SAN FRANCISCO: BAKER BEACH

"Guys, do you want to see Baker Beach?"

"Like in the Princess Diaries?"

"Yes!"

This is the actual conversation that led us to Baker Beach, late in the afternoon on our second day in San Francisco. The water was far to cold even stick our feet into, but that didn't keep my friends from running into the bay and coming out with numb toes. We were fortunate enough to get to the beach shortly before sunset so we could watch the sun set behind the coast, which, as someone who has lived on the East Coast all my life, I've never been able to see. 

SAN FRANCISCO: STRAWBERRY HILL

Nestled in the middle of Stow Lake, a man-made lake within Golden Gate Park, is Strawberry Hill. Apparently this island is a bit of a hidden gem, according to Samara, who was kind enough to serve as our tour guide for weekend. After crossing one of the two stone bridges that span the lake, we followed a dirt trail that snaked its way around the island, past a Chinese peach pagoda, and to the top of this waterfall that leads into the lake.

And the view from the top of Strawberry Hill was a spectacular one of western San Francisco.

FAKE TALES OF SAN FRANCISCO

I finally made it to San Francisco. I think it's been about a year since I started to speculate about how I'd eventually fly out, see the city, and visit a friend who's there for school. But I finally made it, and I can say with confidence that it's as great as everyone I've spoken to made it out to be. 

We went just about everywhere we could think of: Golden Gate Park, Stow Lake and Strawberry Hill, Baker Beach, Haight-Ashbury, Pacific Heights, Lombard Street, Coit Tower, Fisherman's Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, and our hostel was even right in the center of Union Square. Four days was not nearly enough time, and someone needs to take me back. Like, right now.