monterey bay & san francisco

vacation

We wanted to do something special for our one year wedding anniversary, so we booked a vacation to Monterey and San Francisco, CA! As some of you may have noticed from our past vacation photos, our vacations are more about sightseeing and learning new things, as opposed to laying around and relaxing 24/7. California was no different.

In six days, let’s see… we flew into San Francisco, drove down the Pacific Coast Highway, got stuck in Pumpkin Festival traffic, stopped at Ano Nuevo Park, checked into our hotel in Monterey Bay, explored Cannery Row, visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium, checked out of our hotel in Monterey Bay, completed the 17-Mile Drive at Pebble Beach (while stopping to see the Lone Cypress and Pebble Beach Golf Links Clubhouse, among other sights), visited Carmel by the Sea, checked into our hotel in San Francisco’s Union Square, visited the Painted Ladies Victorian houses at Alamo Square, learned about all kinds of things at the California Academy of Science, visited the SF MOMA to view a Richard Avedon photography exhibit, took a cruise to Alcatraz, headed to Fishermans Wharf, laughed at the 600+ Sea Lions at Pier 39, walked through the Pier 39 Aquarium, visited Ghiradelli Square, hung off the side of a cable car, drove through the famous Golden Gate Bridge, checked out the 300-foot tall redwood trees at Muir Woods, stopped at the small town of Sausalito, checked out of our hotel in San Francisco, bought some famous sourdough bread at Boudin’s Bakery, and took a redeye flight home. WHEW!!! Oh, and we ate… A LOT. From American food, to Mexican food, to Italian food, to Japanese food, to fast food- we had it all.

It was such a memorable trip and we’re already thinking about where we’ll go next. But, until then, here are our “postcards” from our California vacation.

Ano Nuevo Park:

Carmel by the Sea:

Monterey Bay:

Monterey Bay Aquarium:

17-Mile Drive:

Painted Ladies (Full House, anyone?):

Alcatraz:

Pier 39:

Fishermans Wharf:

Ghiradelli Square:

Nob Hill:

Golden Gate Bridge:

Muir Woods:

Sausalito: