anniversary trip to san francisco :: bay area photographer

Coit Tower. Shot with Fuji X100.

If you follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, you may already know that last month, Josh and I headed to the West Coast to celebrate our five year anniversary. I don't know how it took us so long to take a real vacation - we haven't had more than a long weekend of non-working vacation since 2009 - and it was pure bliss.

Since we'd never been to California and just knew we'd love it, we started planning our trip to San Francisco. We filled our days with beautiful scenery, new adventures, and amazing food. After a 5 a.m. flight across the country, we kicked off our trip with a stroll through Chinatown and a Dim Sum lunch...

San Francisco Chinatown. Shot with Fuji X100.

Dim Sum at Great Eastern Restaurant via Instagram.

Shot with Fuji X100.

Shot with Fuji X100.

On our second day in SF, we took the ferry to Alcatraz. We're not usually ones for tours and such, but this one was incredibly fascinating.

Alcatraz. Shot with Fuji X100.

Alcatraz via Instagram.

Alcatraz. Shot with Fuji X100.

... and it had some of the most beautiful views of the city.

View of San Francisco from Alcatraz. Shot with Fuji X100. Processed with VSCO.

Pier 39. Shot with Fuji X100. Processed with VSCO.

Bourbon and Branch via Instagram.

Coit Tower and Haight-Ashbury. Shot with Fuji X100. Processed with VSCO.

Of course, one of my main goals was to see Rainbow Row from Alamo Park and pay homage to the beloved Tanner family... if this scene isn't forever and fondly engrained in your memory, we might not be friends anymore...

Rainbow Row from the opening credits of Full House. Shot with Fuji X100.

Mural. Shot with Fuji X100.

The Japanese Tea Gardens in Golden Gate Park were absolutely lovely. So serene and a nice break from the energetic pace of the city.

Japanese Tea Gardens in Golden Gate Park. Shot with Fuji X100.

After spending a couple of days getting acquainted with the city, we rented a car via Getaround and headed up the Pacific Coast Highway to Point Reyes. I've never seen such a stunning ocean view in my life. California - I love you.

Pacific Coast Highway. Shot with Fuji X100.

Barbecued Tomales Bay oysters at the Marshall Store via Instagram.

After a cheese tasting at Cowgirl Creamery and some oysters straight from Tomales Bay at the Marshall Store, we drove through cattle country to get this quaint little lighthouse.

Point Reyes Lighthouse. Shot with Fuji X100.

Lighthouse at Point Reyes National Seashore. Shot with Fuji X100.

Shot with Fuji X100.

Thanks to the advice of one of our Uber drivers earlier in the week, we skipped Muir Woods, and instead hiked a bit of the less busy Steep Ravine Trial in Mount Tamalpais to see some of the giant redwoods...

Steep Ravine Trail. Shot with Fuji X100.

... and finished a full day with an amazing sushi dinner in Sausalito.

Sausalito. Shot with Fuji X100.

View from the top of Lombard Street. Shot with Fuji X100.

In case you haven't caught on, as with any of our vacations, food was a VERY important part of this trip, and Chile Pies & Ice Cream did not disappoint...

Lemon Buttermilk Pie and Green Chile Apple Pie Milkshake at Chile Pies & Ice Cream. Via Instagram.

The Golden Gate Bridge. Shot with Fuji X100.

Needless to say, we LOVED our vacation and are already ready to plan our next trip. Follow all of our adventures on Instagram! 

Ferry Building and Cable Car. Via Instagram.

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