Start of the Fest
Hi friends! I’m here safe and sound in San Francisco 
Loved reading about your random purse finds in between traveling!
HOLY hills!
and holy shopping…
Our hotel is right in the middle of a shopping mecca. I’m like a little kid at Disneyland
The flights were pretty uneventful. In the first one, I used the middle seat as a cushion for my head since no one was sitting there and curled into a Gina ball, and slumbered, mouth wide open for 3 hours. Seksi, haha.
Then for my second flight from Denver to San Fran, I plane partied with these girls:
Ashley, Laura, Kath and Emily!
We chatted about life, the shenanigans that will be going down this weekend, and boots On the plane, I sat next to two moms who are taking a girls weekend together. Their kids are off in college and they thought they’d leave their husbands in charge and take a trip. They were so much fun and we traded trashy celeb magazines
Now here we are in San Fran! Adventure time.
Food time.
See you soon!
xoxo,
Gina
Any must-sees for this weekend? When was the last time you visited California?
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Fun!!! I want to go to San Fran SOOOOO bad!!! Stuck here on the cold East Coast, bleh 🙁
PS–Alketraz is supposed to be cool…that would be my must see!
**Alkatraz**
I was in San Fran in the 9th grade — so 13 years ago?!?!?! I remember not being able to go to Alcatraz — water was too choppy or something? I just liked being by the ocean!
I hope I am one of those “moms” one day that takes weekend trips when the kids are away at school 🙂
I’ve never been there… I want to go so bad!
My man lives there and it’s sooo beautiful. I was there in March. Go to Dolores Park. Great view of the city!! And pier 39 so you can see the sealions 🙂 Have fun!!
I was just in the San Fran area last January/February. Definitely the Farmer’s Market at the Ferry building! We did lots of stuff outside of the city, but I doubt you’ll be hitting the road at all. Have a great time!
I was just in the San Fran area last January/February. Definitely hit the Farmer’s Market at the Ferry building! We did lots of stuff outside of the city, but I doubt you’ll be hitting the road at all. Have a great time!
Go eat at Mama’s, if you can (I don’t know how well you would do, since I don’t know if it’s gluten free, vegetarian, etc.). It’s in Union Square, I believe, and to die for. Have fun!!
In the middle of a shopping mecca? That sounds like my kind of hotel right there!!!
I hope you have a blast!! 🙂
OH and the last (and only) time I was in Cali was in the 8th grade!
My aunt lives just North of San Fran in Walnut Creek. I LOOOOOVE SF! You’ve gotta go to Alcatraz if you have time. Get the audio tour. Super creepy but a reallyc ool part of history. Though my aunt and I spent time being “Fashion Police” there, as women were getting off the ferry in high heels etc. Not suitable – just an FYI.
The city is lovely – and you MUST MUST MUST hit up Ghiradelli 😀
raw food mexican! http://www.gracias-madre.com/web/index.php Otherwise the Marina District has super cute shops.
yay!! See you tomorrow, can’t wait to meet you!
That is so cute that you traded trashy celeb magazines with the ladies you sat next too. My mom, sis and I always meet at a central hub and trade magazines that we bought at the first half of our journey 🙂
Have fun in San Fran!!!!!! Its so fun that you all were on the same flight!! And i love having fun people to sit next to but most of the time they are pretty sketchy:/
Definitely go to Ghiradelli Square and of course get some chocolate:):) My cousin lived in San Francisco when she got her masters and loved it!
I love trading trashy celeb mags on planes! There is always AT LEAST one person reading them too! 🙂
I live about 45 minutes out of SF! You MUST go to Ocean Beach, it’s so different from the typical beach scene, but gorgeous! And I would definitely say Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, and if you’re in the mood for amazing Italian food, North Beach. Haven’t been anywhere near there since I went GF though. Golden Gate Park is wonderful, as is the De Young Museum!
Golden Gate Park for sure, especially the Japanese Tea Garden. And the Farmer’s Market is fantastic!
Last time I visited Cali was last February. And then I moved here. 🙂 *waves from much closer than usual*
I lived in LA when I was very little, and I’m pretty sure we made a few trips to San Fran. Mainly I just saw it in the opening credits of Full House 🙂
Sounds like a fun start! Have tons of fun!
My big must see is going down to the farmers market on embarcado it is heaven a foodie heaven trust me!
I was in Cali 2 years ago. THe bars in San Fran are fun! 🙂
Fisherman’s wharf, Lombardi street, Ferry building with the cool food stores, driving across Golden Gate bridge…. have fun!
Never been, but I am sure that you will have a blast!
I used to LIVE in SF! siiigh. I miss it.
Wander through China town — it’s pretty close to union square and unlike anything i’ve ever seen. good for touristy souvenirs on the cheap.
MUST SEES : ferry building!!! it’s a good walk from union sq, or you could take the cable car! 🙂
also cross the gg bridge and check out sausalito! OR you could take a ferry from the ferry building, I think. google that sh*t, it would be a beautiful daytime activity. Sausalito is a little slice of heaven, I swear. The marina district has cute boutique-style shopping, and amazing views of the bay, if you don’t make it to sausalito. there’s also a nice park by the foot of the gg bridge, but i am totally blanking on the name.
I also recommend boudin bakery for the best and most famous san francisco sourdough. soup in a bread bowl… nom.
I’m sorry that this message is SO long but i cannot contain myself. have fun!!
Have fun! We’re having beautiful weather out here!! Definitely hit up the shops in Union Square!!! The Nordstroms is amazing with the huge circular escalators! Fisherman’s wharf is fun also!!
My favorite places in San Fran are Fisherman’s Warf to look at the sea lions & shop, Ghiradelli Square, H&M, Urban Outfitters, The Science Museum & The Cheesecake Factory on top of Macy’s (the Macy’s that is in your picture). I live in Sacramento so I’ve been to SF quite a few times and those are my favorite places to go.I know I’m forgetting something, there is just too much to cover! Too bad you guys didn’t get there yesterday or you could have seen the San Francisco Giants World Series Parade, there were hundreds of thousands of people there. Have fun!
Oooh. I live in SF, so if you need any recs, let me know. But yes, definitely hit up the Farmers Market at Embarcadero (Ferry Building) on Saturday morning.
If you go to Golden Gate Park (and you really must!), definitely check out the Conservatory of Flowers. It’s BEAUTIFUL, inside and out.
http://www.conservatoryofflowers.org/
The Japanese tea garden area of GGP is also amazing. Tons of amazing photo opps. Oh, and one tip — GGP is much bigger than you can imagine! Get a map!
When you get back I’ll tell you the story of how Jim wanted to propose to me there but we ended up getting so lost, walked for hours and fought the whole day. Needless to say, he waited until another day!
Have fun!
Awww I am thisclose to moving back. I was there like a month ago before I moved to NY.
FIRST, there is an all vegan restaurant called Millennium Restaurant. It is in the Hotel California. I don’t eat gluten and my boyfriend’s sister is on a really restricted diet and we all found stuff that we loved. It is seriously delicious!
Obviously, the Ferry Building Farmer’s Market. I also really loved the San Francisco Bay Cruise Adventure. I also love the Plant Organic Cafe and Restaurant near the Pier. Oh and Ghirardelli Sqaure for free chocolate samples!
And Ocean Beach, North Beach, the park (it is so big!), Botanical Garden, Tea Garden, museums,maybe Haight, definitely the zoo, the Exploratorium (if you are 8 inside), Civic Center, Embarcadero!
I would avoid cable cars, Lombard, and other overly-touristy places. Pier 39 is fun, though.
Anywayyyy have fun!
Oh, you’ve given me holiday nostalgia! I was in SF in July this year. We spent the 5th of July there and had an awesome picnic: my first experience of the US holiday! It has to be one of my very favourite cities in the world.
Have a brilliant time!
I used to live in the Bay Area and am going to Sausalito for Thanksgiving (boyfriend’s dad live there in the hills!) I would like to add the Marina to the list, specifically Chestnut Street (and up to Union St. via Fillmore). There are so many great shops and boutiques and great places to eat! We go to the Marina to eat at E’Angelo’s (best Italian I’ve had). I also just like to walk around that area and dream of living in one of those gorgeous homes one day;) Have fun!
So fun! Wish I could be there but ah well, Fitbloggin’ is in just a few months. 😀 I was last in California when I was 18, I think. Wow, time flies!
Have fun Gina!
The last time I was in Cali was in 2003. But it was San Diego. I had a blast though! 🙂
Hmm, well I live near SF so I visit all the time 😉
Go to Pomelo to eat.
And also walk through Ghiradelli to get intoxicated on chocolate!
If you get a chance, go to the Legion of Honor and Land’s End for some great Golden Gate picture opportunities. 🙂 I lived in San Francisco for about 5 years, it is an amazing city!! Have fun!
Check out Westfield Center, just a short walk from Union Square! Beautiful time of year in our city!
Hey Gina,
Sorry to go off topic here, but do you have an email?
There’s something that I wanted to show you that I found on another website.
I think someone is using pictures of you for their own profile.
Lol. Sounds odd, but I really think it’s true.
this has happened before…. blah
my email is fitnessista at gmail dot com
If you can, check out the humongo farmers market at the Ferry Building on Saturday.
yay, have fun! 🙂
Oh, and check out Gracias Madre, a vegetarian mexican restaurant on Mission St.
Too bad you’re not in Southern California. I’d pay you to come make dinner at my house (: haha. Last time I was in San Francisco I was 6 weeks old… So I remember nothing.
haha i’d totally do it! 🙂
I love, love, love San Fran!! Have fun!! 😀 As if that’ll be hard. 😉
Never been to California, but I really really want to photograph the Golden Gate Bridge and the rocky shoreline.
I love SF, I lived there for a few months a few years ago and was there last month when my Husband and I missed a flight. It wasn’t so bad having to stay a night in the city!
I think you will love the Marina. Walk down Union Street and Chestnut street, tons of cute shops and cafes. There is a really cute store call Ambiance on Union that I just love!
YAY!!! I’m on the plane right now, can’t wait to get there!! I’ve been to San Fran once before (2008) and I was also in California this summer (LA area) and I just love it so much. It’s my favorite state!! Can’t wait to see you!
The last time I was in California was about 7 years ago. I’ve wanted to go back ever since! Sprinkles cupcakes is a definite place to visit!
This is my very first comment on here!
But I have to say I love your blog I read it every day =]
I live about a two hour drive from San Francisco so I can go there basically anytime I want lol. You should visit Santa Cruz while you’re here! Its absolutely beautiful and a very fun atmosphere. Its really fun to go jogging in the the huge redwood trees here.
thanks so much for saying hi 🙂
i live in california…and the funny thing is i’m going to drive up to san francisco for my birthday weekend. not a blogger, just a reader but i might see some of my favorite bloggers around town – how crazy!
Gina.
Monk’s Kettle in the Mission District. Baked cookie w/ (homemade?) ice cream.
No joke- the best thing you’ll ever have.
Also, Cafe Gratitude. Do it.
I <3 San Fran.
🙂
Yes! Cafe Gratitude!
Have a great time in SF Gina. I’d love to get there one day!
Shopping mecca, yes!!! I love San Fran for that reason, and the restaurants, culture, the consciousness of the people…I would live there…except, for the weather! It’s normally chilllllllly and this former Chicago girl cannot hang w/ cold weather anymore 🙂
Last time I visited CA? I live in San Diego and it’s hot as balls here. Like 95F and HOT!!! I am wondering if it’s much cooler in SF…I need to check the weather.
See you tomorrow!!! Can’t wait to meet you!
🙂