I Conquered Public Transportation [in San Francisco]!

Wow!  Coming from a small town that didn't even have a restaurant that delivered, we definitely didn't have any form of public transportation!  For the most part, living anywhere in Iowa, everyone has their own car.  Sure, we have busses to take you around the college campus or a taxi here or there to take you around downtown, but really, if you need [or want] to go somewhere, you hop in your car and take off.  And traffic?  Unless it's game day in downtown Iowa City, we just don't have it.

I thought about renting a car, basically because that's all I know, but decided against it for many reasons [mainly, the fact that I have no idea where I'm going, the idea of finding parking, and not really knowing how much I would use it].  I am so glad I decided to use Public Transportation!  While on this trip, I conquered a Taxi, the Muni [city bus], the Cable Car, the Trolley, and a Tour Bus with no problems at all, only a few small issues [there was the afternoon I got kicked off the bus--it wasn't my fault, and the one morning I got off and on the wrong bus before getting back on the bus I should never have gotten off--haha!].   Talk about an accomplishment on my first [and probably only] solo adventure.  *It should be noted that I also walked approximately 7 miles--5 of them in my first 24 hours! :)  And obviously took a plane and a cab.

San Francisco | Eats

{Breakfast}

The best breakfast I had was Mama's.  I read that the eggs benedict is amazing, but I ordered the crab, egg, and cheese breakfast croissant -- HEAVENLY!!  A line forms outside the restaurant and they only take a few at a time since the whole restaurant seats about 30 people.  I went on a weekday morning and luckily made the first group in, but I was the last person.  I will definitely be back next time I'm in San Francisco!!

Saturday morning before my flight I went to the Ferry Market Building.  I had ACME Bread as I heard good things about it.  A line also forms here, so go early!  This was the most soft, flaky and flavorful piece of bread I had this trip!  So very good.  And if you were staying somewhere with a kitchen, I would stop by early on your trip to stock up on fresh bread!

{Lunch}

and by 'fom' I do mean from! :)  Either way...this isn't notable, it was yucky!!

{Dinner}

My first night in town I was hungry since I hadn't eaten all day, but too tired from traveling to venture far.  The bell boy recommended Zero Zero.  It was within walking distance from my hotel.  I'm so glad I went.  It was late, but I got a seat by the window and had an amazing Brick Oven Margarita pizza.  Great sauce and awesome fresh mozzarella and basil.  I recommend this resturant!

The next afternoon I had Tony's Pizza.  This place only makes 73 Brick Oven Margarita Pizzas a day, so you have to go early.  They start by bringing you some homemade garlic bread with three different dipping sauces--oh my gosh...yummy!  Then, they bring your pizza, by far the thinnest pizza I've ever had.  But it was SO GOOD!  I highly recommend this place as well!  YUMMY!!

Since I over did it {too much walking up hills} on the first day, I decided to stay in this night.  I ordered in from one of the few places that delivered right to my hotel room.  Unfortunately, I forgot the name of this joint.  Where their communication lacks {they seriously called me FIVE times about my order} the food makes up for it!  I've had my share of Chicken Fried Rice, but this had the most flavor ever!  

The next afternoon I wanted to try the food carts.  Unfortunately, the good ones were just too far away. So I took the bus to some that are setup in a parking lot permanently, called SOMA [south of Market area] StrEATfood.  Funny little side note here...I got kicked off the bus a few miles out for having an expired bus pass.  I learned the hard way that a 3 day bus pass is not a 72 hour bus pass! :(  Nevertheless, these food carts were a huge disappointment.  If I go back to a food cart, I will time it when they're close enough or drive up North to the good ones. *No worries, one food cart took debit cards {all I had} so I was able to get some cash to purchase a bus pass back to my hotel that night.  Also?  I found out later that where I got kicked off the bus is the worst street in all of San Francisco, the one that had a drive-by the week before.  Thankfully all the bad buys must have taken pity on the waddling, preggo lady walking the streets clueless!  

 

After the bomb of a night the night before, I decided to stay close the next night.  I asked concierge for recommendations for something quick and simple.  She recommended Super Duper {burgers} which were directly behind my hotel.  I am so glad she recommended this place!  I'll admit, the chicken sandwich I ordered wasn't that flavorful and the garlic, cheese fries where very garlicky  But the one thing that made this a win?  Their chocolate milkshake!  Oh my gosh...heavenly!  Such awesome ice cream and they even put graham cracker crumbs on the top.  I'm not a huge shake person, but I gulped this down in no time!  Go just for the chocolate milkshake...you won't regret it!  :)

I ate at the Cowgirl Creamery twice.  It's located in the Ferry Market Building.  The first time was for lunch when I ordered the homemade mac & cheese.  Simply amazing...wonderful cheeses!  So good that I went back the morning before my flight and got their Crusties.  Basically like an open faced grilled cheese {with awesome cheeses and a mustard sauce}.  Another win!  I'm pretty sure you can't go wrong at this place!  Another must go!  

 {Dessert}

Kara's Cupcakes is located in Ghirardelli Square, but they have locations all around San Francisco, including the airport.  Super yummy!

Ghirardelli chocolates are all over San Francisco, but this was right from Ghirardelli Square.  Man does fresh chocolate taste so much better than when you get it from the local Target!  I could eat my weight in this chocolate!  :)

Norman's Ice Cream is by Fisherman's Wharf and Ghirardelli Square.  I heard awesome things, so I went.  I ordered a scoop of a fancy chocolate ice cream in a waffle cone.  She noticed I was pregnant and insisted that I choose another flavor, confused I said the name of another ice cream.  She proceeded to put a tiny little scoop of it on the top.  Supposedly it's good luck for the baby! :)  How sweet was that?!  Also, as I was walking to a little table outside I noticed they won an award for their sundae {whoops, should have tried that!} Either way the ice cream was awesome, and I would love to go back!  

San Francisco | Chinatown [in photos]

Chinatown | 2nd largest in America [only to New York] | locals call the bus ride to Chinatown the 'Asian Express' because of all the little Asian people that go each morning for their daily needs.  :)
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Chinatown was just like I thought it some ways, but so very different in other.  Yes, it has bargain shopping, but mainly it's packed with locals getting fresh meat and produce.  Each morning the semis line the streets from about 6:30-7:30.  They unload truckloads of crates, boxes, and pallets of any fruit and vegetable you could imagine!  It's so neat to see go early and watch them all setup their shop each day.  It was quite the experience...

San Francisco | California [+/-]

There are so many things about this city I LOVED [the 'cold' temps are 50's, they have palm trees, the restaurants are some of the best in America, Chinatown is crazy, the Ferry Building Market is out of this world, your shopping options are almost unlimited, they have one of the best skyline views...] but there are also so things that made me very happy to live in little, old, Iowa!  Here are just a few of the observations *I made while in San Fran...

::I don't have to pay $6/ hour to park my car, or take 3 different busses to get across town
::I get to shop for all of my weekly stuff in one place [Target, Wal*Mart, Hy-Vee, etc.]
::When I shop, I don't have to bring my own bag or purchase one of theirs
::After I shop, I get to load them all up in my little SUV and drive them directly back to my house! ;)
::I can cross the street anywhere I want!  No waiting for 'walk' signals at the crosswalk
::I don't have to hang my laundry out my window to dry
::I get 5 times the space in my house that they get in yours & for 1/3 of the price! ;)
::Anywhere I walk will not have a hill like almost all of your streets do!

*I said I, so I'm just talking about my option.  I know that it's different for everyone!

Goodbye San Francisco!

[in my best Danny Tanner voice, of course]

I'm sitting in the airport 3 hours before my flight leaves because I have never been more ready to get home in all my life.  Not because I didn't like San Francisco, but rather because I have soaked up all that I can in my 5 days here.  The food, the attractions, the sights.  I can't wait to show you all about it.  [As if I haven't on IG already..haha!]

I am so excited to have crossed two things off my Bucket List [taking a solo vaca & visiting California].  But for now I am just so ready to squeeze and kiss all over my little family!  I missed them so much, but I'm proud of myself for not having an breakdowns while I've been away.  Thankfully, I prepared myself for the loneliness pretty well before I left.

San Francisco | CA ::your thoughts::

In less than a month, I'll be flying solo to San Francisco for a week.  Although I'll be in meetings and plan to spend most of my extra time enjoying room service and having the whole bed to myself for naps, I will need to feed this baby and I do want to check out a few 'must sees' in SF.  So, bloggy friends...

Have you been there, do you live there?  What was your favorite thing to do?  Are there any ah-maz-ing restaurants I need to check out?  Anything [or anywhere] I should stay away from?