As the school year enters its final stretch before the largely anticipated summer break(!), it is always welcome when educators and students alike are able to unwind during break given throughout the year. For myself, my latest spring break was nothing short of needed, rejuvenating and a much deserved break as my fourth year of teaching comes to an almost finish.
This spring break, my husband and I were able to visit San Francisco, California and had a blast! I was born in San Francisco (Fairfield to be exact) and had visited before but this was my husband’s first time visiting and our first major non-family-related trip. Below I have some pictures from our trip and sites you might consider should you plan an excursion to ol’ San Fran:
- The Golden Gate Bridge – Of course, one of the main attractions of San Fran is the stately Golden Gate Bridge. Keep in mind it can get awfully windy in San Fran so you will need a jacket more often than not but it is definitely a site to see if only for its beauty. My husband and I visited as part of a Big Bus tour and there are often side excursions to Muir Islands and Alcatraz. Unfortunately tickets were unavailable for us to visit Alcatraz but it is still a must-see nonetheless!
2. Do a Big Bus Tour! – As I mentioned before, one of our trip adventures included a Big Bus Tour. I know it seems like such a touristy thing to do to sit in those double-decker buses but it’s actually very enjoyable and educational. My husband and I agreed that we learned so much and it made us want to explore our own city of New York even more. I’m sure there’s plenty of history no matter where you go but it did make us appreciate this fact all the more. When we were on the tour we passed by Fisherman’s Wharf, Lombard Street, the house where Mrs. Doubtfire was filmed, various murals and more. The great thing about it too is that you can hop-on and hop-off whenever you want so you’re not purely limited to the bus. My husband and mine’s main venture was the Golden Gate Bridge though!
3. Ride the cable car! – Almost nothing says San Francisco like their famous cable cars and trolleys. After walking through Chinatown one day, my husband and I had to do it so we hopped on to venture down to Ghirardelli and took in the sites! Nice ride with a view, if I do say so myself!
4. Venture into surrounding counties and cities! – My husband’s best friend lived nearby and he’s getting married soon. Luckily for us, his fiance invited us to dinner with her family in Castroville and so his friend drove us around for a scenic tour of Santa Clara and Gilroy. We stopped by the boardwalk and he also took the four of us to Lover’s Point Park. I will say that riding almost anywhere in California can give you beautiful views worthy of camera shots. As you’ll see in the below shots, I had to get the famous dragging husband into the distance shot among others to document our trip.
5. Check out local fares and venues! – My husband and I happened to visit during the Japanese Cherry Blossom festival which was a site to see. We ventured to local Chinatown and Japantown also which was loads of fun exploring other cultures. Again our excursions made me want to check out the local scenes in NYC as we have those sections as well though I don’t visit as much as I see I should. In the following pictures you’ll see I’ve tried hand-rolled ice cream for the first time (amazing!) and found neat trinkets.
6. Eat! Eat! Eat! – Of course with San Fran’s diverse cultures, there’s no shortage of cuisine. My husband and I visited another friend who took us to a Creole restaurant which was nothing short of delicious. We even tried gator nuggets which was interesting. As with any vacation, trying out new foods or even eating familiar ones cannot be taken for granted.
So hopefully my excursions helped prompt you to want to venture out or even re-discover your own towns. I know after this trip, my husband is definitely more gung-ho about visiting other places. I’m excited to see what other adventures awaits us on our next breaks!
Wow, I’m jealous! I wish I was back in school to spring break but I’m a part of the real world now.
Well being a teacher allows for some well-deserved breaks. On your next opportunity to vacation, definitely look into it!
I have not gone to SF in a long time. I went with my mom and my ex like in 2000 lol that was ages ago! Glad you guys had fun at your trip!
Maybe it’s worth another visit soon? But yes, definitely a place I could visit again and again.
Someday I want to visit there! I really want to go over the golden gate bridge – its on my bucket list!
It is quite a sight. You should definitely look into visiting soon!
Those were a perfect place to visit during Spring. I always wanted to visit San Francisco maybe this is the perfect time.
It was. My husband and I had a blast, definitely recommend!
Thanks for sharing these nice spring break ideas. Wish I could have been there.
You should definitely look into a planning an adventure there. It is worthwhile!
This was such a thorough guide! I truly appreciate the effort that you put into making sure you left nothing out, and now I feel like I must visit all of these each year, maybe?! Your photos are stunning as well
Thank you! Yes, California in and of itself is such a beautiful state. Wish I could move there!
I really love the idea of bus tours, it looks so fun. I’m glad you had a great time..!
We did, it is a nifty excursion idea!
San Fran is really a nice place to explore and I am so envy with you on your spring break adventure!
Hope you get to explore soon or have a fun adventure where you are!
I’ll be visiting San Francisco next month! Have bookmarked your post and can’t wait to explore everything!
Nice! Wishing you a fabulous time!
San Francisco looks beautiful or is that your camera? confused…
It is, almost everywhere we went in Cali has the most amazing views!
I’d like to do the double decker bus. I think the hop on and hop off tours might be cool too.
They definitely are!
Never read a post that’s named “how to sprink break” and that’s a lovely idea! So much fun in this guide for everyone!
Thank you, it was a lot of fun!
Lovely pictures. I am a teacher and I know how much we deserve these breaks. Sounds like you had an amazing time. I wish to visit there too.
Yes we do! I hope you are able to visit one day too!
This all looks like great things to do over spring break! I love your photos.
Thank you! It was a lot of fun.
Aww ive always wanted to go to san fran! The pictures look great. Glad you had a great time 🙂
You should go if you get the chance!
A bus tour is always a good idea! We did one in Hawaii. So fun.
It is! I may have to do it wherever we go now!
You and your husband certainly know how to Spring Break!!! I love exploring new cities and towns, especially with my husband too! Now we have a little dude, so while exploring is still on our to do list, we just have to pack an extra backpack, JUST in case – hahaha!
Oh definitely. Travelling with family is so much fun!
Spring break doesn’t have to be crazy party in Miami beach! San fran looks amazing!
It definitely doesn’t lol and San Fran was! It is worth a trip!