Part one is back here.
Because yes, we went clear back the day after Thanksgiving and I haven’t made time to finish writing up my wrap-up yet.
When I look at these pictures I get a little lump in my throat thanking my lucky stars that we got to do this.
It is at trip none of us will ever forget. (I know that sounds dramatic but it’s true…even if our memories start to let it slip, the hundreds of pictures I took won’t let us ever, ever forget 🙂
Part one {back here} was just day one.
Here’s the next part of the story…
DAY 2:
Day two was bike day. We rented some wing-dinger bikes and took off to explore the city. We were pleased as punch about this because our feet were ready to take a break after walking all over creation the day before.
Our first stop was the Golden Gate Bridge (or the “GGB” as Charity likes to call it).
Now, I must preface this part by saying the GGB is one of my favorite structures ever. I don’t know what it is about it…the color, the ingenuity of how it was built, how it stands out against the beauty surrounding it…probably a mixture of all of the above.
I love that thing.
So needless to say I was pretty excited that we got to ride bikes across it.
We rode along in single file as cars whizzed by (with a good, strong barrier between us) and the wind whipped through our hair. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.
We stopped for a little break at both of the towers. 
Claire was a little trooper with her scarf flying out behind her in front of me standing up to pedal hard every so often. 
My heart swelled up into my throat as I watched her and took it all in.
Gotta love that color.
Elle did her report before we left on the GGB.
Little known fact that she shared: The navy had initially wanted to paint the bridge black with yellow stripes.
Yeah, I’m glad someone vetoed that.
Here we are on the other side:
From there we crossed under the bridge…: 
(it looks cool under there, right?)
…and headed over to Sausalito. That was where the bike ride got a little hairy…no bike lane and my seven-year-old in front of me with traffic…but she was a little dreamboat on that bike.
I had to remind myself she can ride circles around me. I’m the one who crashed into a stop sign a couple years ago with Lucy on the back.
Ouch.
Sausalito was gorgeous.
We ate delicious hamburgers and grabbed some hot cocoa to help us brave the biting wind on the ferry we loaded our bikes on and took back across the bay:
It was a beautiful, fun, cold ride.
Grace was excited to pass Alcatraz (she did her report on that thing):
The skyline looked cool in all the haze as we neared the ferry building on the other side.
We parked our bikes at the Ferry Building…
…and explored all the colors and sounds and tastes and smells it had to offer.
We loved this street performer:
Talk about talent with garbage cans.
After the Ferry Building we biked over to Pier 39 to see the sea lions.
Unfortunately this was our view:
I guess they were shy that day.
And with that, we were off to Fisherman’s Wharf where we went to the sourdough bread factory and snacked on some baguettes: 
And what would be a trip to San Fran without a quick stop at Ghirardelli Square?
We savored the taste of our free chocolate as we rode our bikes back to the bike place to greet the sunset.
After all the wonderful things we got to do that day, I think those ten to fifteen minutes were my very favorite part.
We were all so happy and tired and fulfilled after an exhilarating day.
We snuggled back into the car and drove past this on the way to dinner:
And filled up on some Mexican food and delicious fruit drinks at this place in “The Mission.”
Mmmmm, that guacamole is making my mouth water 🙂
Ok, the last day is going to have to wait because I think I have carpel tunnel in my fingers from moving all these pictures around.
And because all these pictures are making me want to go back.
And making me miss my dear sis.
Love you Char!
Holy Cow…What a beautiful bike ride! How many miles do you suppose you guys biked that day?
I went to San Francisco with my husband in December. He worked the whole time and I got to explore the whole city. It was amazing! I absolutely love Sausalito. It's so beautiful there! Really, everywhere! Thanks for the amazing pictures to remind me of it.
So fun! We went to San Fransisco on our 2nd Honeymoon- our 1st was too short- and we had a blast! Did you get any souvenirs?
I didn't think Mormons were allowed to eat chocolate or drink Coke because they have caffeine in them.
Fabulous pictures! So fun to see since I was just there last week sans the bikes!
I don't usually leave comments on blogs (i know, I need to do better) but I LOVED all of these pictures. We moved to SF in August of 2010 and lived there for almost a year. We moved back last June. These pictures make me miss it SO much. Isn't it the greatest city?? I would go back to live for sure.
Oh your pictures are so great! Last time I was there my 8 year old was 6 months old and I just LOVED seeing all those sights again on your blog. You have me craving a trip back. I just loved it there-all the colors!
Oh how I love San Fran!!! I've only been once when I was 13 but the sights and sounds and everything about it are still clear in my mind. Great pics!
What a great idea to have each kid do research on a landmark before your trip! I need to remember that when we have kids!
yay! finally! this was such a good day. i wish you could come back. oh man that was fun.
to tazlady (to save you some time, shawn!) – there is nothing in the health code we follow as mormons about chocolate or coke or caffeine! some people get confused since we don't drink coffee or tea, but it's not about the caffeine specifically. some mormons (and plenty of other people) chose to avoid caffeine all together, which is commendable!
I love San Francisco! We were there last September and I think I really did leave my heart there. Your pictures of the Ferry Building make my mouth water. We found the best strawberries and cheese there. Thanks for sharing your adventures.
Looks like so much fun and such an adventure! I am new to your blog and am loving your photos all the way from Australia! You have a beautiful family!
SO fun! Thanks for sharing; I love it! My husband travels to the Bay area every week, so I told him we're tagging along for spring break. It's been years since I've been to SF & I'm excited to show my girls around! (p.s. Didn't the sea lions relocate? Maybe they are coming back now; I heard it's a usual thing for them.)
We just got back from San Francisco last night!! It was the most glorious weekend ever–record high temps, beautiful sites, AMAZING food, and the 49ers won!!! Couldn't have been a better birthday weekend. Beautiful City by the Bay! (We biked the bridge as well–Incredible.)
That looks like such a fun trip! We were there a few months before you in a lot of the same places-except with my little kids we drove instead of biked, but hearing about your trip makes me want to go again!
Your little family seems filled with extra portions of fashion sense. I consider myself to be a classicist when it comes to clothing (no trends mostly), but I am entering "frumpy mom zone.". While I would love to change that, what is more important is that my only daughter seems to be entering the zone with me. Blah! I keep telling her how it is important to look our best, but it seems to be falling on deaf ears. (she is only 7!). Would you consider posting the stores you and your kids especially Elle frequent for clothing? I wish Elle would just come dress my child! Also do you purchase items quarterly or seasonally or just when items wear out or kids grow? HELP US!!!!
i LOVE san francisco! i took a trip there a few summers ago and fell in love. we did a lot of the same things you did. i want to go back! isn't sausilito incredible?
I always love your images, but one of these really spoke to me. It is the one of everyone on their bikes posing for a pic on the very busy street. I tend to not capturing moments like this that I really want because I am self-conscious about what others will think. I need to learn to do what I want and not care about what others think or say. THANK YOU for the reminder to do my thing! 🙂 Again, GREAT images!