San Fran

On Saturday we took a road trip to San Francisco for the day. We've been here over 2 years and haven't been to San Fran other than to go to the airport. So we figured it was time. With the help of our friends letting the dogs out, (Thanks Anne and Ryan!!!) we got to take our time and enjoy the whole day.
We started off by going to Muir Woods. It's a red wood forest about 20 minutes North of the Golden Gate Bridge. All of the trails were paved so it was stroller friendly, so cool! The forest was beautiful! Jack loved walking through the trees and looking in the streams for fish. It was really amazing to see!


Standing in the "goose pen" of the tree. Fires would cause little burnt out caves in the living trees that pioneers would use to corral livestock.







After Muir Woods we headed back over the Golden Gate Bridge. We stopped on the North side at a vista point and walked about 1/4 of the way over the bridge. It was so windy, I had a fear of Ty blowing away. Hahaha! It was really cool to see this huge structure that's just hanging in the air. It's a little scary too, especially when you look up and see the wire swaying and then look down over the side and see how high you are. Even scarier was the fact that Jack could fit his head through the slats on the wall of the walkway. Of course he wasn't going anywhere but I about had a heart attack and freaked out! After that we walked right in the middle of the walkway. Even after all that, the bridge was one of my favorite things we did Saturday.

At the vista point. (I swear I gave birth to both those boys, they used to resemble each other)

On the bridge

Super Wind

Super Insane-O Wind (Ty's face is hilarious)


After the bridge, we headed through town and went to Lombard street. This is the zig-zaggy road. We ended up driving down it and it was pretty cool. There are actual row homes on this street with driveways and garages. I have no idea how people could pull into their driveways, but it would be pretty cool to live there. (Minus all of the constant tourists) :-)




Here's Alcatraz from Pier 39. We opted to skip the prison tour. We didn't think the kids would like it and we thought they were too young for us to permanently scar them with nightmares of crazy prison inmates.



Next was Kara's Cupcakes. This is where I had THE BEST cupcake I've ever tasted...EVER! If anyone's ever seen Cupcake Wars on the Food Network, the baker who owns this shop has been on that show twice (that I've seen). Her shop is in Ghirardelli Square. It's this tiny store front, no bakery on site. The cupcakes were amazing! (Meagan....you would have passed out in cupcake heaven!) Tom and I had a chocolate peanut butter cupcake and Jack and Ty scarfed down a strawberry cream filled cupcake with cream cheese icing. Beyond yummy!!!


After Ghirardelli Square we walked to Pier 39 and Fisherman's Warf then headed over to the Ferry Building. I wanted to go there because the Ferry Building has all these crazy specialty shops. One of the shops is Boccalone. Chris Constentino who is the chef/owner is one of the Chefs in Chefs Vs. City on the Food Network (yes, I love that channel!) The bummer was we got to the Ferry Building when most of the shops were closing. I was looking forward to flavored olive oils, salty pig parts, fresh cheese, and gelato. We did get to walk through and see everything and I was still on my cupcake high so all was good. From the outside of the Ferry Building you can see the Bay Bridge perfectly. We had great weather so there was hardly any fog.

The Ferry Building

The Bay Bridge

And to wrap up our trip.....
The Infamous McMurtrie Picture Faces