My hubs, Steve, and I recently enjoyed a quick visit to San Francisco. It wasn’t our first time, but we were excited because we had planned to make the most of our visit and do some things we hadn’t previously done. With our bags packed and plans made for our mini-getaway for two, we were on our way and pretty pumped about it.

There is something about San Francisco that feels surreal. From the very first time I drove across the Bay Bridge into the city, I felt like I was driving straight into a movie. The Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge, Alcatraz … it’s a city full of iconic, cool places that capture your imagination with their beauty, mystery, and magnitude.

First thing in the morning when we arrived, we got checked in to our hotel in Union Square and wasted no time getting started on our full exploration of the city. The very first thing we did was head to a trolley stop. While this was not Steve’s first time aboard these iconic contraptions, it had been a long time since he had, and it was definitely my first. We opted to pass up on seats for the opportunity to stand on the slim edge and hold tight to a brass pole. As oncoming trolleys and traffic zoomed past just inches from us, we squealed at the exhilaration of it and awed at the fact that this mode of transportation was remotely legal. Nonetheless, we enjoyed every second huddled up tightly beside one another enjoying the breathtaking, picturesque, fun, and must-do ride all the way to the Hyde Street Pier. From there it was all walking.

After taking a stroll down the Hyde Street Pier, we walked to Fisherman’s Wharf. Steve and I aren’t big seafood people, but we still enjoyed checking out the markets with giant lobsters, crabs, and all sorts of fishy options. Despite passing on a true Fisherman’s Wharf lunch, we did go for a San Francisco style treat – sourdough bread bowls with soup. I even ventured so far as to get lobster bisque, which was rather delightful, I must say. Quickly devouring our grub, we hit to the sidewalk again continuing all the way down the Embarcadero to catch the Alcatraz Clipper (not a short walk – fyi).

That’s right; we were voluntarily heading over to the notorious and ominous Alcatraz. This was something I had always wanted to do, and this time our adventure was a first for both of us. We boarded the boat and enjoyed a gorgeous jaunt over to “The Rock.” We happened to visit San Francisco on one of the most beautiful days of the year, which meant that Alcatraz was more like paradise than a prison to us. The views of the city were panoramic and unparalleled. As we tried to imagine what it would have been like on an average foggy, cold, and windy San Fran day, we headed up the long walk to the prison itself. We were enamored with the stories of the prisoners who once resided within its concrete walls. It was an incredible, indescribable experience that I will never forget.

After catching the ferry back to the Embarcadero, we continued our lengthy day of walking by heading to the Ferry Building to meet up with a long-time friend of mine that I hadn’t seen in ages. We enjoyed some hors d’oeuvres and great conversation while the sun sank into the horizon. With a full day of excitement under our belts, we made the long trek back down the Embarcadero to catch another trolley back to our hotel to call it a night, but not before stopping at the legendary Blondies for a late night slice of pizza. It was a perfect day.

The next morning we indulged in a yummy breakfast at a diner in Union Square. Fueled up, we did yet more walking. This time we checked out the downtown area enjoying various parks, shopping venues, and made sure to stop and get me my first Giants baseball t-shirt. Not sure how I have lived out in California for nearly five years married to a huge Giants fan and was just managing to pick one of these up. For whatever reason, I was happy for the new addition to my wardrobe. Having enjoyed a lot of what the city had to offer, we packed up, checked out, and hopped aboard BART to head to the airport.

As we always say when we manage to get away together just the two of us, “We have to do this more often!” We have so much fun together, and it’s just so exciting to get away and make new memories with each other. All in all, visiting San Francisco with my best friend and the love of my life was an incredible adventure that I enjoyed every second of.*To comment on this entry, simply click on the “no comment” link in blue just below the post (if someone has already commented, you will see a number instead of “no” in front of “comment”). Fill out the form that pops up. Your name & email are not required. Once you have entered your comment, click on the “Submit a Comment,” and it will appear once it is approved for posting.