One Hundred Dollars a Month

Do you have a list of places you really want to see before you die?  Like a bucket list for travel?

I do.  I love to travel, every time I go someplace new, I gain some sort of new perspective {It’s all very deep and meaningful.  Ha.}, and  each new place gives me chance to experience life in a different way without having to put my house up for sale.

San Francisco, CA.  If you haven’t been, I seriously recommend it.

It is an eclectic city {huge understatement} with tons of cool stuff the see and do.  Parts of the city make you appreciate home, but the minute you grab a cable car and head to the sites, you feel like you are part of a huge real-life movie.

China Town is quite literally like stepping into a bustling city in China.  It’s essentially a neighborhood where Asian immigrants can retain their culture, religion, customs, etc, but it has become a huge tourist attraction.  There are tons of stores, and if you time it right, festivals, complete with music, fireworks and dragons dancing in the street.

Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory is in San Francisco as well.  It’s all part of Ghirardelli Square, which boasts restaurants, wine tasting events, etc.  I think the MUST NOT MISS attraction is the ice cream shop.  Bring a friend {or eight} and order an ice cream sundae.  They are huge–and decadant, and delicious, and magical.

Oh, sorry, are you still there?  I got a little carried away.  You can also see the original chocolate making equipment in the ice cream parlor.  While you are there, you can check out the stores around the square.  It has tons of specialty shops, which I love, because it’s stuff you can’t get find at big box stores.  You know, the one of a kind items that makes your travel experience unique?

Lombard Street is that street you see in the movies.  It’s the epitome of San Francisco style.  It is a long steep street with 8 sharp turns.  You can drive it or walk it if  you like, or just stand at the bottom and watch the cars slowly navigate the turn.  In spring, the street is lined with tons of flowers–making it even more charming.

Fisherman’s Wharf is the place to be if you head to San Francisco.  It is still an operating wharf, where the fleets come in with their daily catches.  Commerce, street performers, and events have sprung up all around the wharf, though, making it a day long experience.  There is an aquarium, several museums, and the infamous Pier 39, which is home to several restaurants where you can eat some of the freshest seafood of your life. Boudin Bakery is my favorite!

Last but not least, you have to take a drive over the Golden Gate Bridge.  From the bridge,  you can see Alcatraz {the famous, now non-operating prison}.  If you are so inclined, you can also schedule a tour of Alcatraz.  Make sure to plan ahead on that one, though, as the tours tend to fill up fast.

There is seriously so much more to do in San Francisco, but those are the highlights.

Have you been to San Francisco? What are some of your favorite things to do there?

Happy Travels,

~Mavis