The view of Lake Tahoe from our room at the HardRock.
Chris woke up at 9:15AM and we got our bags ready to check out and head back towards San Francisco. As I went to check out, I talked to the manager on duty about the issues in our room. We had already told the housekeeping about the broken curtain and I had called the front desk asking if ALL rooms had central heat/air. I was not looking for any handouts but I wanted them to make this well known on their website before people book. The manager took off the resort fees ($28 per night) and the local taxes from our bill. This took $67 off our bill and that was a very nice gesture. It won't make up for 2 sleepless nights in a hot room but I do appreciate their good customer service in response to an issue.
We were on the road and headed west by 9:45AM but unfortunately, there was construction on the main road out of South Lake Tahoe. We made it to Highway 50 outside of town shortly after 10AM. This was a curvy 2 lane mountainous road and Chris was making this white knuckle drive. This turned out to be a fairly easy mountainous drive going westward. However, I can see why the eastbound drive would be a little more stressful as it was descending into the Lake Tahoe area. It took us about 80 minutes to get to the Placerville, CA where the highway became a 4 lane road. We took the drive slow and steady and again, it was not near as bad as we thought.
This was just a small portion of our drive! SO PRETTY... But a little stressful!
One of our last views of the Lake. Goodbye Lake Tahoe... It's been AMAZING!
Gas prices in Lake Tahoe... FILL UP ELSEWHERE!
Leaving the Tahoe Basin National Forest.
Another view of our next few hours!
We stopped in Placerville, CA to get lunch. We saw a great strip mall area that had several local lunch fares. We tried Palo Tacos but unfortunately they were not open (it was not quite noon). The rest of the local restaurants in the area didn't open until 12PM or 1PM so we just ate at Taco Bell (enter sigh and eyeroll by me). It was quick and easy so that was a good thing, I guess.
As we continued west, we saw a sign for California Welcome Center and decided to stop in hopes of a BIG sign for California. I guess this only exists in my mind because we could not find the sign I was looking for. But a very nice and friendly California welcome host let us take the California flag outside for Chris to pose in front of. Thank you ma'am! And Welcome to California Chris!
This was the best we could get... But how unique is this!
Almost home...
Our traveling on the Bay Bridge (westbound).
Funny story- We were such a weird couple when it came to driving this trip. Recently Chris got stuck on a HUGE overpass in Houston during a pouring rain storm and has been a little anxious driving in big mix-masters. I cannot drive in the mountains, as I just do not know how. And then you add the stop and go on 45* angles on small streets and I was a hot mess. I guess we were the perfect mix since whatever one couldn't do, the other could but it made for some crazy afternoons of driving!
We went straight to our hotel in Chinatown, even though it was only 2:45PM and check in was not until 4PM. We were able to get checked in and get into our room before 3PM. TIP- This hotel was OUTSTANDING. The Hilton San Francisco Financial District sits on the edge of the financial district and Chinatown. It was one that was $275-350 a night every time I looked to book and then all of the sudden it was available on a Wednesday night for $178. I jumped all over this and I am so glad I did. It was a gorgeous room overlooking the bay and it blew out COLD air. It had garage parking available but it was an additional $52 (including tax). It was in a safe area and we were able to walk all over Chinatown and the financial district (even near Union Square). I would HIGHLY recommend this hotel, if you can find a deal.
A view from our room (#705).
A view of San Francisco and the bay from our hotel room.
We really enjoyed this room.
A view of the outside of the Hilton San Francisco Financial District.
Once we got our stuff in and settled, we ventured out in Chinatown. This hotel was perfectly placed to see ALL of Chinatown and the financial district. We walked all along Grant Street in Chinatown and towards the Dragon Gate. This reminded me so much of NYC Chinatown but it was less crowded and busy. Although that could have been because of the pandemic. We saw many places open but there were still some stores and restaurants that had gates over them and were still closed. We got some great souvenirs and then went to a few Starbucks looking for a San Francisco "Been There" cup. TIP- Starbucks does not offer a San Francisco "Been There" mug; just a Los Angeles and California.
I seriously loved this Chinatown!
Insiders Info- This is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia.
Another Bucket List check off!
Portsmith Square in front of our hotel.
There were a bit of homeless people starting to gather as the evening arrived.
We then went back to our hotel in hopes of a Happy Hour offered at the bar. This Hilton did not offer a Happy Hour but did have a $6 House wine. I was a little apprehensive but this turned out to be a decent house wine for only $6. We had a few glasses and then decided to go get dinner in Chinatown.
Pinot Noir... Not too shabby!
The House of Nanking menus
Just go... TRUST ME!
The waiter first brought us "Egg Pillows". This was a weird mix of an egg roll with small pasta inside but it was the most delectable and flavorful egg roll I have EVER had.
The "Egg Pillows"
Then the waiter brought us what we later found out were called "Pork Buns". These were pillows of cloud-like bread filled with pork and an amazing mustard sauce. At first, I was put off just by the look of these but they were so tasty.
The "Pork Buns"
This was follow up by "Chicken and Shrimp Fried Rice". Except this was not a normal fried rice. This was served on a hot skillet type of a plate. The rice was in the center and the waiter brought out a cup of eggs. He then poured the eggs on the outer circumference of the plate and it cooked the eggs. This 2 minutes show was finished when the eggs were cooked and the waiter mixed it all together. I felt like I was at Benihana in the middle of Chinatown! Now the taste... HOLY MOLY! This was the best fried rice I have EVER had! It was absolutely phenomenal.
This was just incredible!
Hand prepared right in front of us.
The show was great but the food was PHENOMENAL!
The meal was complete with the main dish of "Mogu Shrimp". This was a dish made with HUGE shrimp and oddly enough, cauliflower that had a sweet and delicious honey mustard type of a sauce. It is not something I would order after reading it on the menu but this, once again, was one of the best Chinese food dishes I have had. We were so full but both wanted to order more. We refrained... but in writing this my mouth is water and wish we would have!
The "Mogu Shrimp".
I have no idea what is was about this dish that we liked so much but it was INCREDIBLE!
Overall, this restaurant was AMAZING and we almost immediately both said as we walked out "When we come back to San Francisco, we WILL COME BACK". Despite not knowing what we were ordering as the waitress took care of us, we had an $80 bill when tip was included. This is fairly high for Chinatown but now we know why the House of Nanking was continuously voted as one of the best in Chinatown. TIP- Do yourself and favor and go eat here! You will not be disappointed.
Our bill and ticket from House of Nanking!
We loved this place so much!
After dinner we walked around the northern side of Chinatown and found the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie store in the middle of a back alley. This, too, was something I researched and wanted to go see. It was hard to believe this was in an alley but they made it work. They offered hot and fresh cookies right off the press and they were delicious. We bought a half dozen of specialized fortune cookies dipped in chocolate and they did not disappoint. They were so delicate and tasty! TIP- This is completely free, even if you do not buy anything, and fairly easy to find. This would be a real hit with the kids, for sure! Be sure to check it out if in Chinatown.
I cannot believe this place is in an alley.
These workers were working so hard and still took time to answer my questions and give us a cookie!
My fortune from the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Company... A Girl can hope!
This is just a sample of this store! Be sure to check it out when in SF Chinatown!
We went back to the hotel to drop off our after dinner purchases and enjoy the "Cloud room" in the hotel. This room had a HUGE TV screen made up of about 20 large TVs that was showing an MLB game at the time. This allowed us time for our food to settle before we went back out again. TIP- The convenience of this hotel really made me feel like I was on a cruise ship. Go to dinner- then go to the room- the go to the bar- then go back out. This is what I was longing for in this trip!
Another view of the location of our hotel! ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!
The "Cloud Room" with floor to ceiling TVs! I just wish something other than NBA was playing!
As the evening was progressing we decided to go to bar in Chinatown that was featured many times on both the Food Network and the Travel Network. LiPo Cocktail Bar was about 1.5 blocks away from our hotel and was known for their Chinese Mai Tai. We sat down ordered their specialty and it was indeed a specialty. As Joey on Friend's would say "I would walk back to San Francisco for another one of these". It was delicious. We sat at this bar for about 2 hours, ordering a few rounds of drinks before going back to our hotel.
These were SO GOOD (loaded too) and only $11. We were SHOCKED it was so cheap!
The Chinese Mai Tai... SO GOOD!
Living the dream.. Traveling the world!
A free drink from the bartended when we told him he didn't charge us enough!
We were just trying to be honest!
This is a real winner... Check it out!
It was still only 10PM so we walked around hotel and landed in the lounge just relaxing the night away. Eventually we called it a night and went back to our room to enjoy the cool breeze and cold air in our room. It was such a change from the night before.
Walking back to the hotel we saw homeless people sleeping on the street.
The Transamerica Building... I REALLY wish this was open to tour and go into!
I LOVE Skyscrapers!
This cracked me up a bit... Found on a store in Chinatown on our way back to the hotel!
This was such a unique day and we really enjoyed getting to experience the FAR EAST while being far west from our home!
UP NEXT... Our last day in the Bay Area.
Thanks for following along! We appreciate your support!
God is good... ALL THE TIME!
DID YOU MISS A DAY? Get caught up below:
Do You Know the Way to San Jose- Day 1
Redwoods and Wine Country- Day 2
And Then There Were Four- Day 3
We're Going Vertical, Mav- Day 5
Deep in the Heart of Texas; San Antonio- July 2015
