San Francisco Bay Area

So it's not necessarily the biggest tourist-magnet, but I was visiting friends, and I had a blast! Here are some photos with my notes/what we did!

Pier 39 sea lions--definitely worth a stop by! Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf were cutesy and fun, especially if you like shopping. I bought a charm for my charm bracelet at a shop dedicated to them--though you won't find any in any other shops. This part was very touristy.

A shot of the city from the top floor of our hotel.

Valella valella. These creatures (purple sails) have been showing up on California's shores all summer. They are related to the jelly fish, and probably won't hurt you if you pick them up, though some people have shown a kind of allergic reaction to them so be sure!

Lava rocks!

The third day we were in SF, the weather was very nice, so we rented bikes and rode all the way across the Golden Gate Bridge! It was absolutely beautiful, and a really fun way to spend the afternoon. There are tons of places for tourists to rent bikes around town, and I would highly recommend it! If you have time, it might be worth it to bike all the way to Tiburon and take the ferry back, as many people do.

There are plenty of places to stop and take photos of the bridge, and generally plenty of people to take your photo!

It gets really windy and really cold across the bridge, so be aware!

A view of the city from a pier (not 39).

One night we ate at Boudin Bakery, where bread wonders abound! While you're waiting for your meal, explore the sourdough museum. It's actually really interesting to watch the bread being made, and of course there are bread samples as well! 

A couple more photos of the water and of Pier 39.

One of my favorite things about San Francisco was the houses. They're all so colorful and squished together, how could I not love them?

Our last day was spent exploring Golden Gate Park and the Japanese Tea Garden within. The garden was beautiful, and worth the $7 to get in. It's full of lots of neat bridges and pretty ponds, plus one that's impossible to climb over without your hands. 

There is a place to try out some tasty teas and treats. The only tea that comes iced was delicious! (I can't remember what it was called).

Reason #6: Tourists with Umbrellas

Although today is an unseasonably sunny day in October, that doesn't mean we haven't seen our fair share of rain this fall. As a native to Western Washington, it's almost a relief to see the end of all the sunny weather. During the summer, there is a kind of pressure to get things done and to be outside and not waste a single second of that beautiful, elusive sunshine.

So now, I just want to sit inside with hot tea and a blanket, and watch a funny movie or read a cute book. Is that too much to ask for?

Another fun fact about us native Washingtonians...we can spot tourists from a mile away. Why? Because they're the ones with umbrellas.

The rest of us know that most of the time, it rains sort of sideways and up into your umbrella, so they're a somewhat useless device.

Unless your car breaks down and you wind up taking the bus in a downpour...

Maybe I should have used that umbrella I
own somewhere...shoved in my trunk? Closet?
I really don't know...