At the end of July I took a solo trip to the bay area. Partially spurred by cheap plane tickets, the dream of visiting Americas ballparks and the urge to see Rose and Kyle.
Everything came together perfectly for an unforgettable whirlwind weekend.
On Saturday morning, Kyle and Rose drove up from Salinas CA and picked me up at the San Francisco airport. We parked by the Giant's AT&T stadium and walked down passed the piers.
We saw a huge farmers market, historical piers, big boats, sea lions, street performers, 1920's trolleys, Iconic buildings, chiming clock towers, and a pier dedicated to the Americas Cup race that was happening while we were their. I think the New Zealanders won.
From the Lexus/Louis Vuitton Americas Cup pier, we could see the famed Alcatraz prison.
And at Pier 39 there is an Alcatraz gift shop that looks like a prison with every kind of black and white striped apparel you could want.
"There's Coit Tower!" Kyle jokingly reminded me several times just in case I missed it the first twenty times he pointed it out.
The Famous Pier 39.
It was super busy with loads of fun gift shops to check out and good restaurants.
That was the end of the trail for us. We were pooped so we took a vintage trolley back to AT&T Park. While we were waiting for the trolley a guy in an Oregon Duck jersey came up and asked "when does the MAX comes?" Oh Portlanders! Rose and I reminded him that he was in San Francisco and that the appropriate name is the BART system and that we were waiting for a trolley. So we got on the MAX, I mean the trolley, and rode squished up together back to the stadium.
The San Francisco Giants AT&T Park definitely has the most gorgeous view from the nose bleed seats. The outside is really nice as well, it has this old warehouse, pier, mission, California architecture that fits the area so well and has its own grandeur. The Giants fans are a bit lacking in enthusiasm, but this is definitely not the same team as last year. The wave only went 1/3 of the way around the stadium and our section just gave up after a few attempts at it. Oh well, we had a great time, even though the Cubs won 1-0
After the game we drove back to Salinas where five star accommodations were awaiting me at The Beautiful Casa Delancey. The staff barked out big welcomes when I walked through the door. That's Blanche on the left and Sassy on the right.
On Sunday morning after having a delicious breakfast in adorable downtown Salinas, Rose and Kyle drove me up to Oakland and dropped me off at O.Co stadium. The Oakland Athletics fans are incredible for west coast fans. They love their A's and with good reason, these guys are awesome. I had a great seat, 7 rows behind home plate for only $35, what a deal!
This game was so much fun I wanted to come back the next weekend. The A's made a new fan that day, and won the game against the Angels 10-6
I was just about to leave when I realized it was run the bases day at O.Co stadium.
Oh my gosh!
But of course I took my time and savored every moment on that field.
That TWA bag is my purse and my luggage, impossible right? But it worked out great.
Fortunately, BART's Airbus leaves straight from the stadium to the Oakland airport, and I was back in Portland by 10pm Sunday night.
What a great weekend. A real dream come true.
