This is 42!
September 4, 2024
San Francisco to Dallas
I seriously LOVE being on a trip on my BIRTHDAY!
Morning
We woke up to a very heavy FOG view from our hotel room. We could barely see anything and all I could think of was "Thank God we didn't have this fog when we were driving the PCH or at Baker Beach to see the Golden Gate Bridge". I was also very grateful we had a later afternoon flight and didn't have to deal with all this fog trying to fly out of San Francisco.
Our flight was not until 4PM so we had plenty of time to make it a casual morning and prepare for our flight home. We got ready for the day and then we got on a Cable Car right outside our hotel and went down the steepest street in San Francisco to get to our Brunch restaurant, Sears Finer Foods. Allison LOVES brunch and it is sort of her thing so I decided what better way to spend out last day and my BIRTHDAY than eating brunch with her!
I loved riding these cable cars everywhere in San Francisco!
The fog was lifting and it was going to be a beautiful day!
This is 42!
Once we got to Sears Finer Foods, we got seated right away and were able to review the menu before making our selections. This restaurant was known for it's silver dollar pancakes and Allison got those while I went way out in left field and tried a shrimp omelet. I now know I do not like seafood for breakfast; the omelet was good but just not my cup of tea. The pancakes that came with the omelet were phenomenal and just what I would have expected for a fancy brunch restaurant such as this!
Sears Finer Foods on Powell Street!
(Very extensive and offered something for EVERYONE!)
My Shrimp Omelet and (MASSIVE) Pancake!
After brunch, we took the Cable Car back UP that crazy steep hill all the way to the end of it's tracks in Ghirardelli Square. We got off in Fisherman's Warf and walked around a bit enjoying our last views of San Francisco before going inside the Ghirardelli Store to get some souvenirs and a classic Hot Chocolate for Allie.
A view from the back of a Cable Car looking back at Powell Street.
I would NEVER want to walk that... either way!
The gas in San Francisco (September 4, 2024)
GOD BLESS TEXAS!
One last fling in Fisherman's Warf!
Afternoon
After our souvenir shopping and last minute pictures, we boarded the same Cable Car back to our hotel in Nob Hill where we would pack up and then walk to Philz Coffee about 7 blocks from our hotel. TIP- Philz Coffee was introduced to Chris and I in 2021 from his sister, D'Ann, who has been to San Francisco many times. It has to be the BEST COFFEE we have ever had! When on the West Coast, be sure to find a Philz Coffee Location! It truly is the best!
I am so very glad we got to ride the Cable Cars!
This was such a cool experience!
A view of Alcatraz from the Powell Street Cable Car as we boarded in Fisherman's Warf!
Coit Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge as we passed by on the Cable Car!
Philz Coffee near Lombard Street
Best cup of coffee I've ever had!
After our coffee stop, it was officially time to end our trip and we grabbed our luggage and checked out of the hotel. We grabbed an UBER to the BART Station in Union Square, where we would take the BART to Oakland Airport. TIP- I mentioned before the various airports in the San Francisco metro area but be sure to check for the lowest prices. We flew into San Jose and out of Oakland as this was the cheapest. Oakland airport is accessible by an extension of the BART track in Oakland. We saved about $72/ person by flying out of Oakland and not a round trip out of San Jose. I have also found in my research that San Francisco airport typically is the most expensive of them all and is still 15 or so miles from the actual downtown San Francisco.
A final view from our hotel room... What a gorgeous day in the Bay!
Union Street BART station... It was BUSY as we were arriving and having to haul our luggage from the street down the escalator to the BART station! (This was not an issue but I am not sure I would do this with kids or "a lot" of luggage!)
I loved getting to pass back by the Oakland Coliseum one last time on our way to the Oakland Airport. She is the reason I came and it was nice to have a little closure; not just for the trip but for my entire Bucket List competition.
One last final look at the Coliseum- MLB's last DIVE BAR!
This will always hold a special place in my heart!
PEACE OUT OAKLAND- It's been REAL!
Once inside the Oakland Airport we walked far from our gate to find a location with a plug in and then sat and chilled waiting for our 4:45PM flight but I was able to get a full battery in the meantime which is great since Southwest does not offer plugs for devices.
Evening
We had to travel around a rain storm so we were delayed a bit getting back to Dallas but we touched down in God's Country around 9:15PM central time. We were able to get all of our stuff and get back to the car in minimal time and then I was able to get Allie back to her apartment in North Dallas shortly after 10PM.
I had earned birthday points with Hilton and was able to use them on a FREE Embassy Suites room near the Galleria in Dallas. This was nice as I did not want to make the 3 hour drive home at 10PM but I also did not want to bombard Allison as she was arriving back to her apartment and going back to work the next day. I was able to spend my birthday night in a hotel room by myself in peace and quite (no kids or husband, or puppy). This truly was the BEST GIFT EVER!
I woke up the next morning and got out of town quickly to get home to my family. It is always nice to go on vacation but in my old age, I love coming home as well! But it was back into the swing of things REAL QUICK as Natalie had a THURSDAY NIGHT Football Game and was marching at halftime. No rest for the weary!
This was one of the BEST BIRTHDAYS EVER and this trip was nothing short of AMAZING! Thank you so much Allison for offering to go with me. This was so very special and I hope I can return the favor in 2025- #NYCforAllie
UP NEXT- Anthem of the Seas
ALASKA with the kids (Summer 2025)
God is Good... ALL THE TIME!
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