BBQ, Waves and Faction Beer

Last weekend, I joined a birthday party in a quest for a good time! We took the ferry to Alameda to spend the day boozing away. Let me tell you how awesome taking the ferry is!  Its a real casual, fun easy, good time. You can even purchase alcohol on the ferry!  In just 30 minutes we were across the bay and ready to take on the day. For just $5 each way, it was a pretty cheap mode of transportation and you got to be on the water!

We picked up the ferry at you guessed it....the Ferry Building. We took it to the first stop and got picked up by our friend's parents..love adult drinking!!! We could have walked, but it was pretty hot out that day.  Our first stop was Faction Brewery. Tomorrow is the one year anniversary!

 

  They had so many different beers on tap!  We did several tasters like the one above for the table.

I wish that they offered brewery tours and the such, but sadly they do not. You cannot actually walk around where they store the beer, unless you're a female and need to walk across the hanger to the ladies room. So weird.

 Jamie, me and Lori

The great thing about this place, is that it is right next door to a winery and a distillery!!  Rock Wall Winery is next door and St. George's Distillery is on the other side!  Sadly, we were on a time crunch and needed to get back to start the BBQ, so we didn't get the chance to go anywhere else but the brewery....but I'll be back!

We got back on the ferry and went back to the city.  Those things in the picture above inspired George Lucas to create the walker things of Star Wars. George lives in Marin County, which is just past the Golden Gate Bridge.

Just another beautiful day in California!

 

So this Russian Billionaire had a very large yacht that we got to pass in the ferry!

Just LOOK AT THAT THING. Oh its only $323 million dollars....no biggie.  Apparently it has a crew of 42..... really ridiculous!

The view of the city as we came back on the ferry!

And then in the Uber to their house we saw this oldie but goodie being towed away. Guess it couldn't get up the massive hills of San Francisco any more!

Molly's in Town

My sorority sister Molly came to San Francisco last week! She was in town for a Stitch Fix event. How cool is that?!?!  Molly is my third visitor I've hosted so far, woohoo! She is a blogger and was in my Phi Mu Lambda Epsilon chapter in college! I love that Phi Mu connects sisters, even if its been years since you've actually seen each other. #notjustfouryears

I had a Junior League meeting that afternoon but met up with Molly after that was finished. I introduced her to Uber and we went to my favorite location, Jamber. I mean seriously, this place should just promote me to #VIP since I bring everyone here.  We hung out and then headed home since she's still on East Coast time.

The next morning I took her to my favorite brunch spot, The Butler & the Chef, for seriously the best.lunch.ever.

 

Just look at that YUMMY Croque Monsieur 

My mouth is watering RIGHT NOW

She bought this really good French lemonade. It was bubbly and fresh to death. We left with our bellys full and walked around the area, visiting the Giants ball park, 21st Amendment, the marina, the Ferry Building and I have to bring all Phi Mus to the Mozilla HQ.

 

Because they have this AMAZING quatrafoil door!

 

So of course we had to throw what we know!

 

Day Around the Bay #2: Fisherman's Wharf

So as my second foray into running around my new city, I took on Fisherman's Wharf. It was a particularly chilly day and most tourists were wrapped in coats and scarves, I was running in my shorts and tank top. Whoops. You can tell who are tourists and who aren't.

I do love that I work from home now and can set my own schedule. I typically work from 6:30am-3:30pm and I absolutely love getting off work so early!!! Its awesome to be able to go for a run whenever I choose. I don't mean to rub it in, but its pretty sweet!

On a random Friday, when I had nothing to do, I decided to take myself on a run.  Down to Fisherman's Wharf and back. Probably a total of 5 miles round trip.  Fisherman's Wharf encompasses the norther waterfront area of San Francisco, from Ghiradelli Square east to Kearny Street.

It started with a run down the Embarcadero and down to Fisherman's Wharf.  First stop was Boudin Bakery. MAN, this place smells DEVINE! Don't run past this place if you're hungry....its just bad news bears.

There's this HUGE window where you can see the bakers kneading the dough and making loaves.

And then there's THESE bread loaves!!! The one above is an alligator.

And here is a bear and some turtles! Um...apparently you can order these shapes! Whoa!

Oh so touristy....so many tourists EVERYWHERE.

And of course, there's In and Out Burger, the West Coast thing to do. 

Just a little downtown touristy action

Checked off another National Park on my list at the Hyde Street Pier.

There are eight historic vessels to view at the pier.

Hello there beautiful Golden Gate Bridge

Ghiradelli Square 

Reminds me of all the ships in Virginia!!

Straight up Hyde street!

And one last view from up Hyde Street!

Other Day Around the Bays:
#1 North Beach and Coit Tower

Tartine Bakery

Tartine has been on my to-do list since I've gotten here.  I know there is ALWAYS a long line but I've heard its AH-MAZING. I mean, just LOOK at those croissants!!!  Tartine is located at 600 Guerrero St. and opened in 2002.  If you're at Delores, its only a few blocks away and its a must see. Tartine apparently means slice of bread in French. Which is appropriate because they bake fresh bread daily and its for sale at 4:30 pm. It comes hot out of the oven....my mouth is watering right now as I type this. 

After brunch with my Junior League group, I took a quick jaunt to Delores Park to meet up with these two cuties, Brad and Derek. Derek decided it was very important for us to go to Tartine. Apparently when he visits from Chi Town, he always goes there! You don't have to ask me twice.

We stood in line F-O-R-E-V-E-R. Apparently there used to be a Carl's bakery here. 

There's all kinds of things you can order there too! Just check the menu out here. 

EEEKKK get in mah belly!!!!

You can't tell that we were hungry. Bottom is a Pain du Chocolate, top left is a banana cream pie, top right is a lemon tart. MMM... I didn't take a picture of Derek's fresh loaf of bread, but I tell you it was HEAVEN. 

Let's just get up close and REEEAAAALLLL PERSONAL with that banana cream pie! Gosh it was good! I would definitely go here again.  I'd want to try one of their sandwiches or a fresh cup of coffee.

And on my walk home, I spotted this cutie!