I left my heart...

Thursday evening after work, Robby and I quickly packed up and headed to San Francisco to visit Chels and Roger. We had an amazing time. I think this is the best San Francisco trip we've experienced yet. Things just worked out - an amazing apartment to stay at for FREE, great parking, gorgeous weather, coincidental back routes that saved us tons of time. It was fantastic.

Chels has a good friend who graciously offered her apartment while she and her husband were traveling. This place was fabulous with an incredible view. Robby and I were able to stay there for two nights, and both nights the four of us hung out talking, eating, and playing games. It felt like we really lived there, and Chels and Roger were visiting us! Except for the fact that they brought over the snacks :)

What a view! You can see the Bay Bridge across the way.
At night, we experienced the Bay Lights! 

Friday morning Robby and I lounged and grabbed coffee together, then headed over to Tony's Pizza in North Beach while we waited for Chels to get off work. Once we collected Chels (Roger was still working), we detoured at a great consignment shop where Chels bought me boots with her credit, then headed to the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. This was beautiful, although it was more tropical than local as far as the plants went. We were pretty amazed by the collection of carnivorous plants!

We drove around the park, making a stop to see the tulip garden and windmill, then ventured over to the incredible Land's End. We made a specific stop at the Giant Camera next to the Cliff House. We're not exactly sure what we expected, but what we got was quite the disappointment! Still, as disappointments sometimes go, we had a great laugh about it, and couldn't dwell on the failure of the Giant Camera too long when we headed back out to views as these:

Our final stop that evening was the famed Food Trucks at Fort Mason. This was such a blast! Dozens of gourmet food trucks fill a parking lot decked out with seating, lights, and a live DJ. It was hard to choose from the many great looking meals, but among the four of us, we tried a pork (us) and tofu (them) sandwich from The Chairman, Japanese rice balls and a noodle soup from Onigilly, a fish taco from The Taco Guys, a handcrafted popsicle from Fat Face, an empanada, a chocolate taco, and pierogis. It was so much fun!

The next morning, we joined Chels and Roger for coffee at their place, then split off boys and girls. Robby and Roger went for a bike ride, riding over the bridge and up to an amazing viewpoint, and Chels and I went to Muir Woods for a short and easy hike.

The four of us reconvened in Saucalito and had lunch at a place called The Fish. It was quite the wait, but the fish and chips I had were the best I've ever eaten! Seriously amazing. Everyone else's food looked and tasted pretty great, too...although a dish of potatoes and mushrooms just can't compare to fresh fried fish and fries.

From there, it was just a matter of getting back to the apartment, packing up, and meeting Chels and Roger to say our good-byes. These visits are never ever long enough. I miss them already.

If you (like I once did) think that San Francisco is only about Ghiradelli Square and Fisherman's Wharf, you must plan a trip soon! My sister the travel agent will gladly help plan your visit :)