Santa Cruz

 

I've really been trying to branch out of SF lately, hence all of my trips to foreign lands (or other cities in the US), but I've really wanted to venture around California since there are so many great places to go within the state! I decided to get together with a few friends and go on a day trip to Santa Cruz. We have a friend who grew up there and showed us all around. The boardwalk and the surf spots along the coast were the best parts. I also could not believe my eyes while driving down Highway 1 to get there. I was amazed that I lived so close to so much ocean! (ha!) I can't wait to go back to Santa Cruz for a surfing trip this time! Something on my bucket list that I really want to do!!

idaho

Nothing is better than homecoming back in my old college town. I was literally there for 10 hours, but I got to see so many people that the short trip was super worth it. It was great to see my sister and cousin and all of my friends that came back for the weekend and especially the leaves!!! Weird i know... but....I love Autumn and I especially love it in Idaho!

Ocean Beach

Us girls had a hard, long day at work one day...so we decided to adventure out to Ocean Beach. We ate at the Park Chalet and enjoyed the wonderful 80 degree weather we were having in the city. The sun just happened to be setting as we were leaving dinner so we took a nice walk along the beach. It was so peaceful and beautiful. Sometimes its hard to imagine I live by all of this beauty! We're thinking we need to do a bon-fire on the beach when the weather starts heating up too!

Oktoberfest in SF

 

October is one of my favorite months of the year and for those who know me know Fall is my absolute FAVORITE season. Because of the 'weak' (the is the truth) fall in the city I have to do anything I can to get closer to the the fall season. Sooo of course when I heard about Oktoberfest in the city I was all in! A group of my friends all met up by the ballpark and went to one of the old pier buildings to celebrate. Oktoberfest was set with a German band, steins, tons of San Franciscans and wonderful weather! Such a great day to celebrate my favorite season in the city.

Emily's 25th!

 

A bunch of us girlies got together a few weeks ago for my friend Emily's 25th birthday party in the city! One of the girls threw an amazing dinner party at her house complete with everything you could ever want made from Pinterest. Sooo awesome! After dinner we hit up Union Street and had a great time bringing in Emily's 25th year!

Forbes Island Party

My roommate is part of the group, Spinsters, here in SF--a group of girls who throw parties and do service work in the city. It's very similar to a sorority, but a great way to meet people you normally wouldn't. They do a lot of functions with The Bachelors of SF, which is a men only group, who pretty much do the same thing. On this particular night, The Bachelors of SF threw a party on Forbes Island.

Everyone told me it's a little island floating outside of Fisherman's Wharf...but I couldn't think of what it could be. Alcatraz? no...something smaller. So, we all walked over together and it happened to be a little island/house boat complete with a lighthouse located right across from the sea lions. I'd seen it before, but had no idea what it was. 

A tiny little boat came to pick up 10 people at a time from shore and shuttled us out there. IT WAS SOOOOO COOOL! We had a complete view of the entire city and you could climb up the lighthouse to have an even better view. All the Bachelors greeted us on the island and we headed down to the underwater bar to get drinks. I really want to go to another party there or just eat dinner because it is such a unique place!

On our way home we stopped at Boudin and got the leftover animal sourdough breads.

Fun night I would say :)

San Franiversary!

[Tipsy Pig Saturday outing with friends]

These last few months have been a world wind of excitement and adventures. I've been trying to focus solely on what makes me happy and have been trying to be a little more spontaneous or 'spur of the moment'--if you will. Not  only have some of the decisions I've made in the past few months been some of the best of my life, but they've created such amazing stories I can carry forever.  I truly do feel like I live in one of the best cities in the world and feel like it is THE best place for me to be right now in life.

It's about to be my 1 year anniversary of OFFICIALLY living in the city and I seriously can't believe how much I've grown as a person in 1 year. Moving here and not knowing a single person has pushed me to my limits, made me take chances, break out of my shell and truly find out who I am as a person-- confident, independent and passionate about life. I love this place, I love where I'm at in life and love all of the people along for the ride with me. Thank you to to a wonderful year post-grad! I couldn't have asked for a better one.

HAPPY San-Franiversary to me :)