So I’ve never been to San Francisco (or even California for that matter) up until last weekend. I know, pretty lame, especially considering all the great things there are to do in the area, considering I have friends out there, AND considering I have family out there too. But I eventually got in gear and spent a nice long weekend out in Sunny California, with a few small hitches.
Note: I originally typed out all the issues I had with the flights and whatnot, but it took up 3 large paragraphs…so I’m condensing it into something a little smaller. In a nutshell, all 4 of my flights had some sort of delay, the two longest had some extreme turbulence (Boston to Houston was horrific), and my iPhone decided that it’d stop letting me make or receive phone calls.
The trip itself was one of the best trips I’ve had in recent memory. The weather was great, sunny and low 60′s, albeit a little windy, but that was loads better than the low 50′s and rain that Boston was getting. The three days I spent ended up being in Monterey (and the 17 mile drive), SF itself, and lower Sonoma for some wine country experience.
On the way to Monterey, my buddy and I stopped at a place in Moss Landing (think a small road lined with some warehouses and a pier) for what another buddy raved as “the best Cioppino you’ll ever have.” Naturally, I was curious (well, I’d also never had Cioppino before). So, 2 hours later, I rolled myself out of Phil’s, stuffed completely silly. The Cioppino was gigantic, with crab, shrimp, clams, mussels, whitefish, bay scallops, and squid in a tasty tomato broth. Add a fried appetizer plate of bay scallops, oysters, shrimp, and squid and well, I almost ended up napping the rest of the way down to Monterey! Pebble Beach was amazing too. Had a picture I found on the net of the 18th at Pebble Beach and I doubt I need it anymore, after snapping about 30 pictures of the scenic 18th. The staff was very good about it too, as long as I didn’t bother the golfers that were on the course. Rounding out the day trip was a stop to Carmel by the Sea.
Phil’s Fish Market
Phil’s Cioppino
Monterey coastline
Pebble Beach Golf Course
Pebble Beach 18th
Carmel by the Sea
Menchi Katsu – Curry House Cupertino
Day 2 was spent in San Francisco proper, hitting Chinatown, Pier 39 and the Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Park, Japantown, and finally ending up in the Marina District. Some great photo opportunities including a loud and smelly group of seals at Pier 39 and some windsurfing and parasailing in the Bay. One thing of note were the abundance of small, hole in the wall, Dim Sum takeout stores where the store literally comprised of a kitchen and a counter with about a dozen steamers on it. Ended up visiting 4 of these places, sampling some various dumplings and other goodies (unflattering gluttonous pictures not posted). Boston doesn’t have much in the way of these types of “fast food” stores, with most of the Dim Sum being sit-down establishments (not a bad thing mind you, but this was definitely a different experience!). Met up with my cousin and his wife in the Marina district after all of the days affairs and had dinner at a quaint French / Italian restaurant that I can’t quite remember the name to.
Chinatown
One of many Takeout Dim Sum places in Chinatown – my favorite one
Pier 39 – That’s a lot of seals!
Golden Gate Park
Wrapping up the trip on the third day, I ended up at the Marin Headlands for most of the morning, taking about 200 photos during the short time there! Then it was off to wine country, this time just hitting downtown Sonoma and a couple wineries in the South. Lunch at El Dorado Kitchen (I ended up with the Salmon special, and still can’t figure out everything in it after asking the waiter 3 times!), followed by stops at Castle, Gloria Ferrer, and Roche wineries (And my first barrel tasting!). Quick dinner at my cousin’s place (I got to roast the potatoes, hope they didn’t mind them burnt!), a glass of bourbon, and an episode of the Office to finish the night.
Marin Headlands
More from the Marin Headlands
Downtown Sonoma
Salmon Special, El Dorado Kitchen
Castle Winery
Gloria Ferrer Winery
Roche Winery
Roche Winery Barrel Tasting
Honestly, I can’t wait to go back. Wish I spent more time there on the first trip, but hey, I can’t complain too much about it. Now to get those bottles of wine…
You can find the whole set of photos here.