8.30.2009

san francisco kinda sucks.

so, i hate to focus on the negative, because, throw me a bone, NO ONE wants to hear someone gripe. So, I will just tell you a few not-so-awesome things about san francisco...then focus on what we liked!




{1} um. hi. if we are going to pay an arm and a leg to eat at a restaurant over looking the bay, please at least serve us edible food. and, srsly, no one wants to see two 13 year old girls playing tonsil hockey whilst massaging each other's butts while eating not-so-edible, overpriced crap.

{2} we don't like almost getting in car accidents...8 times in 20 minutes,.

{3} hearing people yelling and cars squealing at 3 AM is...awesome. Not.

{4} we would rather be surrounded by masses and masses of people in disneyland. just sayin'.

{5} paying almost 50 dollars for overnight parking was pretty much the stupidest 50 dollars i have ever spent in my entire life. i wish i had spent it on costa vida.



now, for things we liked...




being a lovers of all types of chocolate, we knew it was necessary for us to visit good old ghiradelli square. don't get all "oh em gee, lauren...that is so touristy of you!" yeah...i know. we were tourists....so we acted like sheep, and followed the flock :) we needed to wash down that sicknast dinner with something sinful. and since we choose to not watch R-rated movies...we stuck with the dark chocolate brownie sundaes...
Align Center

um hi whipped cream. i'm lauren and i want you to "get in my bellay!" kthanxbye!



like how i am posing with my sundae like we are best friends? yeah...well, it's because we are.
best friends that eat each other. awesome.


the tedward gave it a rating of: "those are the freakin' best things ever"
i concur, my lovah. too bad we left the leftovers in the hotel fridge. drat!



speaking of the hotel...i loved our hotel room.
did i tell you all of our hotels upgraded us because we told them we were on our anniversary?
yeah...they did. i hearted this room. mostly because their was a polka dot pillow on the bed.


if you were wondering if i am slightly twitching because i forgot to turn on one of the lamps for the picture, i am. also, if you were wondering if that Smart Water on the bedside table was 6 bones, it was. um hi...you can buy a costa vida burrito for that. holla!




i liked the shutters. and the table skirt on the table...because i knew my mom would think it was cute. mom...you think it is cute, right? good...because i think it is sorta lamespice.
loveyoukaybyeeee!



we went to bed at 8 PM. yes...we are an elderly couple. ok. mostly because we were annoyed with san francisco and thought if we slept it would magically transport us to disneyland.


didn't work...but we did have an EXTRAORDINARY breakfast at the restaurant in our hotel...

I was happy and excited.




and the tedward had a query: "and why do i look like i have makeup on?"
hmm...i dunno. why don't you eat up and i'll tell ya!


oh you wanted a close up of what i got? okey dokey smokey...
Cinnamon French Toast of Awesomeness...aint no thing. aint no thing.



after breakfast we decided to ace the place.
so i took pictures of my favorite part of the city...
the architecture!


did you all know i am a design major and am obsessed with architecture?




well...i am.




peace out san francisco...

82 awesomespice comments:

Alexandria said...

Ah man! I am so sorry you didn't love San Francisco. I love it there! Let me guess was the restaurant Spago's or Spanger's?

Ghiradelli sundaes are awesomespice for realzzz!!
Yum, yum, yum!

Super cute hotel room! Yay for anniversary upgrades!

Alexandria said...

Whoooo....I was first!!

Natalie Ann Ingram said...

Jack and I went on our honeymoon to San Fran mostly because we got a free trip and hotel room....but yeah....it was not my favorite place in the world. You look adorable by the way and your ranting was not so bad.

Laura Sue said...

i'm surprised! i always thought san fran would be a cool place -- obviously NOT!!!

oh my -- those dark chocolate brownie sundaes are making my mouth waatterrrr!!

did you know -- i'm a design major!
i <3 architecture!!!

Whitney said...

I want that sundae right now. Cute hotel room.

tharker said...

Dang it, why did you have to show those sundaes? It's 10pm and now I'm starving, and because I live 1000 miles from SF, I can't have one. Thanks ;)

Oh yeah, thanks for showing that delicious looking French Toast too. That totally made me feel better.

I'm just kidding. Basically I'm just a big pregnant lady who wants to eat everything...especially really yummy food featured in this post.

Lauren Curleyhair said...

sounds like fun! i dont really like any of the over-populated places in cali. I know.. weird right? I like the random places like the olive pit restaurant in the middle of no where, but i do like myself a good chocolate anything...mmm

Lauren Curleyhair said...

oh yeah! i saw nancy face at her home ward today, while i was welcoming home a missionary(randall lunt)I wanted to walk up to her and be like NANCY FACE!! I know you! kind of... haha

Marci Darling said...

I'm sorry that San Fran was sucky.

but, that chocolate sundae looks like
it made the stop worthwhile :D

J and L Palmer said...

i haven't read your other posts underneath.. i will after this, but i'm starting to wonder why you went to san fransisco?? i've been there once for efy.. don't ask... but we went to ghiradelli's also, and it was awesome!... we saw a lot of bums and smelly people.

Shayla said...

Oh I'm SO sad! I lived in the bay for 10 years. I ♥ San Fransisco. You should have gone to the Cheesecake Factory on top of the giant Tiffany & Co. Um, it's amazing! Or at least had a moderately priced clam chowder bowl on Pier 39. Sorry you didn't have time to fall in love with it, I'll totally agree that there is an overwhelmingly amount of girls and guys "playing tonsil hockey whilst massaging each other's butts" So lame. Please at least tell me you met the smelly seals & sea lions at Fisherman's Warf!?

Sean and Steph said...

It's true, San Fran sucks, but at least you got to focus on some high points!! LOVING your photo trip up the coast, keep it coming!

amy j. said...

Please tell me you at least got to see the Golden Gate Bridge!

San Fran is WAY more fun when you're visiting someone who lives there or are on a school trip because then all of the transportation crap etc is done for you! I've been there twice & loved it both times, but again, probably because I didn't have to deal with the annoyingness.

uhski said...

that's my kinda breakfast. the only thing that would make that better was if it was breakfast for dinner. brinner.

i want.

now.

end scene.

KatOfDiamonds said...

As a fellow chocoholic I approve of your best friend choice =D yummmmm

Clint &amp; Alicia McLaws said...

I'm SO SAD that you didn't completely love San Francisco. I was born there, and I LOVE IT! It is my single most favorite city EVER! Boston is a close second ;) I do agree though...that sometimes the food in good ol' SF is OVERPRICED! My family and I spent $120 on nasty chinese food in China Town once. Never.Again.

chazandamber said...

Lauren! My husband and I did the pacific coast hwy drive in May! We went all the way to Vancouver (during new moon filming btw) and drove home! Best vacation ever! The funniest thing is that San Fran gave us such a headache we just kept driving thru it! I feel ya on this post!!

Marissa said...

That sundae looks AMAZING!

Cynthia said...

We took that exact road trip on our 5th anniversary oh so many years ago. We got a little woozy on Highway 1 and price of parking was outrageous then too.

Nancy Face said...

OF COURSE I like the shutters and cute checkered table skirt! The red lamp shade, too!

Duhspice.

Connie said...

Why didn't I think to get a sundae when I was there? Blast! That looks to die for.
No rated R movies!! Holla!
I had to do a double take at that last picture... looked like something out of an 1900's photo album... LOVE IT! Love you! You're so dern cute.

Bethany said...

So I have always wanted to go to San Fran for the shopping and the food...too bad you had a bad experience with some of the food! I am also obsessed with architecture and those pics are amazing! Hey if you need any books let me know and maybe I can sell them to you or let you borrow them if I still want them?! I changed my major..

Sarah said...

Ghiradelli Chocalate, awesome breakfast, & a hotel room upgrade can always turn a bad stay in San Fran into a good stay in San Fran!

Ashley said...

That totally sucks that you guys didn't love SF. I went there last month and loved the city from the very moment I stepped off the plane.

The architecture is magnificent and you captured it beautifully in your pictures. You really are such an talented photographer.

The Palmers said...

ahhhhh... Hotel Upgrade!!! LUCKY i totally tried that and it didn't work for me! maybe this anniversity?!?! That room is fabulous! BTW: luv ur pics

artmeetsawesome said...

i love, love, love, LOVE your hair!!

Alice said...

Hi Lauren! I love your tripreport! I plan to visit California one time and you're giving some really good honest advice. And you're funny...that always helps. Makes me think my own vacation will be funny too, just because you were there being all funny and stuff.

Meghan O said...

It doesn't help that I'm hungry right now and that I'm looking at that scrumptious sundae and delectable french toast

Yvonne said...

Growing up in the Bay Area, we would go to SF every other weekend, so I LOVE SF. But, I understand your complaints.

Ghiradelli chocolate is great.

Love the hotel room--and that French Toast--YUMMY!!!!

Evan said...

I love your new blog layout. It is so clean and simple. Very nice!

Knot said...

Come on! NOTHING about SF sucks.

Evan said...

And I know its no good to say "woulda shoulda coulda", but you really shoulda gone here whilst in san frans: http://www.citizencake.com/

The lady that owns this place has been on Top Chef masters as well as some Food Network cake challenges. Awesome! That's about the only reason I want to go to that place. I mean really, who (besides my civil engineering husband) cares about that bridge?

aurora said...

Sure the architecture is pretty and the hotel room is way cute, but I am in love with that french toast picture!!! :D

Happy Anniversary!

Oh, and can you share how your pics are posted with rounded corners? So pretty.

Amber W. said...

"Why don't you eat up and I'll tell ya..." I wish more people quoted that movie. Classic!

Tracy said...

Sorry San Francisco wasn't your fav. - maybe you would have changed your mind if you had a chocolate filled crissant- that was my favorite part! deliciousness!

-Btw, I love the fact that even though you and Ted are both so busy you made the time to go on a sweet vacation!

Katie said...

Oh Lauren, you kinda just hurt my soul! I love SF! I'm glad you were honest but I'm sad you couldn't experience it as I did. My vision of it is probably skewed because I went Senior year of HS when my dad took me on his business trip. He took me to a lobster dinner (I love lobster), tea at a fancy hotel, Chinatown and we hit some beaches outside of the city as well as finding a cute restaurant on the other side of the bridge. OH and Ghiardelli's OF COURSE. That place is a slice of heaven on earth.

Sorry it wasn't the best part of your trip but I'm glad everything else has sounded wonderful so far. <3

Cherie said...

See, you just needed to ask some of us who really know San Francisco the things to do there. It looks like you missed the best stuff in the city!! So sorry - SF really is a cool place!!

Brittany and Johnse said...

I haven't been to SAN FRAN since I was 10..i have been really wanting to go...BUT now I might be re-thinking that!

Lauren said...

I'm so bummed you didn't like San Fran. My cousin just went there and loved it. I was thinkin I'd talk Dus into a future anniversary trip there..
but those chocolate sundaes might be worth the masses of people!!
Love the polka dot pillow! It screams "Law-ren!"

Bella said...

The anniversary thing is a really good tip! :-)

You take fabulous pictures, Lauren! What I've always wondered is how you make those pictures with a kind of black shadow on the sides? Do you add that later?

That breakfast looks de.li.ci.ous!

Marianne said...

Not sure I ever want to go back to San Fran after reading your post! The last time I was there my Dad and brother would not let any of us out of the car! We just drove around and "saw" things and headed to Santa Cruz beach where it was "safe"!

Lisa said...

I love SF. So sad you didn't. I love Ghiradelli and Pier 39. I've never spent the night there, though. We've lived near by, but we always do touristy things! When I was a 20'ish (that was a long time ago) we went into a Limited that was two stories big. I LOVED it and took lots of pictures, then spent lots of money.

CA traffic is lame everywhere. :(

Busy Bee Lauren said...

FYI...Please don't be discouraged by my post. I think if you want to go there, you should! We both hated it, but we both agreed that if we had a few days there we would have liked it better. See...we weren't even there for 24 hours.

Jensen Family :) said...

Hey Lauren, Your trip looks so wonderful even if San Fran is gross. I had to look up your honey lime chicken buritoe recipie today, I found it ! YAY!

omar said...

"no one wants to see two 13 year old girls playing tonsil hockey whilst massaging each other's butts"

I bet there are a lot of 13 year old boys who would disagree with you on this.

little ms. sassy shelby said...

Those brownie sundae things look bomb. So tasty! Your hotel room is adorable and I'm in love with all your beach pictures. Le sigh! I need a vaca, a little breaky break.

Ann Marie said...

LOL at Omar! :)

I laughed through the whole " not so favorite things.. " I havent been there.. but it hasn't been in a top place for me to go because of some of the things that you stated..

The hotel room is so you! ~ And I am glad that you found things to see on the BRIGHTSIDE of SF!

Nick &amp; Kristin said...

even though it's not fun to hear MOST people gripe, it's always fun to hear your gripe because it's 10 times more hilarious!

Jen said...

Yep, I visited SF once. You summed it up perfectly. I am totally drooling over your brownie sundae and french toast breakfast!!!

Alice said...

I am planning a trip to San Fran for my Birfday....a stop at Ghirardelli has made the list of must haves. And are you for serious the hotel charged $50 for overnight parking? what the freak!! Where did you stay? Was it awesome besides that?

Sunny Tuesday said...

Sad... San Francisco is one of my all-time favorite cities! We got the City Pass since we were there for a week ($59 includes admission to 5 attractions plus unlimited public transport). We took all public transportation because driving in SF is NOT awesome. We toured Boudins which was AH-mazin. We rode the cable cars a bajillion times (see City Pass) and went to Chinatown which I lurved. Also, we ate It's It Sammiches, which were lovely. And we stayed at Beresford Hotel which was a major throwback. The bed had a headboard AND a footboard and srsly, when's the last time you saw a footboard in a hotel? Methinks you need a do-over.

angieinpink said...

i have the theme song to full house in my head after that post.

ps: glad you had fun.

angieinpink said...

er...minus san fran.

Rachel said...

That.milkshake.looks.awesome! :)

Natalie Ann Ingram said...

Lauren...I have to say it is very nice to have you back in technology land.

also....a few days in San Fran does make it better....unless it is raining the entire time and in January. So a few days extra in the summer where there is no rain would make san fran much better.

Rugergirl said...

So when are you going to post the FORKS stuff. My sister and I are heading out that way on Sept 12-13 and need some fun stuff to look at. I heard it was Stephanie Meyer Day...so we HAD to go...

JustRandi said...

You are SO maxin' your photography skills! I love it!

And now I'm hungry, again. Thanks for that!
;)

Stacy Dean said...

Whoa... I have been away for a little too long. Leave Laurens blog for 2 weeks and then you go and get all awesome on me. Soo...that looks like the coolest trip ever. I would assume you made it around oregon coast- Holla! {represent} ANyways, Love the pics. And I just have to say, I love that you are always cute. Srsly. It takes a lot of will power for me to even put on eye liner and you just make cuteness look easy and fab. Welcome back!

Molly said...

*Sigh* YOu always look so pretty, Lauren!!

sweet nectar sara said...

we too were in the san fran 2 weeks ago and i was a little eh about the city itself too. the parking $$$ - lame! the noisy while trying to be elderly and get some sleep - lame! BUT the positives for us were definitely alcatraz and we went and saw wicked, which were both fun. oh, and the GIANT bag of chocolates i came home with :)
and PS, i took a picture of that same building in your first architecture pic!

ashley and wes said...

have been DYING to go to san fran :)
love your pictures... they look great! youre adorable :)

JT, Britt &amp; Bella said...

Ahhh! I love those pictures of the buildings! I want to go to san fran.. my parents have gone a couple times, they love the chocolate too! My dad got hit on a lot though he he :)

The Gomes Family said...

I agree, Frisco is a bit off the charts and the girl kissing is nasty! Any who, I loved the pictures! You did great! The bad driving is what we call Bay Area drivers and they are migrating my way because the cost of living is cheaper here then there!

Allison said...

That sounds fun! I don't like some of the stuff in San Francisco...but some stuff (such as CHOCOLATE) are awesome. Koodos to you for an awesome room!

RatalieNose said...

I like when you rant.
Those pictures are exquisite.

alyssabender1 said...

Mmmmmmmmm the food pics looked yum yum yummy.
Loved the editing of your architecture pics!
And I agree, the table skirt was lamespice.

Shannon said...

Your ranting is still much better than...well...most people's non-ranting on their blogs. :)

And now I srsly want some chocolate. Or french toast with bananas. But not the table skirt.

Erica &amp; Albert said...

I better not tell the hubby about this post, he'll just say "see I told you it was dumb!" since I have been wanting to go and he doesn't like it.

My pregnant belly rules most things these days though, and right now it is telling me to hop in my car and drive there just for those heavenly looking sundaes!

You look cute in all those pictures. And the buildings are amazing

Megan Wolf said...

So I have to say that this post made me beyond sad! I've been following your blog for a while now and think both you and it are fabulous with a capital fabulous..... but I am a born and raised San Francisco girl and it completely hurts my heart that you guys didn't have a great time. It truly is a great city, so much art, culture, shopping, and great food! I'm sad you didn't have the best experience and I hope some day you will give it another shot and I hope this post doesn't discourage any of your other readers to by pass the best city by the bay :).... it was nice to see your lovely pictures however since my husband and I just relocated last month to AZ and I've been feeling crazy homesick, so don't blame me if I sound a little defensive :) anyways, love love LOVE the blog and since your from around these parts let me know when it starts to cool down here! Its so hot I don't know what to do with myself! xoxo

Samantha said...

Mmmm, that chocolate sundae and the french toast with bananas and strawberries totally make up for that fact that you had a crappy restaurant experience! And the architecture and hotel room on top of that... San Francisco did SOME things right! ;)

Jenni Jiggety said...

I want that brownie sundae. Want. It.

Bree said...

LOVE the architecture in San Fran! It is a beautiful city. Bummer it wasn't totally fun though :(

Mikayla Skouson said...

Overpriced and really congested...yes!
Still desire to live there someday...also yes!
Love the coast line...no other answer than yes!

I'm glad to see all about your trip!!

Paulina said...

hahahahhahahaahah this post is the freaking best!!!!!! So funny! I'm sorry I am still giggling ("Srsly")

Connie said...

Oh!!... I'm still kicking myself because I could've gotten a juicy necklace worth 50 bucks for ten with the purchase of that purse! I passed it up, can you believe it!?

siovhan said...

Okay, I officially want to be you! HOT DANG. This looks like so much fun and I am craving that chocolate AMAZINGNESS.

And I love that hotel room, and the lamp that's off made me twitch too.

I'm glad you had fun!

KP said...

ummm that french toast looks DELICIOUS. yummy.
i want some now!
so you wouldn't recommend going to san fran? because i have always wanted too!

Lula! said...

I love San Fran. But Fisherman's Wharf is a tourist trap. Its one saving grace is Ghiradelli. Yes, we ate there...like it was our JOB.

Abby said...

I just have to tell you that my husband Josh reads your blog sometimes, and he has recently been saying, "kthanksbye". SO hilarious. I love him. He will be like, "what's for dinner tonight?" "chicken" "kthanksbye." ha!

I agree, 6 bones for water and 50 for parking is outrageous!! not fun.

Reeta said...

Excellent blog, nice post and layout.I love this blog. I VOTED FOR YOU in all categories, I recommend your blog to other friends like Chinafan, Jannis, Knowtrix, Voidaq also. They too Voting for this blog. I hope you will grace me with your precious Vote in all Categories. Just copy this link to your browser
http://bloggerschoiceawards.com/blogs/show/69551
http://bloggerschoiceawards.com/blogs/show/75700
http://bloggerschoiceawards.com/blogs/show/70216

Shauna said...

Come to Monterey next time...we have Ghirardelli! And it's not San Fran! But I do like SF myself...Japanese Tea Garden? So pretty.

Tim and Tricia Layton said...

:( I'm sorry it was such an unpleasant experience! The first time I went there I was visitng my then fiance while he was on an internship. He wanted to take me around to see all the sites and as we were waiting at the very first stop light right after getting off the bridge, I look out my window and see this huge black lady talking to these two men and then all of a sudden she lifts up her shirt and flashes them! SO GROSS! My husband was like, "Um...welcome to San Francisco!" haha