My Summer Bucket List
This weekend we had the most amazing weather and based on what everyone has told me about San Francisco in the summer, I made the most of it because I’m not sure how long it will last. When I was little, my sister would come and visit every summer and right before she would come we’d make a list of all the things we wanted to do over the few months she was here. While enjoying brunch at the ferry building yesterday I started thinking about my summer bucket list.
Kayaking in Sausalito
Warren has still never been kayaking and every year we keep saying we’re going to go. I love kayaking in Elkhorn Slough, but I’d like to try something new with him so we’re going to finally make it happen in Sausalito.
Russian River wine tasting
We’ve been to Sonoma, Napa, and the Santa Cruz mountain wineries so now we’re going to try the Russian River. It’s just slightly northwest of Sonoma and I hear has some amazing white wines - perfect for the summer tastings.
Alcatraz tour
Yup, lived here my whole life and never been to the rock. Hopefully we’ll learn a little history along the way and be able to finally check this one off the list.
Tropical beach vacation (so far looking like Mexico)
I’ve been dying for a tropical beach vacation for the last year. I don’t need a whole week, just a few days of nothingness. It’s hard finding quick getaways from SF - Hawaii is 5 hours, Mexico is 5-6 hours, and then the Caribbean is 9+. I think we’ve settled on Mexico where we’ll lounge on the beach, by the pool, eat, drink, sleep and relax - that’s it.
Weekend trip to San Diego
We’ve been a few times now, but we’ve got a few friends living there now and it’s time to make a trip back for the weekend. What’s not to like about San Diego, plus I love a good road trip!
Visit the Central Park Zoo
Finally, I want to make it back to New York again this summer. Last year we had the most amazing trip visiting the Natural History museum and the Met. I love New York in the summer - hot and humid just like a nice warm blanket. I can’t wait to see the tropical rainforest exhibit and the big cats.
Photo credits: 350.org, La Amada, Alexandra Tinder
FANG Restaurant Review
Last night we wanted to try something new and decided to check out FANG on Howard Street. The owner, Peter Fang, personally came out to wait on our table when we arrived. No special occasion, but it was our first time to the restaurant for all five of us. We were getting ready to order when he asked if we had any food allergies. We said no and he asked - “if you trust me, I’ll serve you.” He was so welcoming of course we said yes.
The waitresses then proceeded to serve us 6 amazing courses that completed the best Chinese dinner I think I’ve ever had. It started with a shrimp, tomato, mushroom and cilantro salad drenched in sesame oil. Next, they brought out Chinese steamed beef buns with braised shortrib, pickled veggies and scalion ginger. As the entree, a mix of BBQ pork spareribs with pineapple honey garlic glaze, five spice whitefish with jade spinach, and the Nanking sesame chicken with sweet potatoes. We rounded it off sharing the sesame apple crisp stuffed and black sesame rice ball soup.
It was a great evening spent with friends and we’ll definitely be back for more - next time the steamed Shanghai soup dumplings! 5 stars for sure and we’ll also be visiting his second restaurant, the House of Nanking, in Chinatown soon.
Sometimes the south bay surprises me with little delights like this. View from our balcony.
Another view of the south bay from Saratoga.
View of the south bay from Saratoga.
