San Francisco!

Brian and I spent Spring Break in San Francisco. I have fallen in love with the city and I am so meant to live there. It is absolutely beautiful! I had the best time there and I REALLY want to move to California next year. We'll see but hey, it is always good to have goals.
We left the 23rd from O'Hare and it was a very bumpy ride. Well, bumpy until we got closer to the Sierra Mountain Range and then it smoothed out. It was almost a five hour flight and by the time we could see California from the airplane window, I was more than ready to walk on land. San Francisco was chilly when we got there, but it was still warmer than the weather I left behind. One interesting note is my ipod touch fell out of my bag in the Super Shuttle van that took us to our hotel. I was freaking out and tossing everything on our sleep number bed because that is a $400 item..well, I called Super Shuttle and they put me through to the guy and he told me he found the ipod and would drop it off at the front desk the next morning. HONESTLY! I have NEVER seen that in all my 23 years here in Chicago. Seriously. If I left my ipod in a shuttle can here, it can be very safe to say that it would be gone forever.
The hotel we stayed at was the Radisson at Fisherman's Wharf. What the hotel lacks in outside appeal, makes up for it in the courtesy of the staff and it is a convenient location for all the happenings on the wharf and pier. The hotel room was comfortable, although it lacked closet space. The bed was cozy and I enjoyed being able to adjust my side to be very soft. I loath hard mattresses because I can always feel it in my back the next morning.
We did the Alcatraz tour and the ferry provided terrific views of the bay. The prison was very interesting and actually has a tie to the "windy city." I'll give a cookie to whoever can tell me what that tie is.
We went on a vintage car tour of the city and it was spectacular. I went up close and personal with the Golden Gate Bridge and saw many parts of the city that I could not have otherwise. I even saw the Mrs. Doubtfire house!
Muir Woods was the next day and let me tell you, those are the most beautiful trees I have ever seen in my life! They are huge! There is nothing like touching something that has seen so much change in the world. I mean, those trees probably saw creatures that no longer exist and if they could talk, I would love to listen to them tell the events we all wish we could have seen. Sausalito was next and if you want to visit a nice little Italian cafe, I can tell you just where to go.
Haight Ashbury was my favorite. I am a huge hippie and it was like going to Mecca. I visited the head shops and did some shopping. I bought some organic food and pictured all the hippies partying back in the summer of love.
We then walked to Golden Gate Park where let's put it this way, it is Rasta friendly. I'm not complaining at all...
We did some major shopping on Pier 39 but it was worth it! I now understand the song and phrase "I Left my Heart in San Francisco." LOL, I got Brian to ride the carousel with me.
One great place to eat on the pier is North Beach Pizza. For less than $12 you get an unlimited pizza, soup, salad, and pasta bar. VERY reasonable if you are on a budget!

The last night in San Francisco, we met with Brian's friends from when he lived in Colorado, Leigh and her husband Bryon. They were very nice and they picked a wonderful Italian restaurant on Mission Street.They gave us tips on where to buy real estate and how nice it is to live out on the west coast.

I was so sad to leave San Francisco. Brian and I both were. I also am a big believer in signs and our miserable flight home is a big flashing neon sign that screams we do NOT belong in Chicago. Brian and I seriously did not think that we were going to land safely. It got pretty scary when the flight attendants were told to sit. I hate flying I might add and Brian is worse than I am about being in the air. Luckily, there are little white pills called Xanax in existence....
You know, I could go on and on about SF. I love the cable cars! I love how easy it is to get around the city and how dog friendly it is. I am a huge animal person and my animals should be pampered and treated like royalty.
In fact, I went to a few of the pet boutiques that are all over the city. Oliver, my year old and 20 pound Maine Coon got a new collar with the peace signs all over. He was so proud to wear it, he pranced all over the house like he was the best. He also enjoyed the organic catnip and I had to hide it because the little catnip head is a druggie..hooked on cat nip, poor guy. He needs his fix and is still trying to master opening the drawer where it is at.
The other two cats like it and I think there might be a feline coup d'etat in my future..
Any who, I want to go back to SF and I seriously hope it is where I will be living in a year or so. I know the cost of living is quite higher but even so, it is still better than living here. I think Oliver would enjoy it too...