This has nothing really to do with Carlsbad real estate, other than, perhaps, a suggestion for something to do.

I just got back from a mini-vacation in San Francisco. Yep, took the phone and laptop so I was not completely at rest, but with coverage in place for my listings, and great connectivity, it was easy to play…although NOT so easy to stay away from blogging. Not being near a computer for many hours at a time helped. But the blogging addiction was apparent.

Gotta get my blogging dose in so here’s a replay of the trip.

For anyone heading to San Francisco, there is an amazing array of fun things to do, depending on what floats your boat and your budget. The city is a terrific place to walk around in, and the public transportation is great, but a trip outside the city is well worth the time. Anyone who has been there knows what I mean. This city captures my heart again every time I visit…especially when visiting with someone I love deeply. :)

First off…I would normally NEVER EVER write something positive about my plane trips. Just doesn’t happen. Ever.

Virgin America changed all that. $79 roundtrip each from San Diego to SFO. On-time, the best customer service I have seen in a while, cool colors in the plane (mood lighting with pinks and purples that vary with the time of day), leather seats, and state-of-the art touch screen technology with personal entertainment systems at each seat – music videos, music, movies, TV, chat with neighbors at another seat, and WWW access coming soon. Check out their website – very cool. They fly between Seattle, Las Vegas, LA, SFO, San Diego, NYC and Washington, DC for now.

So here’s a recap:

• On-time quick trip to SFO via Virgin America for far less than the cost of gas
  
• 45 minute ride on the BART to Powell Stop (3 blocks from hotel) – THE BEST way to get around the city, and another gas savings - no cable cars this time, the wait is too long at the main stops because of the tourists.
  
• Stayed at the Villa Florence just ½ block from Union Square in the heart of the best shopping/gallery/eating area – great restaurant there called Kuleto’s (Northern Italian)
  
• Discovered a new vodka for my cosmo – TRU vodka – all organic, and the hotel bar donates a dollar for every drink made with TRU to save local trees
  
• Explored more stores and galleries than I can name but a few stand out – Gumps, Manika (jewelry, but we were only looking, for now), Virgin Records, an open-air art show at Union Square
  
• Rented a car at discount rentals on Mason for the day trip – OK so we used some gas, but it was an economical car
  

Here is a terrific way to explore Marin County just over the bridge

• Day trip:
  • A quick drive down the crookedest street in the world - Lombard Street
  • A beautiful drive through the Marina District, the Presidio and over the Golden Gate Bridge
    
  • Being a tourist in Sausalito for an hour or two
    
  • Muir Woods – home of 1000 year old Redwoods, incredible serenity and beauty for $5 (only the cost of your grande latte at Starbucks)
    
  • Mountain Home Inn on Mt. Tamalpais with fabulous views of the entire bay area for lunch (we were there 18 years ago)
    
  • sat on the beach at Stinson Beach in 96 degree heat
    
  • took an amazing drive through Point Reyes National Park all the way out to the lighthouse with incredible vistas and an amazing coastline. Thank goodness so much has been done to preserve this wilderness
    
  • Dinner at the Stinson Beach Grill – very charming seaside town at the edge of large hills
    

Next day...

• A visit to one of our favorite gallery, Arthaus, in SOMA to see good friends
  
• Wonderful dinner at Anzu at the Hotel Nikko
  
• A step back in time with a live concert by Ashford and Simpson at Rrazz at the Nikko
  
• A very late night visit (1 AM) to Space Gallery
  

On Saturday

• Breakfast at Café Bean for terrific Dutch pancakes
  
• Several hours at the best Farmers’ Market I have ever seen on the waterfront at the Ferry Building in downtown San Francisco. Lots of organic farm produce, and food to suit just about every taste
• Popped into the Hyatt and took at look at the sky-high lobby - remember the movie High Anxiety?
  
• A last visit to Union Square where we discovered, and enjoyed, the Taiwanese American Cultural Festival – what fun in such an international city. Check out the short video of the kids.
  

We covered lots of ground but had an amazing time. Hope you enjoyed just a few suggestions of some very neat things to do in San Francisco. The weather was amazing – so different from the fog and chilly air one often experiences there.

The housing costs are high but the trade off is the opportunity to live in an incredibly diverse and vibrant area. The market has shifted some in the last couple of years, so if you are thinking about moving there, give me a shout – I know a number of great agents there who would go out of their way to assist you.

Enjoy the Slide Show!