I left my heart...

in Colorado with my family, but I definitely would LOVE to take them back to San Francisco!! After the funeral and the family luncheon we convinced the rest of the family (mostly locals, mind you) that we all needed to go to San Francisco which was only about 40 miles away. My sister can be very persuasive.

We first met up at my Aunt and Uncle's incredible house in Oakland. Their original home was completely destroyed in the Oakland fires like 20 or so years ago, and they hired an architect to build this new one on the old home's footprint. It was on a pretty steep hill. Imagine trying to go running around here!!

Their house was really awesome!

After we all had a tour, we took the BART into the city.

I think my uncle, who rides the BART into the city for work every single day was mortified to be seen with me--

looking like this the entire trip. :)

But really, how could I not take pictures of things like this...

Kiss and Ride???

Can't Touch This

We went on a fun walking tour of part of the city--through the Italian section where random Italian men were yelling at us trying to entice us into their restaurants, then past part of Chinatown.

We had a great experience as we passed the edge of what appeared to be a red-light district. On one strip club there was a sign that said, "Amateur Night" and my brother jokingly nudged my sister and pointed it out to her. A complete stranger yelled out, "She's no amateur!!" It was hysterical.

We hiked up, up, up to Coit Tower where we took in the beautiful view of the surrounding bay.

Is it just me, or does my sister look like a model in every picture?? Not. Fair.

Then back down, down, down through an overgrown, gorgeous, incredibly quaint neighborhood built on the side of a lush mountain.

We ended up at the Ferry Building where we had dinner at a yummy restaurant.

Then we continued on along the waterfront to get a nighttime view of things.

We stopped in at the lobby of this hotel that was amazing--the Hyatt Regency. I WILL stay there someday. I've just got to start saving my money now...

Yeah, that is the lobby!!

Then off for a nightcap of hot chocolate at Starbuck's before we left the city. It was really such a fun evening and so much fun to spend it with my relatives and family!! I want to take my kids back there someday soon!! Especially with such great tour guides that are related to me!