Saturday, September 14, 2013

Oh Happy Day!: A Celebration in the City

Last month my friend and I took a much belated trip to San Francisco for my birthday. It had been over a year since the last time I was in the area - so I was beyond ecstatic to come back "home". Living there for two years had given me so many wonderful memories and a "local's inside" to all the great places in the city. I was so excited to share my favorite spots with my lovely friend. Here are some photos from the trip. Enjoy!
*Notes and details are below after photos



*Photos 1-3: My friend and I had to make a pit stop in Berkeley. Since going to college there I always feel this overwhelming draw to the charming city. We went to a local gourmet ice cream shop that is frequented by locals and college students. Everything on the menu changes daily in accord to the local ingredients - ice cream made fresh daily! [Ici Ice Cream - Berkeley, CA]
*Photos 4-5: Since we were in Berkeley I thought it necessary to show off my favorite library and gate on campus :) ! [University of California, Berkeley - Berkeley, CA]
*Photos 6: Tartine Bakery! No words can describe how much I love this spot in San Francisco. It is the cutest little french bakery right in the heart of the Mission. I use to go to this place practically every Sunday morning - I order a morning bun and a Four Barrel Coffee every time! [Tartine - Mission District, San Francisco, CA]
*Photo 7: Dolores Park - home of the trendy coffee drinks and recreational sports enthusiasts. We walked here from Tartine and spent a good time people watching and enjoying the rays!
*Photo 8: We drove towards the other side of town to Crissy Field- a wonderful spot to picnic underneath the Golden Gate bridge. That is, if you can handle the wind ;)
*Photo 9-10: Heading back to the Sunset district near Golden Gate Park, we decided to grab a coffee at Trouble Coffee and take a peek into General Store. After obsessing over these spots from afar (at home in Orange County), I finally made it out to these amazing little gems. [Trouble Coffee & General Store - San Francisco, CA]
*Photo 11: I had an amazing birthday dinner at Uva Enoteca. If you are ever craving Italian in the Haight/Ashbury area make sure to check out this spot. [Uva Enoteca - San Francisco, CA]
*Photo 12: No birthday is complete without dessert. This amazing ice cream spot is a favorite of mine and to many locals who live in Hayes Valley. This little gem makes the ice cream with liquid nitrogen right in front of you! Not convinced yet? They make their ice cream only with the best local ingredients -yummy! [Smitten Ice Cream - San Francisco, CA]
*Photo 13-14: You haven't lived if you haven't tried Philz Coffee. I first was introduced to the amazing coffee shop in Berkeley. With many locations in the Bay Area - it has become a great hit. We made sure to get our last cup before heading back on the road again to Southern California! [Philz Coffee -San Francisco, CA]