Solo Trip to San Francisco

This past weekend was my first solo trip since last summer and I felt ANXIOUS. Aside from traveling with friends, I’ve spent the past few weeks being around people. So this was something I needed, right?

I have to admit, the first day was great. I felt free, but the rest of my trip was lonely and I took the feeling home with me. I’m currently trying to get out of the funk because (the message in hot yoga this week was) THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

Day 1

First stop: Alamo Square to see the Painted Ladies and relax. I woke up less than 1.5 hours before my flight! Thankfully, it only took me 22 minutes to get to the Long Beach Airport.

The other reason I came to Alamo Square: coffee from female-owned Lady Falcon Coffee Club.

A few steps away is The Mill. They serve toast on fresh bread and have this genius almond butter + butter + salt toast.

I stepped over into Golden Gate Park for a few hours. Little known fact, I have visited a botanical garden in almost every city I’ve visited.

I continued walking from the Sutro Baths to Lands End.

My dinner was Greek fries and frozen yogurt at Souvla in the popular NoPa area.

Day 2

I drove up to Mill Valley for coffee at Equator Coffee.

I didn’t realize I needed a reservation to go to John Muir National Monument so I walked around the Marin Headlands and Sausalito instead.

I got back into town and celebrated SF Beer Week at Standard Deviant with a flight and chili cook off.

Somehow, the beer got me tipsy so I took a nap before heading to… COLOR FACTORY. I bought tickets awhile ago and was kind of disappointed. It’s a small installation and while it was great that there were so few people, it wasn’t a lively environment.

Day 3

Jane on Fillmore makes the best avocado mash I’ve ever had with all my favorite toppings – pickled onions, jalapenos, poached egg, and tons of avocado.

Another little known fact about me, I LOVE doing crossword puzzles.

Then it was off to hike to Alamere Falls. It’s an easy ~9 mile trek till the very end when there is some scrambling down the cliff. It was actually harder climbing up the rocks. I was the only vehicle in the lot when I got there at a 9am and didn’t see anyone for 2 hours. I had the whole beach to myself!

I actually stopped into Russian River in Santa Rosa, but they released Pliny the Younger so the line was at least 50 people deep. Instead, I drove up to Calistoga to try Tank Garage Winery and fell in love. The employees and patrons were so much fun and we ended up going to their sister tasting room, T-Vine Winery a few steps away in a barn!

Day 4

I reserved parking for the Muir Woods, but I have to be honest, I was burnt out on walking and all the fresh air. 🙂 I quickly walked through before driving to Sonoma.

I didn’t want wine… I wanted to visit The Fremont Diner, a rustic but modern establishment.

I got their hot chicken and biscuit. The Nashville hot chicken was not hot at all and rather disappointing, but the biscuit was pretty good and that’s a lot coming from someone who used to live in the South. 🙂