One of my favorite destinations in the world is San Francisco. It is a fun and vibrant city with liberal views and beautiful structures. The people are “real” and their city is an amazing place to explore. I have spent a good amount of time visiting San Francisco having been fortunate enough to live on the East Bay of San Francisco for a short time in my mid-20’s. Additionally, I spent a good amount time working in “the City”, as it was a popular starting point for California tours that I lead when I worked as a tour guide. The last two times I have been to San Francisco I have flown up North alone spending quality time recharging with friends who live locally. Today I would like to tell you about my last visit there in 2019.
My annual girls’ trip began as I landed at Oakland International Airport in late June. Upon arrival I hopped on a BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) train and crossed the bay to San Francisco. I hopped off at Powell Station, dropped my bag at the Handlery Union Square Hotel in downtown San Francisco and went for lunch at Bun Mee on Market Street with one of my girlfriends.
Goodbye LA!!
Time to Catch a BART Train
Lunch at Bun Mee
Statues on Market Street
We stopped at Union Square after lunch and took a few photos before meeting our other friends at the hotel. By chance our trip coincided with the culmination of Pride Week in San Francisco and there were rainbows everywhere! For those not familiar with Pride festivities, Wikipedia describes Pride Events as a time where there are many outdoor events celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary and queer social and self-acceptance, achievements, legal rights, and pride.
Neimen Marcus, Union Square
Union Square
At the hotel we caught up, drank and prepared for the walk South of Market to Oracle Park where we would watch the Giants play baseball. This trip to San Francisco was my first time away from my kids since my separation earlier that spring. Spending quality time with my girlfriends was the best medicine I could receive. To my surprise, one of my girlfriends gave me a fun little gift to remember our weekend trip. I keep that memento on my kitchen table to this day! It reminds me to keep things light when I can and it also makes me think of this fun trip with the girls; good friends always have your back.
A Fun Little Gift!
That evening I especially enjoyed the walk to the stadium to watch the baseball game because: one, I was spending quality time with the friends while seeing the sights South of Market by foot, and two, I did not have to be the person responsible for navigating us to our final destination. For the record, I am that person who usually is in charge of finding the way everywhere. Walking from Union Square to Oracle Park is something I could definitely do without a map, but I cannot say that I would take the quickest route there. Arriving to the stadium we found our seats in the club level and I enjoyed watching the game while socializing, eating and drinking. I had a fun evening.
Fun at the San Francisco Giants Game
Saturday morning, we enjoyed walking around town participating in the festivities of Pride Week. Our path lead us to Market Street, through the Tenderloin and to over to the Civic Center, which is where the majority of the events were taking place that day.
San Francisco Pride
Eventually we made our way back to the hotel for a break and drinks before heading to Japantown, located in the Western Addition, for lunch at Kushi Tsuru in the Japan Center, West Mall. For my meal I ate a yummy bento box.
Japantown Visit
Back at the hotel we took another break before heading to the Mission District. There was a Pride parade on the street, so our Uber driver dropped us off a few blocks from the Spanish restaurant where we had a reservation. It is called Picaro. I am a big fan of paella and looked forward to the meal with my friends. For our dinner reservation we were joined by three others who lived locally in the area. It was fun to add to our group for the evening’s festivities.
Champagne Time at the Hotel
A Demonstration Parade in the Mission District
Dinner at Picaro
Our evening continued with a visit to a karaoke bar and more drinks! As a single parent, I am usually in bed by 10:00pm. To say the least that was not the case that evening; I somehow stayed out past midnight.
A Night Out in San Francisco
In the morning I ate breakfast with one of my friends prior to spending the day visiting more touristy areas by myself. I walked through Union Square and took a long walk to Pier 39 across many, many hills. I enjoyed my time crossing North Beach (the Italian section of town) making my way to the edge of town.
Union Square
I Walked This Hill!
North Beach
The Famous Fisherman’s Wharf Sign
Pier 39
I had an evening flight back to Los Angeles, so I opted to take the bus back to Union Square instead of walking to the other side of town. The bus route was altered due to the big Pride parade about to start on Market Street. The bus passed the gates of Chinatown and I snapped a quick photo. I quickly picked up my bags from the hotel, made my way to Market Street, and saw the huge parade in front of me as I made my way underground to the BART and Oakland. That girls’ weekend was to be my last for some time due to Covid, but it sure was a lot of fun being with my girlfriends in the amazing city of San Francisco.
I Was Too Tired to Walk Back to Union Square
Grant Street, Gate to Chinatown
The Pride Parade on Market Street
Heading Home
Living and Dreaming in the South Bay 