San Francisco with the Bestie

The city that recharges my soul.

MJ and I have been friends since the 7th grade, when we would talk about Clueless in math class, but it wasn't until the 9th grade and our mutual love for the Backstreet Boys that sealed our Best Friend status. We've been best friends for almost 20 years, roommates for almost 2 years at one point. To me she's more than a best friend, she is my family. 

We both love San Francisco, we've taken trips to SF together so many times I've lost count. She is one of my favorite people to go on vacation with because we have the same vacation style, discover as much as you can in the time you are there. A typically day consists of us usually waking up around 8, immediately getting ready, leaving the hotel room, walking all day long, from one side of the city to the other, and then going back to the room to sleep and do it again in the morning. 

You would think after all these trips we would have seen every part of this city, but we were able to stumble on a few parts that we've left undiscovered. I recently saw videos of the Wave Organ on one of those Insider Videos that gets shared on Facebook so I made a note in my mind that next trip, I would go visit. Though I didn't get to fully experience the Wave Organ (because I wasn't there for high tide), what I really enjoyed about this location, is that, in the little nook, you forget where you are. It's so peaceful listening to the gurgling sounds of the water in the pipes.  We spent a good 45 minutes just relaxing and feeling grateful for being able to experience this moment. 

What I think I love the most about this city is the walkability. Sure, it's very hilly, but that just helps build the booty. Saturday we walked from Chinatown, to Union Square, to Haight and Ashbury, to Cows Hallow, to Japan Town, to Russian Hill, to North Beach, to the Embarcadero and back to Chinatown. It's so easy to see so much of this city by just walking because every corner is scenic, every corner has character, it's never boring. Never do I feel like I'm walking to a destination because every step is part of the the experience.

The past few times MJ and I have come to San Francisco, we hadn't had much luck finding good vegan food (unless we wanted to venture into the Tenderloin...but we aren't that brave). This time we found that the vegan game had elevated in the few years since our last visit together. The first day we discovered a little place in Cow Hollow called Seed + Salt. If you got here, you HAVE to get the Breakfast Sandwich. It's served all day long, I'm not sure what they use to create the egg-like middle, but it filled the void of a good breakfast meal I've had since omitting eggs in my diet. The second day (and third because it was so good we came back) we ate at Vegan Picnic (still in Cow Hollow). We had the grilled cheese the first day and a chick'n and waffle sandwich the next, this place does great vegan substitute for comfort foods.

San Francisco will always have my heart. I would love to move here, but with the Tech Boom, the rent is more than I can, or am willing, to pay. Lucky for me (and MJ), flights are usually cheap from LA and the time in the air is usually less than the time I spend in traffic going to the airport. I feel like I need to go back once a year to feel like me again. 

View of Alcatraz from Pier 39

MJ relaxing at the Wave Organ

Sleepy streets of SF

Coit Tower

The Ferry Building

Boba Guys, would recommend. We waited in line for almost an hour

Chinatown

The Painted Ladies

View of Coit Tower from Lomard Street

I love the artist Fnnch's work

The cute sleepy sea lions of Pier 39