We arrived home this morning at about 1 am after almost a week in San Francisco. First, I have to mention our flights out and back. Last Saturday morning we’re in the plane on the runway for takeoff and the pilot drives back to where we boarded and tells us that on the way to the runway he accidentally drove through a snow pile and just wants to make sure everything is okay. And then 10 minutes later comes back and tells us he’s completely ruined the engine and they’ll have to find us another plane. Seriously, shouldn’t a 737 be able to handle a little snow? We switched planes and it was all good. Then on the way back we were in the plane and a light came on, didn’t come on, whatever, and we had to get off the plane and wait. And wait. Four hours later we were good to go. During that time we were able to meet a wonderful family Noel and Maura and their two kids Will and Ellie. They made the wait easier to take. So my advice? If you need to get someplace on time don’t fly with us!
We stayed at The Palace downtown…
Jason’s conference was being held here and it is beautiful hotel. Our taxi driver from the airport told us that we came just in time for the Chinese New Year parade that evening. This is second only to the one in China (so the local news told us) and lasted a long time. I can’t remember the last time I saw a parade…
We took the required trip to Alcatraz and learned so much about it’s history. I didn’t know (or remember) that it had only been in use as a prison for 30 years.
The ferry ride there was only 10 minutes and provided some lovely views of the city.
I had my fish ‘n chips at Fisherman’s Wharf, hiked up the hill to Coit Tower, overworked my short legs through the hills od Nob Hill & Russian Hill, saw the famous painted houses and spent quite a bit of time in Chinatown. I went to the Fortune Cookie Factory where I saw the women making the fortune cookies and had some fresh off the line. I love fortune cookies so I brought a big bag home.
I spent Monday at Golden Gate Park and my favorite place on this trip was there. I loved the Japanese Tea Garden. It is peaceful and beautiful and I could have spent all day there with my camera and book.
There was a wonderful tea house near the entrance where I stopped on my way out for a nice cup of jasmine tea.
So, there you have it. A wonderful week in beautiful San Francisco. I was unconnected all week long. Not one email or blog or website. I’m feeling refreshed. Even if I am looking outside my window at huge mounds of snow.
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I’m so jealous! Looks like you had a wonderful time and I loved the pictures! thanks for sharing your vacation.
That looks like a fantastic trip! What a beautiful hotel lobby. I love the picture of you and Jason on the ferry.
Stacy, I missed you this week, but it looks like you had a wonderful trip. Well, except for the planes, but aren’t you glad the pilots decided to check things out. 🙂 Glad that you feel refreshed. That’s worth a lot.
It’s a great city and I enjoyed the sun!
Great pictures! San Francisco looks beautiful. Sounds like you enjoyed it and it’s neat that you were there for a parade too.
Looks like you had a great time. Love the pic of you and Jason! I’m glad you feel refreshed. What a nice getaway.
What wonderful pictures! It was great to go along with you vicariously!
San Francisco is one of my favorite cities ever. My aunt lives there and I have visited 3 times – it is just such a beautiful city! I’m glad you had such a good time on your trip there.
I wish we has friends or family who lived there so we’d have an excuse to visit more often 🙂
Wow! What an ordeal! We’ve had flights like that! Really? He ruined the engine? That must be about a gazillion dollars to replace or repair! Wouldn’t want to be in that pilot error review meeting with him!
Isn’t San Fran wonderful?!! I had such a wonderful time there with an old H.S. friend. Your pictures are great and you both look really happy!
I felt bad for the pilot. When we switched planes we switched to larger plane (more $ to to fly) so we had to have another flight attendant (more $) and the new plane had to be deiced (even more $). I imagine he got into a bit of trouble!
Love the photos! I particularly like the colorful dragon at the parade. I also like the picture of you and Jason. 😀
We’ve had bad luck with our last few flights, too… so frustrating. The pictures are wonderful. Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
I’ve only been twice, but I adore San Fran. Yay for the Japanese Tea Garden!
I love that Tea Garden and was sad that Jason didn’t get to see it too.
What a great trip! I love the Bay Area, I used to live on Berkeley/Oakland side. Wonderful photos, I like the one of the fortune cookies. I immediately thought of the part in The Joy Luck Club, where 2 of moms meet while working. Happy to have you back, but I’m glad you were able to get away.
When I visited in 1994 we were visiting friends who were in Berkeley, so I did get to see that area on my last trip. I’ve got two books to review and then The Joy Luck Club is next. San Fran inspired me 🙂
Sounds like an awesome trip! How cool to get to see the Chinese New Year! And it does concern me that a big old airplane could get its engine ruined by running into a pile of snow. But I guess better safe than sorry!
Glad your vacation was so wonderful!
The parade was fun and it lasted all night! I guess the snow pile had ice in it (stupid Cleveland) and the ice ruined the blades in the engine. Who knew?!
Stacy,
I loved all of the photos that you included and it sounds like you and your hubby had a wonderful week!! I’m glad that the weather was nice and especially that you caught the Chinese New Year parade!!! I would love to visit San Fran in the future!
It’s a fun city. Hope you get there someday 🙂
It sounds like you had a wonderful time, Stacy. I love San Francisco.
Stacy – you continue to convince me that we were separated at birth – we visited most all of those exact same places on our visits to SF many years ago – except we hit Amoeba Music record store instead of the fortune cookie place :0) Oh – and of course we saw a Giants game – but you missed baseball season – such an awesome park with tremendous views.
I’m a 49’ers fan from way back and would have loved to have seen a Niners game. And I do think we were separated at birth 🙂
What a lovely trip and that is such a great picture of the two of you! I also hiked to Coit tower and it was so worth it. When the sidewalks have steps cut into them, that should be the first sign you are not supposed to be walking 🙂
Glad you had such agreat time, aside form the airplanes.
On our way up there we were following a woman who was wearing at least 4 inch heels. I told myself if she could do it I could too 🙂
Beautiful! Sounds as though you had a wonderful time…after the flight. I think I could stay in that Japanese garden forever.
I found another tea house downtown that I went to often since it was only a few blocks from our hotel. They love their tea there.
Thanks for sharing, Stacy! Looks like you all had a wonderful time! I love the garden! 🙂
It sounds like you enjoyed yourself – after the false starts! I am completely jealous you stayed at the Palace. I’ve only ever had Saturday tea there and I must agree it is a very beautiful hotel.
I was sad that I missed the Saturday tea! We got there too late. It’s a very nice hotel – even nicer if someone else is paying for it 🙂
I’m glad you had such a great time. Thanks for sharing the pictures.
I’m so glad you had such a refreshing week away from your normal life. San Francisco is one of the best places to do that. Your pictures are sure good.
Oh Stacy … I wanted to stroll through that beautiful garden! I’m glad you had such a nice vacation … great pics!
Aren’t you sweet for stoping by! Hope life is bringing you nothing but blessings.
It sounds like you had a fabulous trip Stacy! The pictures are gorgeous, love the one of you and Jason. We missed the Japanese gardens, it looks beautiful. Let’s try to schedule a time to meet for coffee soon!
What a wonderful week! Did you get to eat some Boulin sourdough?