San Francisco: Family, Festivities, and Fun πππ
The journey continued to San Francisco, where we experienced the Chinese New Year parade, learned some history, and celebrated precious time together with family.
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Β‘Hola amigos, familia y seguidores! Hello friends, family, and followers!
Fresh off the cruise from Mexico, sunburned, and a few tacos heavier, we landed in San Francisco ready to keep the celebration going. Chinese New Year chaos. Momβs birthday. Family reunions. And, of course, exploring the City by the Bay never fails to serve up a little unexpected magic.
San Francisco. A city of contradictions, where every corner hides a surpriseβsome delightful, some terrifying. From the bustling streets of Chinatown where dragons dance and fireworks explode to the haunting history of Alcatraz Island, the majestic span of the Golden Gate Bridge, and the history of the 49er gold rush, the streets of San Francisco come alive.
Itβs a city where history, tradition, and modernity collide. From the gold rush era and the bustling streets of Chinatown, with its fireworks and rich traditions, to the self-driving tech taxis and billionaire tech tycoons, a chaotic blend of past and present.
Firecrackers, Basketball, and Ice Cream ππ₯’π¦
After a quick BART ride from SFO to SF, Chinatown pulsed with lifeβdragons twisting through the crowds, drums pounding like a heartbeat, firecrackers turning the sidewalks into a war zone of red paper confetti. The Chinese New Year parade was in full force.
And to add another layer of frenzy? The NBA All-Star crowd. Fans crowded the sidewalks, creating a human traffic jam that moved at the speed of a dim sum cart on a lazy Sunday morning.
Hungry and needing a break from the madness, we ducked into no-frills Chef Hungβs, barely beating the crowd.
Veggie Spring Rolls (ηΈζ₯ε·) deep-fried, golden-crisp perfection that disappears in two bites, maybe three if youβre being polite.
Beef Chow Fun (δΉΎηηζ²³) thick rice noodles tangled up with tender beef, sweet onions, and crisp bean sprouts.
Garlic Bok Choy (θθε°η½θ) stir-fried in garlic with just enough oil to make it glisten.
Mu Shu Pork (ζ¨ι‘»θ) with crisp cabbage, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots.
Fueled by spring rolls, noodles, garlic bok choy, and mu shu pork, we returned to the streets to celebrate the Year of the Snake. Exploding fireworks, dragons, and drums filled the night before we grabbed a Lyft to meet with family for dinner and drinks.
Then came dessert. Not just any dessert. Salt & Straw ice cream. If you know, you know. If you donβt, try it, youβll like it. My favorites are chocolate gooey brownie, double-fold vanilla, and cinnamon snickerdoodle.
But the real cherry on top? Bumping into Kathyβs cousin, Mark at SF Jazz. Because thatβs the thing about San Francisco. You never know who youβll run into or where the night will take you.
Saturday night in SF was a blast!
Golden Gate, Birthday Bash, and Baby Onboard β π π
Sunday the action continued with perfect weather for coffee, lunch, sightseeing, and a field trip by the Golden Gate Bridge to Fort Point, a Civil War-era fortress near the southern anchorage of the Golden Gate Bridge designated a National Historic Site in 1970. It was awesome to peek through the brick walls and see the Golden Gate, waves crashing, and history whispering.
Sunday evening was the main event: my momβs birthday. My sister and her husband hosted the celebration in their home with family.
Before the delicious dinner and cake to celebrate my mom, we showered baby gifts on my daughter and her husband, the expecting new parents in the family.
There were hugs, toasts, a pop-up baby shower, pinatas, dinner, and a carrot cake that tasted too good.
If thereβs one thing we do well, itβs honoring lifeβs big moments with love.
Coastal Escape ππββοΈπ.
Our journey continued through Monday on the Presidentβs Day holiday with a quick escape to the coast.
Half Moon Bay gifted us fresh air, ocean views, and Mavericks surfing the wavesβa perfect setting to celebrate family, present, past, and future. We wrapped our reunion with a delicious lunch at Barbaras Fish Trap.
Before a quick flight home to Oregon, we continued to learn about history at the new Rosie the Riveter exhibit at San Francisco airport
Life moves fast, and weβre all just trying to keep up and deal with the chaos, changes, and complexity. But this trip? It was proof that no matter how crazy things get, thereβs always time for family, for adventure, for a damn good meal, and for finding joy in the unexpected.
Until next time, keep exploring, eating, enjoying family, and never say no to ice cream.
What a refreshing perspective! I feel like I have had a mini-vacation now!