th had to be big, so I decided to make it a golden destination to finally see the Golden Gate Bridge! My sister and I had a wonderful ‘girls’ trip for 5 days to San Francisco!

On April 2, my sister and I were up and away to see what magical things 5 days in San Francisco could offer us. We landed in {{What really should be called ‘The Windy City’}} On Thursday mid-morning. We took the BART from the airport into the city where we were very quickly educated on the neighborhood where we stayed…. {lesson of the day, do a bit more research on the neighborhoods of SF!} We were a bit culture shocked to see the happenings going on around us in broad daylight, but once we got our bearings and sense of direction, we hit the ground running!

Fitting :)

Laurie and I spent the first day just getting lost and wandering around this amazing place. We had so much fun seeing such a different place and figuring out what kind of trouble we could get into over the next couple of days. We made our way to the Bay Bridge area of lunch and the breathtaking views! Later that afternoon we took our very first ferry ride over the Sausalito for the evening. Oh. My. Goodness. That was seriously one of the most fun things I’ve ever done in my life! We had no idea what to expect, but it was pretty much a booze cruise and boat loads of fun! [See what I did, there?] We fell in love with Sausalito! It was the most picturesque little place I’ve ever seen! We found a great spot on the water for wine and dinner, and had the best sister-date in ages. It was a fantastic first day!

Our first ferry ride!

We had no idea how windy it was going to be!

Sausalito!

Sausalito Selfie :)

perfect evening with my sis!

Golden Gate by dusk

My pretty sissy

Well done, SF. Thanks for such a fantastic first day!

Friday, {{BIRTHDAY!}} we were up and at it early. I woke up to the most beautiful birthday roses sent by my sweet Colin. What a guy :) We made our way to Union Square where we took a SF City Tour that day! haha. Yes, we were those obnoxious people on the double decker buses that on any other day I would despise, but we needed a way to get around the city! We were dropped off at the Golden Gate Bridge, where we gawked for hours in amazement of this magnificent structure! It was the most beautiful day. We walked across the bridge singing the Full House theme song over and over. [I know, I can see you rolling your eyes…] We made our way back to the cute little downtown area of Sausalito, and were scheduled to get on a shuttle to the redwood forest, but we were quite literally the only 3 people that didn't fit on the bus…My sister, myself, and our new friend, Rosie. Rosie was an adorable 24 year old girl from France who was traveling Solo for one year around the world before beginning residency for med school. We had lunch and drinks at this wonderful little Mexican cantina and enjoyed getting to know our new friend. She was such a doll and so brave! She was leaving the next day to fly to Miami where she would continue her adventure into the Bahamas and onto the next part of the globe. 

Birthday Cocktail!

Refuled and feeling buzzed on cocktails and life, we finally made it to the Muir Woods. I think this was one of the most beautiful things and one of my favorite parts of the trip. The Redwood Forest was so fascinating to walk through! It was fun imagining getting lost in the forest of the tallest trees in the world. We spent a couple hours touring the woods before returning back to the city. We had a simple pizza dinner and Sister found a cute little bakery for cupcakes, and we finally made our way back home for the night, exhausted from all the miles walked, but ready to do it all again the next day.

Saturday morning bright and early, we made it to the NW corner of the city, and it was Laurie's first time to see the Pacific Ocean! It was cold and windy, but that didn't stop her from getting soaked in the cold, salty water! She learned a very important lesson that day: Never turn your back to the ocean ;) {She walked around with wet pants for the better part of the day}

Laurie's first time at the Pacific Ocean

We spent hours walking through Golden Gate Park and found the Japanese Tea Gardens. 

It was such a beautiful day! 

Japanese Tea Garden

Me and my pretty sis

We had lunch in the Mission District and then meandered our way walking almost every square inch of the city! 

Laurie wanted to by a Paleta

I found my street!

We took our obligatory photos in front of the Painted Ladies Victorian houses, and the Full House house. Multiple cups of coffee and 20 miles later, the final trek was the steep incline up Lombard Street, where we watched the sunset over the Golden Gate Bridge from what felt like the highest hill in the city. It was a beautiful day! We feasted on a crab dinner and made our way to the bus stop just in time to catch the last bus home. 

Remember Gramma is always with us :)

So very SF

The Full House house!

Easter Sunday we were up early and dressed in our best to attend Easter Mass at Grace Cathedral. It was a beautiful service and I was so happy to have shared that day with my sister, and reflecting on the countless gifts of God's grace that he has put in my life. We had big plans to explore China Town after church, but it was pouring rain! Exhausted from the previous days, we decided to have an easy day instead and went to brunch. 

Easter brunch: best waffles of my life!

During our meal, I got a phone call from our cousin, Laura, whom we haven't seen in years, inviting us to come to their home for the day! It was perfect! We took the BART across the bay, and in a half hour we were reunited with Laura, her son Deven, and got to meet her new husband, Joe! We spent the whole day with family and friends, and it was just what the doctor ordered! We had so much fun and it just made the trip complete :)

Look who met us at the train station?! Our handsome cousin, Deven. He's grown into quite the handsome guy!

First family photo with these crazy guys in more years than I can remember!
Sister, Deven, Laura, and Joe

That evening we were back in the city and spent the night back at Fisherman's Wharf. I had to try my first Clam Chowder! And I really liked it!! We watched the sunset from the pier and sleepily made our way back home for one more night.

Sea Lions of Pier 39

First time to try clam chowder!

Laurie's first clam chowder

Monday was our last day in the city, and I think by that point, we were both ready to head home. This was the first time on any trip I was ready to come back home to the special and amazing person waiting for me. I can't describe what a feeling it was :) Must be love.

I let my sister sleep in that day, {After getting yelled at for waking her up early every day..}  We finished out the day with a little bit of shopping before heading back to the airport. And just a couple quick hours later, those handsome boys, Colin and Justin were waiting in the airport to take us home. It was a wonderful sight :)

It was a birthday well spent in the City by the Bay. Cheers to 30!