Sittin' on the Cliffs of the Bay
Note to self: the Pacific Ocean slaps
I have been to the California Bay Area once a year for the past four years and I hope to continue that in perpetuity.
Before this trip, I always stayed in Oakland and popped into San Francisco for a couple of hours here and there. But I was excited that this time, we’d be visiting Sean’s family in SF.
Sean went to school out here and claims San Francisco is a small city. I begged to differ because my reference point of New York City is TINY. Especially in Manhattan, we’re all just piled on top of each other. San Francisco has the ocean, less dense residential neighborhoods and more natural areas. You can’t compare Golden Gate Park to Central Park, in the same way that I wouldn’t even compare Central Park to Prospect Park. They’re completely different sizes and offer very different experiences.
When we left New York it was below 30 degrees. When we arrived at SFO, it was nearly 70 and sunny. I know this can be rare for the Bay — as is any consistent weather at all — but I could feel the harsh winter inside of me thaw. We sat on Ocean Beach and watched the family dog run free.
I’ve been telling my therapist for months that I need to be in nature. Obviously, being a snowbird is the dream, but for multiple reasons and lame excuses (friends’ limited PTO, my birthday is during college spring break 🤮, I’m depressed, etc) planning always feels like an enormous hill to climb.
Where are your winter snowbird locations? Please let me know in the comments.
Our trip was only five days and that is too damn short. I can’t recall dreading a return home like this. However, I’m really grateful for the time off the east coast and time out of our shoebox apartment. Perspective is key.
Anyway,
Here are some places I really enjoyed!
The closing celebration for my birthday week — as Sean’s mom called it — was held here and it was truly special. We had a table of eight, so we were given the tasting menu. Absolutely incredible and a great entrance into “California cuisine.”
No, not the clothing brand. We entered this trail in the Outer Richmond and looked over the cliffs into the Pacific. I got hella emotional standing here because there’s a photo on my 2024 vision board. It felt like finding the piece I had been looking for a puzzle inside me. It was windy and sunny so it felt so refreshing. I’ll be dreaming about that spot for a long time.
Sean remembered this spot because we were looking for sourdough to accompany dinner. We went at like 4pm, so unfortunately the only bread left was their Adventure Bread — but looking at their menu I know they’d have a whole assortment if you went in the morning.
I sent this photo to my friend because I was lamenting the lack of space New York has to provide larger spaces like this. Not that every shop and store in SF looks like this, but I couldn’t help but savor not having to breathe on someone else’s cortado.
Overwhelming is an understatement. And if CDs ever come back, we’ll definitely know where to go.
Sitting at Sean’s parent’s dining room table now I’m overlooking houses to see the mountains of Golden Gate Park in the distance and a clear sky. I definitely need more of this.
Where should my next quick trip be?