Travel: The San Francisco Trip You Have To Take

I love the west coast and I state that in pretty much every post on VE. But San Francisco is seriously one of my favorite cities, after LA of course. So when our news girl, Lori, invited me to join her there on a work trip during Super Bowl week, I couldn’t refuse.

TRAVEL TIP FROM JESSICA: Always accept the invitation to travel, no matter how last minute it is. Unless you are pregnant and about to give birth or you will get fired for taking any more vacation time, always say yes. It will be an adventure and adventures are always a good decision.

Vibe: SF has all the good vibes: crystal blue skies, crashing oceans, and excellent seafood. Not to mention an overwhelming amount of attractive, successful men who work in tech and—because it was Super Bowl week—sports. These men are also usually very well dressed. Single girl’s paradise, SIGH.

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The weather this time of year is a little chilly and you may see a lot of fog, so travel during summer and fall months for ideal temperatures and clear skies. The weather on any given day can change dramatically from morning to night, so pack layers if you are on the go.

Food and Libations: The cuisine in SF is spectacular. Take advantage of the great food every meal you can. Meals are definitely pricier, as this city is one of the most expensive in the US, so plan accordingly. Lori and I discovered a trendy Mexican-seafood restaurant called Cala and dined tapas-style with friends. Definitely try the trout tostada and yellowfin ceviche, washed down with a classic mezcal margarita. We continued the night, despite our better judgement, with a nightcap at the Burritt Room and Tavern, a hidden speakeasy bar upstairs in the Mystic Hotel. Another great gem is the bar inside Hotel Zelos appropriately called Dirty Habit, known for its crafted cocktails and rooftop atmosphere.

Do: This was my third visit to the Bay area and Alcatraz was at the top of my to-do list. It only costs $31 to hop on a ferry at Pier 33 with Alcatraz Cruises and spend a couple hours listening to the cell-house recordings. Take a tour of the building that housed some of America’s most dangerous criminals and be sure to stand inside a cell to imagine their day-to-day existence. And, of course, take a photo 😉

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A local friend convinced us to visit Sausalito one afternoon. If you are staying in downtown San Francisco, skip the Uber ride and take a ferry from Pier 41. Get a front row seat for the famous barking sea lions while drinking a Corona with the wind in your face! This also gives the most amazing view of SF right before sunset. We ended the day with the best $36 crab roll I have ever had at Fish and and a glass of wine on the water at Barrel House Tavern.

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If you want to take photos of the Golden Gate bridge like this, and why wouldn’t you, take a sunset drive through the Marin Headlands.

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Lastly, if you have the chance to do something nerdy like visit the Twitter headquarters, do it! Lori and I spent some time working from the art-deco building located in the somewhat sketchy Tenderloin district. The hallways were decorated to look like bird’s nests, and everything is labeled with a #hashtag. twit1

As a female traveler, I would advise you not to walk around at night by yourself in most neighborhoods. But if you do find yourself in that situation, singing these lyrics will get you through it:

When you’re lost out there and you’re all alone,

A light is waiting… to carry you hoooome…

Everywhere you look.”

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Oh and happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! Have mercy!

-Jessica

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