Bonjour!
I apologize for being away for so long, but Jill and I had the opportunity to travel to Denver this week for a POP! Social Media seminar with an awesome company based there. We had a wonderful day of teaching and a fun evening spent in an area of the city called Cherry Creek. It was a quick trip, but certainly kept us busy – and it was nice to escape the frigid Chicago weather for a couple of days!
Speaking of warmer temperatures, I wanted to share the next installment of our honeymoon journey to San Francisco and Napa. You can read about Day One here.
Our second day in San Francisco began early on Saturday morning at Sausalito’s Inn Above Tide.
After getting ready for the day, we headed down to the main room, where breakfast is served complimentary every morning for guests.
The spread was absolutely fantastic! Pastries, cereals and oatmeal, plus quiches and fresh fruit – basically, a little bit of everything. I decided to go with a bowl of corn flakes and granola topped with fresh berries and milk, with an apricot scone on the side.
Both were scrumptious. And then we were off…to the Ferry Building Farmers Market!!!!
I want to visit this place every time I see fellow bloggers in San Francisco. I was giddy with excitement at finally having the chance and Bobby was gracious enough to play along with my food nerd self. π
When we got inside, my jaw dropped. Where to begin?! We decided to walk around for a bit and take it all in, but eventually, one thing led to another and these delicious vegan doughnuts caught our eyes.
They are from a store called Pepples Donuts, which uses 100% organic ingredients. We couldn’t resist sampling the blueberry flavor, which was packed with flavor and had a deliciously sweet icing on top.
Our next stop was Frog Hollow Farm, which I had heard from Melissa is home to the best-tasting pears in the world. She wasn’t kidding! They were ridiculously smooth and easy to bite into, with a velvety vanilla texture that made me swoon.
At that point, we were very happy campers.
We continued in the other direction and came across the infamous Cowgirl Creamery!
We sampled a variety of their cheeses – which looked and tasted absolutely incredible – and decided to take home gouda and another creamy variety for a nighttime snack.
Then I scared Bobby when I cried, “Blue Bottle Coffee!!” After reading Jenna’s review and hearing that it reminded her of the coffee she had in Paris, I knew I had to find it. I heart Paris.
We could have stayed at the market forever. Even Bobby was feeling the food…buzz. π
We meandered around the Ferry Building for a while longer, but then it was time for our next adventure. On the way, we decided to stop for lunch at a place called Butterfly near Pier 33.
We weren’t especially hungry after our farmers market fare, but decided to split the Duo of Manhattan and New England Chowders, which came with Crab Louis Stuffed Romaine Hearts.
Each bowl was uniquely sensational. My favorite was the Maryland, which had a rich tomato base. Bobby enjoyed the New England, which had a classic creamy texture. It was the best of both for both of us!
We were also served some fresh edamame, which left us filling completely content.
And then, we were off again…this time to ALCATRAZ!!
We boarded a ferry boat for our tour and had a gorgeous view of the city while en route.
When we got there, we were greeted with a huge piece of history.
The audio tour is an absolute MUST when you visit because it makes the entire experience come alive while you walk along the prison cells.
Just hearing the perspectives of the prison guards, the residents of the island and the prisoners themselves was fascinating. Did you know that there was once an escape attempt where the prisoners created dummy heads to put in their beds?
We would have made the “not-so smart” prisoners club, seeing as how the door was open and all… π
The island itself was also a lot of fun to explore – and extremely windy, too! Note the hair struggles.
We walked around every nook and cranny that was available and stayed until the last boat left.
I mentioned it was windy, right?! By the time we got back to the mainland, it was pouring rain. We decided to nix any further walking plans and headed to a cozy dinner instead. This time, we went for sushi using a Groupon at a place on Potrero Hill called Rocketfish.
We started out sharing a local beer called Anchor Steam. Just what we need after a busy day.
Then it was sushi time!! Our menu choices? Una Unagi (eel, yellowtail, avocado, teriyaki glaze) and Dungeons & Dragons (eel, avocado, crab, cucumber, tempura shrimp)…
Mixed with a little Double Rainbow All the Way (tuna, yellowtail, salmon, white fish, shrimp, avocado, crab meat, spicy tuna, radish. What does it all mean?)…
With an Ebi Lincoln (just honest shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber) and shiitake mushroom (sweet mirin glazed mushrooms) thrown in for good measure. In other words, it was a sushi feast!
I rarely meet a sushi roll that I do not like and this occasion was no exception. But hands down, my favorite was the Dungeons & Dragons roll. You can’t go wrong with that combination!
The rest of the evening was spent watching complimentary movies (yet another awesome amenity at the Inn Above Tide) with a bottle of wine and Cowgirl Creamery cheese. All in all, not a bad day. π
Can’t wait to share the next day’s excitement with you!
Question (well, statement, really): Name one thing YOU’RE excited about this week.
I’m excited about a new project that will be launching Friday. More details to come sooooon!
Abrazos,
this makes me miss san francisco so much! sounds like you guys are having an absolutely amazing time π
It truly was an amazing trip! San Francisco is one-of-a-kind and we already want to plan a return visit!
I loved Alcatraz when I went!
I’m excited about being done with finals!!!
Congrats on finishing! I always loved that feeling. π
Those donuts look amazing!
I showed your post to my husband and I’m pretty sure he started drooling :-p
Haha – love it! π
One thing I’m excited about this week = my upcoming trip this weekend!!! π
Hope you are having a BLAST!
Sounds like a great second day! That is one amazing complimentary breakfast. And I totally want to go to the Ferry Building Farmers Market! I’m sure I went as a kid, but I don’t really remember it. Everything looks amazing- especially your coffee! One thing I’m excited about= more Christmas celebrations this weekend
Have fun this weekend, Erica! π
I had one of Pepples Donuts when I was there, so good!
Looked like you guys had a wonderful time!!
So, so good! I wish they were in Chicago and that if they were, they would replace Dunkin’ Donuts by my apartment. π
I am excited about getting to meet our puppy on Saturday! We wont get him for another two weeks after we meet him, but I can’t wait to finally meet the little furball I’m obsessed with! : )
Aw, this makes me smile. π Have SO much fun meeting your little guy!
Wah, those doughnuts looks amazing!
They truly were! I want to recreate them at home!
My boyfriend’s Christmas party! He decided to have a little impromptu celebration this weekend- you and Bobby should stop by!! π
Aw, I totally would! It’s actually my friends birthday weekend but let me know if you’re serious – haha, don’t want to assume! – and we can see if it will work! π
Yet another fantastic re-cap! That breakfast spread is pretty amazing–particularly considering it was complimentary!
I am excited about seeing White Christmas with my family at the Alabama Theater–it’s a Yoder family tradition:)
Thanks, Caroline! I hope you have a fantastic time at the Yoder family tradition. That sounds exciting! Are you getting pumped for YOUR special day? π
Sound so wonderful! I drag my boyfriend to foodie farmers markets too, and he ends up loving all the samples!
This weekend I’m excited for my mom’s birthday! My dad is cooking for her and we have brunch planned at a CUPCAKE bar!
Exactly! Bobby loves free samples, too. It’s a win for everyone involved. π Happy birthday to your mom – the cupcake bar sounds amazing!
Looks like so much fun. San Francisco is high on my list of places to go on our next vacation.
I “high”ly recommend it! Sorry…I am really bad at resisting puns. π
You two look so cute together!
Oh, and btw… such delicious eats π
Aw, thank you so much! Hope you’re doing well!
looks delicious π san fran is a great place to eat through!
Thanks, Shannon! I completely agree!
Wow – it looks like you and Bobby had such a beautifully wonderful time together. You deserve it! Those eats look great too.
I am excited about Christmas being so soon. I can’t wait to see my family! Though I really need to get my gifts bought. I am SO behind this year.
Aw, thank you, Rose! I totally hear you on being behind – it feels like I am always leaving Christmas shopping to the last minute. Good luck!!
Love the post! π What I am excited about? Seeing you guys next week, of course! This excitement means that I’m reading blogs at work and struggling to pay attention… haha… Looking forward to hearing about Denver – my mom went to Cherry Creek HS!
I am very excited to see you, too! I didn’t know your mom went to school in Colorado – can’t wait to hear more and find out allllll about how mom-to-be is doing. π
Looks like another fabulous day to me!! I loooove when hotels have complimentary breakfast..especially when they have eggs. Hotel eggs are always so fluffy and light!
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[…] person who doles out for the semi-professional photograph with the cheesy foreground. I did it when Bobby and I went to Alcatraz, […]
[…] was like a kid in a candy store the first time I visited, and this time was no different. My mom could also immediately sense just how awesome the Ferry […]