After the girls were born, Shaun and I made sure to take some time to ourselves. We had date nights and even short weekends away but we had yet to take an extended trip. Well this year we finally did it and we survived the time away from the girls too!

SO… Wednesday night we took off for the “City by the Bay” and despite leaving at nearly 9pm we made it to the hotel just after 2:30am. Not too bad! The following day Shaun headed to Foster City to get a little work in at the Sony offices. I did some driving, shopping and relaxing with my Kindle Fire. I wonder who got the better end of that deal? After work we drove up to the city and started our official vacation away. We checked in to our hotel, which was beautiful, enjoyed some room service and then went for a drive. It was so nice to finally be in San Francisco again!

The next day we woke up late (I had forgotten what that was like). By the time we were ready to leave the room it was lunch time, so we headed over to the Presidio for lunch at the Presidio Social Club. All I can say is… AMAZING. An adult version of Tomato Soup and Grilled cheese as an appetizer and the best crab sandwich I think I have ever had. Very impressed and I highly recommend it. Little fact: The Presidio Social Club was once the site of the enlisted men’s barracks. Good food and a history lesson!

After a wonderful lunch, we decided to walk off a bit of what we ate. Luckily just across the street was the Lucas Arts campus so we took a look around. We didn’t find Luke Skywalker or Han Solo, but we did find a stunning view of the Palace of Fine Arts. We did, however, find our friend Yoda!

After our walk around Lucas Arts, we headed over to a very surprising and exciting find for me, The Disney Family Museum! We were only permitted to take pictures in the main entrance, so there isnt much to show you but the museum was amazing. We should have done it at a time when we had more time but I really enjoyed it. If you love all things Disney, this is the place to go! My favorite spot was the second to last exhibit room. Incredible. I cannot wait to take Abby and Ellie here.

After the museum we headed back to the room to get ready for our evening out. Shaun is an amazing husband and got me tickets to see the San Francisco Ballet perform. I have to give him about a thousand extra points too, just for sitting through the second piece of the night. The ballet showcased three unique pieces and the first and third were spectacular. The first piece was very modern but the dancers were flawless and amazingly strong. The third was more traditional and choreographed my Christopher Wheeldon. I wont get into the second but it was not my taste, at all. All you need to know is that it involved an entire male cast all dressed in pink camouflage with the costume design done by Isaac Mizrahi. After the ballet, we headed to dinner and then back to our room for some much needed rest.

The following day we slept in, yes again, and then headed out to the Legion of Honor. They had a small Victorian childrens book exhibit that we wanted to see as well as Bernini’s “Medusa”. The book collectionf was pretty small and didnt take much time to view so we went to view the “Medusa”. This is its first stop on an American tour and until now most would have to travel to Italy to see it. Its pretty neat to think we were in town at the right time to see it. Before we left I stopped in to see one of my favorite paintings, “Water Lillie’s” by Monet.

After the Legion of Honor we made our way back to the Presidio, stopping at Baker Beach for a photo opportunity close to sunset. Yet another reason I love this city and miss it a lot. Maybe one day we will win the lotto and I can buy a small place in the city. Wouldn’t that be nice?

After a few stops in the Presidio we took a break and enjoyed our hotel room for a few hours and did a little shopping along Market Street and in Union Square. When we found ourselves hungry we went out to Cow Hollow and found a great little Italian place. Hands down the best crab ravioli ever and the dessert… I’m not sure I can even speak of it. Amazing! It was a wonderful way to end the night.

Sunday morning I woke up early, excited to start the day. We were meeting my best friend Tommie and her husband Andrew in Palo Alto for an early lunch. I have not seen Tommie since she threw Abby’s baby shower. All of the trips we had planned prior to this had fallen through for one reason or another and I knew, come hell or high water, that I would see her this time. And I did! But, stupid me forgot to take pictures! I was so excited to see them and we had so much to talk about that I didn’t even think to take pictures. Ugh! Oh well, I have the memories and I will see them again very soon! Lunch was delicious and the conversation was great, so much so that I did not want to go but eventually we had to leave.

On our way home from Palo Alto, we took a drive up the coast and back to the city. It was a perfectly gorgeous day for a drive through the trees and along the coast. From there we drove back to Baker Beach and then headed to diner. We stopped in Cows Hollow again, but this time at a fabulous Thai food place. It was yummy! After dinner we took one last drive around the city and headed across the Golden Gate Bridge. We stopped along the road through Marin Headlands to get a few shots of the bridge at night. It was hard to do since I didn’t have a tripod, but thanks to Shaun I have a few shots that look pretty good. After driving all over the place, we headed back to our room.

It was hard to get up the next morning, knowing that it was time to leave and come home. But we eventually got up, got ready, packed, checked out and said goodbye to San Francisco… for now. On our way out of town we stopped in San Bruno at the Golden Gate National Cemetery (the correct one… don’t ask its an inside joke) and found where my Grandma Taylor’s brother was laid to rest. He died during WWII and was eventually moved here. My grandma never had the chance to travel here to see him, so we stopped to take some pictures for her.

Despite some holiday traffic coming home on the 5, the rest of the trip was pretty uneventful. I sat and finished my book on my Kindle. Something I haven’t had the chance to do in a long time. Finished a great book too, now I am excited to move on to the next one! This weekend was wonderful and it was nice for Shaun and I to have some time alone. Now I cant wait to bring the girls here. Soon I hope!