Bucket List Complete
September 2, 2024
Oakland, CA
I cannot believe I was actually able to do this!
Morning
We had a more casual morning in the hotel and were able to eat some of the remainder of our Bob's Donuts. We then went to the Muni Bus stop just outside our hotel and rode the bus 14 stops to Baker Beach on the far southwest side of San Francisco proper. TIP- I found this attraction in 2021 and it did not disappoint so I wanted to share this with Allison.
Once off the bus, we still had to walk about 1/2 mile to get to the actual beach but it was not a terrible walk, albeit there were a few surprises along the way.
We are ready for the day!
Once at Baker Beach, the fog and sun provided the most glorious view of the Golden Gate Bridge. It was not at all crowded on Memorial Day Monday and we had the beach all to ourselves as we walked up and down the beach just admiring the view of the Golden Gate Bridge. TIP- Be careful how far down you walk, there is a "clothing optional" area of this beach; although both visits, we never saw anyone not wearing clothes.
We have arrived at Baker Beach!
And this was our first view... EPIC!
The fog just made the whole ordeal SO COOL!
I love San Francisco!
Sisters in San Francisco!
The waters at this beach are FREEZING but so gorgeous!
THANK YOU ALLIE!!! Best Sister Trip EVER!
Seems as if it is in a movie or a postcard!
I LOVE this beach and highly recommend!
After taking in the gorgeous views at Baker Beach, we made our way by bus to the Painted Ladies in central San Francisco. The Painted Ladies are a set of old townhomes that are similar to the townhome used in the 1980s sitcom Full House. In fact, this row of townhomes is featured in the opening credits of Full House. Once at the Painted Ladies we got some great pictures of these homes and of downtown San Francisco and was even able to get some coffee from a local food truck.
Hello from the Painted Ladies!
Coffee, sunshine and the Painted Ladies- it's perfect!
Sisters in San Francisco
After the Painted Ladies we were ahead of "schedule" (I am Danny Tanner, remember) so we decided to get an Uber to take us to the actual Full House townhome about 1 mile away. This was SO COOL and we were not the only one who wanted to see this up close and person. In fact, the sign on the gate made it seem this is a daily occurrence for the 80s sitcom fans! I really enjoyed this pit stop.
The REAL Full House townhome!
This was SO COOL!
Hello- I grew up in the late 80s/ early 90s!
One of the most unique stops of the trip!
Now we were starting to get hungry to we took the Muni Bus back to Fisherman's Warf and found Nick's Lighthouse Seafood right on the Warf. I had read about this place and wanted to try their fresh clam chowder in a bread bowl... It was SO GOOD and it really hit the spot.
This makes my mouth water just looking at it... It was incredible!
On the EAST Fisherman's Warf area near Boudin Bakery!
Afternoon
After lunch we walked around the east end of Fisherman's Warf and down towards Pier 39. We did some shopping at a few local boutiques as well as some vendors on the street before arriving at Pier 39. TIP- Pier 39 is a large area of shops, stores and restaurants but more widely known for the massive amount of sealions that live on the actual pier throughout the year. The last time I visited San Francisco is was mid-summer and there were only a handful of sealions. This time, there were dozens, maybe hundreds and it was SO COOL!
Alcatraz Island from Pier 39!
LOVE THIS
The Ferris Wheel is new since 2021- I saw it on Groupon for cheap!
This was a really cool experience for both of us as there were WAY MORE sea lions than either of us saw the previous trips!
One last look at Pier 39!
Now it was time for the day's main event- The Oakland Coliseum. We made our way to the subway that would take us under the bay over to Oakland. TIP- Do all your transportation research ahead of time and purchase the "Clipper Card" to pay for all your fares prior to your trip arrival as it is good for 30 days. I actually did read this and planned on it but never did and this was a mistake. We ended up missing one of the trains that would take us to Oakland but we still managed to get to the Coliseum prior to the gates opening.
Once we stepped foot out of the subway train and on the bridge that would take us to the Coliseum, I just started crying. It is really happening- after all this time! I leisurely took my time getting to the gate to get inside and we even met some fellow chasers.
I have arrived... Let the party commence!
This is how I picture the Coliseum as a kid watching baseball in the den with my dad!
It was SO COOL to meet fellow chasers.
Mr. Johnson, I wish you well in your completion!
Once inside, it was CRAZY busy! In fact, we were both SHOCKED at how many people were actually at this game. It was the next-to-last homestand in the Oakland Coliseum EVER and it was PACKED! We meandered all around the lower deck getting some snacks and drinks and had full intensions to go to our upper level seats for the game (Even with this being #30, I wasn't going to pay $100+ for a ticket in the lower section IN OAKLAND. All chasers know that of all the stadiums, this is one you can move lower in.) This paid off big time as I went to get my commemorative certificate highlighting my attendance and a manager, James, overheard me talking to a work and offered to upgrade our seats to the 3rd base lower section on row 15.
Even with the terrible owner and the team moving, they did really well with keeping the stadium fairly clean and picture worthy!
BEST SISTER EVER!
This is my moment...
The certificate I received on the lower deck where we then met James!
More pictures with my sign!
The "Philly Dog" I ordered via the app in the 7th inning!
James completely turned this already awesome day into a memories I will now share with my grandkids. Allison and I were able to sit in these seats the ENTIRE game and enjoyed seeing the whole ordeal from seats that would normally cost $100-150. Thank you JAMES!
James- we will NEVER forget you!
The game was pretty exciting to see as the Athletics themselves are TERRRIBLE, the Oakland fans are just straight up pissed about the move and we were amongst MANY Seattle Mariners fans! It was the most fun game I have been to in a WHILE. During the 6th inning, I was able to look on the screen and see a PERSONAL message from my parents and sister congratulating me on the completion of my chase. THIS WAS THE COOLEST THING EVER!
Evening
After the game we made our way out of the stadium and over the bridge back to the BART where one of Allison's friends from college would meet us and take us out to dinner in a nicer area of Oakland. This was so cool to see the very trashy and dirty side of Oakland immediately followed by a MUCH NICER area.
Once done with dinner, Allie's friend dropped us off at the 12th Oakland BART station where we would take the subway back into San Francisco to get to our hotel. The BART station in Oakland was not bad... The subway station it dropped us off at in San Francisco ( Powell Street Station), OH LORD! It was a full of CRAZIES and all kinds of riff-raff! We ended up calling an Uber as neither of us felt safe. This was the one and only time we felt this way but it was BAD!
Once we got dropped off at the hotel we relaxed in the hotel lobby bar and then called it a night around 11PM as we knew the next day was going to be LONG!
UP NEXT... Driving the Pacific Coast Highway 1!
God is Good... ALL THE TIME!
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