San Francisco, CA.

Day 14

Only a little hungover from the previous night of wine drinking, we load up the car and head on the road for the short trip to San Francisco. Traffic, however, had other plans for us, as it took us almost an hour to cross the Oakland Bay Bridge, the view, however, made it slightly worth it. We took the time to search up a lunch spot, and came across Yelp reviews for a deli near our Airbnb that made sandwiches almost the size of your entire arm! We had to try them with those raving reviews and so we made our way to Little Lucca in South San Francisco and although the shop was little the line was long. All sandwiches are prepared with: mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, red onion, lettuce, tomato, hot pepper sauce and the original garlic sauce—which is literally to die for. 

GIGANTIC Sandwich from Little Luca

Lucca Combo: mortadella, provolone, salami and extra pepperoncini on top (with mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, red onion, lettuce, tomato, hot pepper sauce and the original garlic sauce)

Bellissimo! I got the Lucca Combo: mortadella, provolone, salami and extra pepperoncini on top. The rest of the group got some form of the same with their own choice of deli meat. This was definitely, one of the best sandwiches I have eaten in my life, however, it is way too big, so the rest will have to be saved for drunk Claire later tonight. 

After dropping off our stuff at the Airbnb, we head to downtown San Fran to walk around and do some exploring. We started in Chinatown, and boy, even though I knew there were a lot of hills everywhere, I did not expect how much I would have to climb. It is also very busy, definitely tourist season in early July, the shops and storefronts remind me of Toronto’s Chinatown except with more narrow streets. 

San Fransisco Chinatown

Diabetes on a tray

Seeing as it was too early to go to dinner, but the group was feeling a little peckish we happened upon The Baked Bear, an over-the-top ice cream shop. Doreen and Jon share blackberry crumble ice cream, sandwiched between a glazed donut coated in mini M&M’s and topped with blue simple syrup and powdered sugar, enough to give you diabetes in one bite! 

Graham and I decide to go to a bar for a quick drink at the Comstock Saloon, a place Jon had been to before with his family. With a quaint historical vibe, we sip on some Moscow mules and margaritas. 

Finally, we go to the House of Nanking for dinner, which is another spot Jon had been to with his family, a popular Chinese restaurant in San Fran. We got there at the perfect time because right after there were people lined up at the door. We get all the popular dishes to share: fried shrimp packets; Famous Nanking sesame chicken—crispy chicken tossed in signature Nanking honey sauce served with sweet potato; crackling beef—tender slices of beef wok-tossed with crispy rice, onions, basil and Chinese spices; and house noodles—freshly made thin egg noodles, cooked al dente, tossed in sesame sauce with Asian spices and garlic veggies. Of course, we paired everything with steamed rice on the side. 

House noodles—freshly made thin egg noodles, cooked al dente, tossed in sesame sauce with Asian spices and garlic veggies

Crackling beef—tender slices of beef wok-tossed with crispy rice, onions, basil and Chinese spices

Famous Nanking sesame chicken—crispy chicken tossed in signature Nanking honey sauce served with sweet potato

Stuffed from dinner we somehow find some room for bubble tea before heading back to the car to see the sunset from the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a beautiful sunset as we threw around the football at Crissy Field. 

Once the sun has gone, it's time to get back to our Airbnb as there was a brewery in the walking distance. At last, no one would have to drive and we could drink all we want. Armstrong Brewing Company was the basement of a building, cozy with a bunch of board games. We play Blob while sipping on our milkshake IPAs and sours. Apparently the owner is known for putting crazy things in his beer while it is fermenting, such as pounds of peach rings! The bar gets ready for closing we head back to the Airbnb and devour the rest of our sandwiches before bed.

View of Golden Gate Bridge from Crissy Field

Day 15

Chorizo, Al Pastor, Carnitas and Lengua Tacos

The next day, Jon and Doreen’s friend from university, Raffi, was taking us on a grand tour of the Golden State. Seeing as the Raptors had also just won, I debated wearing my merch but thought otherwise as I didn’t want to get heckled at by some sore losers. 

The bright sun is out and it is a beautiful day to be exploring the city. First, Raffi takes us to the Mission district where the Latin community thrives, to get some tacos. We go to El Farolito Mexican Restaurant and there is a line out the door to order. Everyone gets what they want from the short menu choosing their meats and how they want them wrapped: burrito, quesadilla, tacos or enchiladas. 

I get the regular tacos (if you do not know my now, I love tacos) with chorizo, al pastor, carnitas and lengua, smothering them in the house salsa, as well adding cilantro and onions. They are much more filling than I expected and I have to get Graham to help me finish them. 

Next stop, Twin Peaks, a classic tourist destination to view the city from above. The view was amazing, but the wind was blowing so hard by the time we got down my hair looked as if I had been put in front of a giant industrial-sized fan. Raffi then takes us not too far to Haight-Ashbury, some say it’s the birthplace of hippies. The street is lined with eclectic restaurants, cafes and shops. We all get a coffee and window shop before sitting down at a bar to grab a pint. Once we finish our beers, we are taken down the street to Golden State Park to see the Japanese botanical gardens. 

Once we entered it was a whole other world, transported right then and there to Japan. With Bonsai trees all around, bamboo and Japanese architectural structures, it was extremely peaceful. Golden State Park was so big and so well kept it reminded me of the parks in Paris and made me envious that we didn’t have anything similar in Toronto. From there we went to Lands End to get another view of the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as the vast Pacific Ocean. The sun was glistening off the water, and we were soaking in every last drop. 

Japanese Botanical Garden

View from Lands End

The last stop in San Fran is The Original Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop at Ghirardelli Square and we get there by driving very slowly down Lombard Street, the famous winding road. Even though the wait line was long, they tide you over giving out small squares of chocolate before you get to order. Everyone chooses their poison ranging from crazy topped ice cream sundaes and shakes. I get the sea salt caramel banana Shake and share it with Graham since it is too, too decadent. It’s a vanilla milkshake blended with Ghirardelli’s dark chocolate sea salt caramel squares and banana, topped with whipped cream, sea salt and caramel sauce. This is definitely enough to hold us until dinner. 

Tuna Poke with a poached egg, green onions, avocado, onions, eel sauce from Kemuri

We go back to our Airbnb to freshen up before meeting Raffi in Redwood City where he grew up. He takes us to three different spots near the main strip. Kemuri, a modern Japanese restaurant specializing in izakaya. Then, a Mexican restaurant Milagros to meet up with his friend and have some pitchers of margaritas. Finishing off at The Sandwich Spot which apparently serves up some nice, you guessed it, sandwiches. However, Raffi takes us to experience his typical Friday night as a teenager in high school by getting us some hookah to enjoy. As the Arabian music blasts, we stay and talk into the late hours of the night, deciding to call it since we are trekking to Yosemite the next day. Thanks to Raffi we were able to hit most of the tourist spots in one day!