San Francisco and Sacramento Vacation

So last week our family was lucky enough to take a week long trip to northern California to see some sites and visit our good friends the Jeppesens. It was a very fun memorable trip but we became very aware how much more difficult traveling with kiddos is. It all started the weekend before we left Scarlett got a temperature of 102 for the entire weekend and was cutting her upper tooth. But the night before we left she was finally down to a normal temperature and seeming to act better so we thought we were in the clear. We were wrong. Scarlett didn't sleep much at night for the first half of the week which means neither did we which made site seeing and walking around San Francisco a little less awesome. But still well worth it just next time she may be staying at one of her grandparents house.Scarlett helping unpack at the hotel.
Our first day in San Fran was the roughest the airport forgot to load our stroller on the plane so we just went to the hotel to let Scarlett nap then we went and picked it up. We were anxious to go walk around a bit so we just headed out to find some Chinese food for dinner. We headed into Chinatown Area. I let Jon pick...last time that happened. : ) He decided for more authentic Chinese food and we definitely got that. Soo gross and flavorless. We had to stop at Del Taco to fill up. On our way we saw a few naked men in a big protest marching down the street. A little scary.
Day two was much better, still low on sleep and patience for Scarlett because she wouldn't take her bottle or eat much but we saw a lot of fun things. We started by catching the bus not knowing exactly where it would take us. Amazingly we got off right in front of the restaurant we were trying to get to. A tender mercy for us at the time.
Us at Squat and Gobble the food was AMAZING as well as the server so helpful and friendly, I would have gone there everyday! All of the food we had in San Fran was so good (besides the Chinese food). Thanks everyone for all your awesome suggestions. The food was one of my favorite things in the city along with how friendly everyone was. I was thinking people would be rude to tourist but it was the complete opposite. A guy was running to catch a bus saw us looking at our map, stopped to ask if we needed directions.
After our late breakfast we headed down to Ghirardelli Square. We had some yummy ice cream and bought Scarlett some cute toys from a little toy shop in the square Lola's.
They also had a cupcake shop named after me : ) They must have known I was coming!Jon and I down by Fisherman's Wharf and Hyde's Pier. Jon really loved the boats and all the history. It was neat but got chilly.
We took the boat tour around the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Very cool but the fog made it difficult to see the bridge the whole time we were there.
That night we drove over the Golden Gate Bridge to Saucalito for dinner at Sol Food food a Puerto Rican Restaurant. It was so tasty. Thanks again Kels for all your help! They used plantains in a lot of their foods which is basically more starchy bananas. I want to try to make some food with them and see if I can mimic it.
Third day we used our rental car instead of public transit. Made things a little easier on us. We ate lunch at a yummy pizza shop Tony's.
Then drove down Lombard's windy street. Some of their crazy hills made you feel like you were going up and down a roller-coaster. I don't think my old car could cut it there.
My two cuties getting some shut eye in the morning since Scarlett didn't care to sleep at night.
Our foggy view of the bridge.
More of the bay.
On our way out to Sacramento we drove through Napa Valley and saw tons of vineyards.
Getting to Kass and Nate's was a relief because Scarlett finally was acting normal being in a house with space to play and move.
Scarlett and Axel getting cozy. He's so much bigger and such a cutie!
Thursday we got lunch and took it down to the river by them. We just talked and walked around very relaxing.
The next day Jon and I went down to the Jelly Belly Factory to see how jelly beans are made. It was fun.
Scarlett didn't like it when we first put the hat on her. Oh the tears.
That night we went to watch Julia play soccer. It was entertaining to watch her running around the field doing karate moves and being the goofy girl we know and love.
Kass and Nate at the game.
The next day we went out to Tahoe to check things out. We had lunch at a yummy burger joint Izzy's. Then we headed down to Zephyr Cove to hang out on the beach. We found out we were joining a big frat party for people too old to be in college. The water at least was beautiful and it was a nice day.
What a cutie!
Nathan and Julie were the only ones brave enough to swim in the ocean temperature water.
After the beach we went to more family friendly park away from the frat party. The kids played around.
Scarlett loved the swing.
Daddy loves his little girl.
Sunday we drove back to San Fran to fly home. We were able to stop at the Golden Gate Park before we had to catch our flight. It was gorgeous with so much in it. We just wish we had more time to explore it. While we were there there was a cricket game going on and a group of random people mostly bums joined together with instruments for a none stop jam session. You can see them over Jon's shoulder.
We were happy we able to do as much as we did in northern California but I know there was so much more for us to explore. We'll have to go again. Thanks again to Kass and Nate for letting us come hang out with you guys!