Seven-hundred and fifty-one miles, 20 questions, six saran-wrapped sandwiches, and a 5 p.m. departure time were all three eager friends needed to survive the long drive to San Francisco. Though our intentions were to evenly distribute driving duties, we didn’t object when Wes offered to power through the night. All the while, Cory’s sister Shannon was in Mill Valley fighting sleep so she could properly greet us once we arrived in the early morning.
After resting at Shannon’s, we ventured to the Mission in San Francisco seeking sweet sustenance at Tartine Bakery and Cafe. It was a perfect day to sit in Dolores Park and savor our baked goods while baked locals offered us alternative sweet treats.
On our way to the Rickhouse to meet friends for old-fashioned cocktails, we encountered The Twins of San Francisco.
Saturday was spent in the East Bay and included an obligatory pilgrimage to Stuart Street and Telegraph Avenue (die-hard Green Day fans can appreciate this). Then we took the BART to 1-2-3-4 Go! Records to see the Big Kids/Summer Vacation/Sourpatch show. Even though we saw Big Kids when they played at the Meat Market Garment Factory, we still felt guilty when we missed their set due to our outdoor giggle fest. (Big Kids, if you see this, we are so sorry.) After the show, we returned to Downtown Oakland for a midnight barbeque and called it a night.

(clockwise from the left) Cory & Shannon “Having a Blast”; Wes, Kim & Melinda outside of 1-2-3-4 Go! Records; late night barbeque in downtown Oakland.
Our food fund superseded our clothing budget; however, Wes direly needed new footwear after his shoes lost an uphill battle on the cattywompus streets of San Francisco. Luckily, Haight-Ashbury’s bountiful boutiques fulfilled our window-shopping quest and led Wes to pair of classic Keds. After lunch, we shared a “Full House” moment in front of the Painted Ladies at Alamo Square.

(clockwise from the left) Michelle & Stephenie forever; Wes revealing some of his is-shoes; Wes & Kim’s Full House moment (note the new Keds!).
On our last night, we huddled together on Baker Beach to watch the sunset and appreciate the cold weather knowing that the unforgiving heat of Arizona was waiting for our return.
San Francisco is not a one-and-done kind of town. We always leave wanting more, and this is one addiction of which we aren’t ashamed.
Until next time,
Cory and Kim

























