West Coast

Do you dream of California? Do you yearn for it? I never did. California was on the very lowest of low priorities on my travel list. I had no use for what I thought of as Florida pt II. I already had swamps, beautiful beaches, Disney WORLD and all the bloody sunshine I could ever dream of.

Welp my mind was blown. Northern California is beyond gorgeous. Cliffy beaches, redwood forests, otters and seals, rolling hills and mountains, San Francisco...gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. Here's a rundown of things we did that I would definitely recommend if you're visiting the area.

 

• Toasted Almond Black and Tan sundae from Fentons, the ice cream shop from UP!
• Bi-Rite Creamery, any flavor.
• View from Coit Tower, we didnt go up but just the drive up and the view is really nice.
• Alcatraz. This seems obvious, but the ferry ride over gives such a gorgeous view of the city and the audio tour is incredibly interesting. Don't skip it. 
• The Ferry Building, eat lunch there and get a milk from Cowgirl Creamery. Eat your treasures outside on the upper ferry dock. Super packed on Saturdays. 
• 17 mile drive down the coast of Monterey to Pebble Beach and Carmel. Get out and explore. 
• Muir Woods, gorgeous red wood trees. If I had an extra day I would have taken one of the longer hikes all the way down to the beach. 
• The Disney Family Museum. Bursting at the seams with memorabilia from the Disney family, including the first known sketches of Mickey, and lots of interactive videos, games and sound clips.
• View from the hills across the bay of the Golden Gate Bridge
• Monterey Aquarium. We spent 3 hours here, really cool place.
• Find all the Banksy pieces in town, because your 17 year old self would have thought you were the coolest. 

I could  have spent another week in just San Francisco itself. I wish I could have. We'll be back!