This is a “throwback” post from a trip to San Francisco last October. I used this trip to test-run writing about my travels in the future.

I could get used to life in California … the first time I was here in my adult life was to San Diego, and I was initially put-off by how different it was from east coast life. But within the day, I started imagining my day-to-day life with perfect weather, regular ocean views, a less rushed environment, the list goes on and on!

My last trip to California was to San Francisco, and I fell in love even more. San Francisco and the entire Bay Area offered so much to explore and wander.

Vikram and I started in San Jose, where we spent a night with his cousins—I loved meeting and getting to know them! The next morning, we took the Caltrain north into San Francisco and to our AirBnB apartment in Cole Valley. It was a beautiful, sun-filled apartment in a quiet neighborhood and close to several shops and restaurants. Sheila met us there, and we spent the afternoon walking around the Ferry Building, down to Union Square, through Chinatown and Little Italy, and finally up to Coit Tower for some city views.

That night, we reunited with our college friends: Kate and Andrew (Katandre), Lauren and Cody (Lody/Laudy), and Sheila, of course. It was the first time we had all been together in over a year, since Kate and Andrew’s wedding—and I’m not sure when we’ll all be together again!

On Friday, we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge to the tune of “If you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.” Our first stop was in Marin County to visit Muir Woods. I was glad that we got there early to not only get an ideal parking spot in the small lot, but also to appreciate the tranquility of the woods before crowds descended on it.

Then we grabbed sandwiches and ice cream in Sausalito (where I almost fell into the bay…) before heading back over the Golden Gate Bridge. We stopped at some overlooks to get good views of the bridge and the bay, as well as catch some of the Blue Angels airshow!

We ended the day with some more great (and windy) views from Twin Peaks and then dinner in Haight Ashbury. The next day … wine country!

Travel Notes:

• We rented a 8-person passenger van to get to Muir Woods and Sausalito, which was much more cost effective than buying $50+ tickets per person for a tour bus to take us. For two days with the van (we also used it for Napa Valley), it cost $250 + gas. We used City Rent-a-Car, which also allowed us to do after-hours drop-off.
• We got to Muir Woods early, around 8:45, and the parking lot was already filling up (this was a Friday). We got the last spot in the closest parking lot to the Visitor’s Center. The other major benefit of getting there early is that the woods are much more peaceful. When we were leaving, there were hordes of tourists groups descending—but for our walk through the woods, it was pretty quiet and not crowded.
• We couldn’t find parking at the Golden Gate Visitor Center, but there are several lots to the west of the center that also lead you to less crowded overlook areas and about a 5-10 minute walk to the visitor center.
• For me, Twin Peaks was a surprise highlight of the day. We were also lucky to catch a fog-free day, so we got great views!