style roulette: san francisco part 1

Some photos from our vacation in San Francisco!

All in all we were there for 11 days so we were lucky to see some different parts of the city. SF is definitely full of characters... even though it wasn't exactly what I was expecting, I'm still so happy I could spend some time there because I'd been dying to go. We learned quickly to stay away from all the touristy areas (there are few things I despise more than screaming children), and ended up finding so many cool little boutiques and cafés that you wouldn't see anywhere else. Which almost forgives the FREEZING weather in July...aaah. Anyway, here are the photos!

Cable Car Coffee next to our hotel in Union Square:

We took a streetcar down to the Ferry Building our first day and walked through the market, kind of an upscale version of Fanueil Hall in Boston. We bought homemade bread and cheese and of course some macaroons and tea, saw the Bay Bridge and then took a break in the terrace at MarketBar for some afternoon tapas:

Then we walked through the artisan stalls outside the Ferry Building. My mom and I both bought some jewelry from the woman who made these pieces; isn't her work beautiful? You can't see it here but all of the metal is scratched up and weathered-looking. Can't describe it but she is fantastic!

US and California flags on California Street, Financial District:

Chinatown (this entryway was as far as we got):

The next day was the 4th of July, my mom and I both had temporary lobotomies and thought it would be fun to go down to Pier 39 and take a boat cruise around the bay. Two things: (1) If this is how it felt immigrating to Ellis Island (and I have a sneaking suspicion it was pretty similar) I truly feel sorry for my ancestors, and (2) An open deck boat in subzero weather has to be the most absurd way to explore San Francisco. Luckily we were surrounded by so many obese people that most of the wind was blocked off. Love those American tourists! That being said, the Golden Gate Bridge is pretty cool looking. Here's Alcatraz:

The people waving at our boat from the top of the bridge were so TINY they don't even show up as little dots on the photo. It's incredible how massive this bridge is in real life!

Parasurfers near Golden Gate: can you imagine this is someone's life?? Can't say I'm that jealous though...no wetsuit could entice me into that water.