San Francisco and Surrounds Sort of Solo - PassPorter Community - Boards & Forums on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel
San Francisco and Surrounds Sort of Solo
About This Page: This is a discussion on San Francisco and Surrounds Sort of Solo within the Globetrotting: General Trip Reports, part of the PassPorter Community - Boards & Forums on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel; Wow--it's been WAY too long since I've been on PP! I think I even failed to write TWO trip reports--a ...
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Wow--it's been WAY too long since I've been on PP! I think I even failed to write TWO trip reports--a Disney report and a Globetrotting report. What is WRONG with me? Either way, I'm back, and I'm getting ready for my next trip--which is in less than a week. So--does anyone want to hear about my plans and/or follow along with me on my trip? If so, raise your hand! And I'll get started on a pre-trip report that will, undoubtedly, turn into a during and after trip report too.
And maybe I need to get started on my last two trips, too!
I was wondering where you went! Ok, bring it on, I'm ready for another TR!
yeah i don't know what happened! i didn't even finish my last disney TR! what the heck?!? it's like i dropped off the face of the earth! it's amazing how busy one can get--and i'm not even technically working right now!
Ok...here it is...the official PTR portion of this PTR/TR! I'm leaving in a little over five days, so I'm going to have to do this speedily! But that's ok, because I PLANNED this trip speedily...so here it goes...
our story begins sixteen days ago, on April 10th, when i found a really great fare from NYC to san francisco...
i knew i needed/wanted to take a trip in may; i'm off from work this year and half of the reason is so that i can travel in the off season. i went to new orleans and on a caribbean cruise late january into early february, WDW late february into early march, DC in april...but i had nothing in may. poor me, right? and after planning--and then canceling--an epic west coast train trip from san diego to seattle, i thought may was approaching too quickly to plan anything. but behold, a low fare to san francisco!
why san francisco? because my oldest friend (not age old, long time old) has lived there for the past ten years and i've yet to visit her. when i took this year off i swore to her i'd make it out there...and then all of a sudden the year was almost over (i'm a teacher, so my years run september to june). after a bit of deliberation, a VERY brief conference with my husband about my trip plans, and a last second google image search of muir woods (go ahead, google image search it), i clicked 'submit' on the flight and was suddenly planning a seven day trip to san francisco.
the plan at that point was to have a relaxing, slow visit. i wouldn't need to rent a car, i'd take my time seeing the sites of the city, and maybe if i was lucky i'd get out to muir woods--only 20 minutes outside the city--for a nature break. nothing epic, nothing excessive, nothing rushed.
Muir woods was where we ran out of time to go. Alcatraz, Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower, Golden Gate Bridge, San Jose and the Winchester Mystery House, San Luis Obispo and the Hearst Castle was a lot to do! Oh, and a trip to Palo Alto. I loved this city it's so pretty!! Take lots of pictures and have fun!!!!
Yeah! I always enjoy your TR's! and.........I have just returned to PP after quite a long time as well .............I know we found each other on another forum (which I will not mention here, because honestly........this is where the best people are.....right here on PP!!!) I look forward to hearing all about San Fran.............another place on my list!!!
Muir woods was where we ran out of time to go. Alcatraz, Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, Coit Tower, Golden Gate Bridge, San Jose and the Winchester Mystery House, San Luis Obispo and the Hearst Castle was a lot to do! Oh, and a trip to Palo Alto. I loved this city it's so pretty!! Take lots of pictures and have fun!!!!
wow--that WAS a lot. is your trip report the one i've been reading on here as research for my own? i think it might be...because i recall looking at the mystery house (and being confused thinking it was in santa cruz when it is in sacramento...?)
and of course i'll take lots of photos. that's half the reason i'm going! ha!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
Yeah! I always enjoy your TR's! and.........I have just returned to PP after quite a long time as well .............I know we found each other on another forum (which I will not mention here, because honestly........this is where the best people are.....right here on PP!!!) I look forward to hearing all about San Fran.............another place on my list!!!
glad you enjoy my trip reports! yes, i agree--the best people ARE here. i've made actual, real life friends on PP. that's why i can't believe i've been away for almost two months! who does that?
so you all knew that there was no way i'd have a relaxing seven days in one place, right? because that's just so not like me. well, here's what happened. first, my local friend suggested we do a day trip up to napa. of course i jumped at that, because it's always been on my want-to-visit list of places and, well, it's ONLY an hour outside of san francisco (which i will refer to as sf from now on, because apparently that's the only acceptable abbreviation).
and then we thought about visiting WINE country and then DRIVING back. and we decided that was a BAD idea. so we booked a room using priceline, turning our day trip into a weekend getaway.
and THEN i was given the opportunity to visit yosemite for near-to-zero dollars. now, i've ALWAYS wanted to go to yosemite. but i ruled it out for this trip because i wanted it to be relaxing and car free (remember?) but i was already renting a car, and this was a once in a lifetime opportunity, right? so i changed my return flight (by buying an additional one way ticket home because that was MUCH cheaper than changing my return flight--ironically.) and turned a seven day trip into a twelve day trip.
ooops.
and THEN i needed a bigger guide book. so i bought a california guide book and started thinking that a trip down the coast would be really nice too!
thus, a giant trip was born. here's the current plan...
wednesday, may 2nd--arrive sfo around 7pm, find hotel and sleep (because to me it will be after 10 and i will have been traveling for over 12 hours between the bus to nyc and the flight)
thursday, may 3rd-saturday, may 5th--san francisco, mostly solo. will meet up with my local friend one or two evenings, but i'm not staying with her (she has a very small apartment and a live in boyfriend so yeah...no.)
sunday may 6th--drive to napa, overnight napa
monday may 7th--still in napa until evening, overnight sf
tuesday may 8th--drive down coast to monterey. from here on out trip is entirely solo.
wednesday may 9th--drive to yosemite
thursday may 10th--yosemite
friday may 11th--yosemite
saturday may 12th--yosemite until mid-afternoon, drive back to sf for red eye flight back to nyc
sunday may 13th--arrive in nyc at 7 in the morning, long bus ride home
wow--that WAS a lot. is your trip report the one i've been reading on here as research for my own? i think it might be...because i recall looking at the mystery house (and being confused thinking it was in santa cruz when it is in sacramento...?)
and of course i'll take lots of photos. that's half the reason i'm going! ha!
glad you enjoy my trip reports! yes, i agree--the best people ARE here. i've made actual, real life friends on PP. that's why i can't believe i've been away for almost two months! who does that?
The Winchester Mystery House in downtown San Jose. My friend wanted to go see it I had no idea what it was or what it was about. It's huge!! The Cliff House has an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean. I wish we went to Sacramento too. I have to say that the Hearst Castle was absolutely breathtaking!! Oh, Lombard Street is very fun driving down! Can't wait to see the pictures!
oh that's amazing! but sadly there's little to no way i'll be able to make it that far south in the time i have. boo! ah well--all the more reason to return. perhaps next time i'll fly into san diego and drive north. and stop at disneyland of course!
Glad to see you back hear, and I'll pretend I didn't see that you and Lisa have been on OTHER BOARDS?!? Excuse me while I get over my vapors......
OK, trip sounds great, and since I love San Fran, Napa and Yosemite, will forgive you for not getting to join the PP meet in DC on May 6!
no! i'm not on any other disney boards. i swear! ok, i tried it once, but i didn't like it (seriously!) PP is my only disney board home, and my favorite board of all time.
thanks for the forgiveness! i hope you have a great meet up! i'll be being driven around napa valley that day so look for some interesting mobile uploads on facebook!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney247
Great start Trac! Let me know when you are thinking about Disneyland . . . I want to go back--maybe after the Carsland craziness dies down.
thanks! and will do--of course. i don't know when i'll have time again to do disneyland/southern california. maybe after i FULLY give up teaching this coming year? ugh...i can't believe i have to go back. boo. ok sorry. self-pity over.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
What a great trip you've got planned! I can't wait to hear all about it.
i'm excited too! and i PROMISE i'll post updates from the road as much as my wifi allows.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lfredsbo
Colleen - oh no! That "board" was not for Disney and it was NOT nearly as welcoming as my PP family!!!
'not nearly as welcoming'. what a nice way to put it.
About This Page: This is a discussion on San Francisco and Surrounds Sort of Solo within the Globetrotting: General Trip Reports, part of the PassPorter Community - Boards & Forums on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel; Wow--it's been WAY too long since I've been on PP! I think I even failed to write TWO trip reports--a ...
.............I know we found each other on another forum (which I will not mention here, because honestly........this is where the best people are.....right here on PP!!!) I look forward to hearing all about San Fran.............another place on my list!!!
DisneyLand too many times to count; DisneyWorld: ('82; '94; '00; '04; '05; '08 - twice!; '10;'11 - twice); DCL (3 ships): ('00, '05, '06, '10, '11); DVC Hilton Head Resort 
I can't wait to hear all about it. 
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