It’s almost been a month since my return from California, and I have yet to type up all the adventures that were had. I guess part of me felt that sharing those moments will stir up all sorts of memories from the trip that are embedded in my mind, and only leave me heartbroken that I’m in North Carolina and not California.
But alas, for my sake and the sake of auld lang syne, here are some images and happenings from the first few days in San Francisco!
Walking shoes on and ready to explore!
Union Square
at the Chinatown Gate!
I like this shot
contrasting architecture
busy streets
My last name is an alley!
alleyway map
fortune cookie factory!
This fortune cookie factory is kind of off the beaten path, but is a definite tourist find. I mean, who doesn’t love fortune cookies? The space is tiny, so be prepared to squeeze in for a look at the cookie-making process! They charge $1 for a picture, and the bags of fresh cookies are cheap and delicious! They would make a cute souvenir… if you can resist temptation to eat them yourself!
Am I the only person who always takes pictures of signs?
Once Ashley & I figured out how to get to Fisherman’s Wharf, it became our stomping ground- going there to grab In-N-Out, going into those cheap-o stores (that we I, like any tourist, couldn’t get enough of), simply walk around, or go to Starbucks. We felt comfortable there, as we knew where things were, and where to go to catch the bus we needed! 
battleship + birds
Alcatraz from Pier 39
the sign says it all
I loved the boats in the Bay… so photogenic!
The Golden Gate Bridge from Pier 39
It makes quite the statement, no?
Because San Francisco was so chilly and I didn’t pack enough layers, I was constantly holding and drinking coffee! Not so great for my budget, but if it kept me warm, who cares? Seriously, I consumed so much coffee just to help warm me up!
Coffee and the Bay
Meeting the locals!
That sky & that water? Loved it!
These full-time sun-bathers sure do have the life!
The sun starting to go down leaves the Bay in shadow
row upon row upon row
“when the lights go down in the city, and the sun shines on the Bay…”
Ghirardelli
One day, Ashley and I went to Pier 39 and walked around. I think we went into at least half the stores (mainly trying to stay warm) and going upstairs & downstairs & back upstairs.
We found one super fun store with mind-puzzles and brain-bogglers and we spent over an hour in there! Of course I felt really dumb at first with a wooden box puzzle, but then once I got the hang of the puzzles, I enjoyed them! I’m definitely a nerd, because I think working in a store like that would be a blast!
I’ve heard this place is amazing & has a killer view!
Ashley on the pier
A personal favorite of mine- Ghirardelli Square! (mainly because the smell of chocolate is in the air!)
SUN
Cute little park area
there were swimmers in the Bay!
I really don’t know why I like to photograph birds…
playing in the water
Park
look familiar?
a Ghirardelli chocolate cupcake at Kara’s Cupcakes!
I don’t know why I took so many pictures of my feet and the street, but seeing the street name on the sidewalk helped me keep my bearings with where I was! 
uh oh!
view from my window at the hostel
(im)patiently waiting in In-N-Out!!!
Welcome to the Wharf
(let’s just ignore my awkward face)
This was my travel outfit for the plane. I was comfy & warm until I got to San Fran…then I wished I had thicker clothes!
map of SF in the hostel
Pointing to my last name! (which is not Pho)
After unsuccessfully finding a restaurant in Chinatown with “Americanized Chinese” (I’m looking at you, Ash! hah) I was famished and started searching for the closest decent-looking place. (some places on the outskirts of Chinatown were sketchyyy) We stumbled into L & L and although I wasn’t too impressed with the food, the cashier was friendly, and the place was warmer than outside and we could sit down.
Hawaiian BBQ chicken for lunch
BOUDIN BAKERY GOODNESSS
The gator bread at Boudin!
sea lions sunning
again, interesting signage
I would trip
inside the brain puzzle games store
sunset
challenge: spot the team from NC!
After walking around the pier for hours, Ashley and I were hungry and ready to be warm. We opted for soup bread bowls at Boudin’s, and proceeded to wait in line and snag a table in the corner! The soup was sooo good and worth the wait!
the best tomato soup I’ve ever had. And the bread bowl was amazing too! @Boudin’s
Oh hey Rosie!
yep
spelled my name right! Way to go, Starbucks!
It’s funny because there were Starbucks everywhere in San Francisco! Some of them were tiny, and they were always full. I loved having my Starbucks card because I bought so much coffee that I ended up getting a few free drinks!
Believe it or not, those are just a snippet of the photos I took in San Francisco on days 1 & 2. (You better believe it) I was constantly pulling out my phone or camera to take a picture of a sign (as you can tell), food, the water, you name it! I didn’t want to miss a thing, or forget a thing.
Next up? Oh, just photos of the most iconic bridge in the States
Did you have Clam chowder at the wharf?
Ashley did! I had tomato.