TRAVEL DIARY:

Last month I had the chance to visit San Francisco and Oakland, on a quick weekend trip. Due to my limited PTO days, I had to figure out how to explore the Bay Area within 48 hours. Of course, I made it work! But I will definitely add another day or two for the next trip I plan to the Bay Area.

Initially, I desired to go somewhere for my 25th birthday, but I decided to book a last minute flight and purchase my ticket to the Create & Cultivate Conference instead. Going by myself, I was overwhelmed with emotions. And knowing myself, I questioned my ability to be safe.

You might be giggling or even thinking “what the hell is she talking about?!”

I mean that I am naturally a goofy girl, and when I am in unfamiliar surroundings, I am one extreme or the other. I fake it and walk confidently as if I own the place, looking as if I am a local, OR, I become big-eyed and my inner big kid kicks in, as I stroll around looking like a complete tourist.

Considering that I would be spending a huge portion of my time exploring alone, I needed to make sure that I tapped into my inner “walking boldly like a Texan/New Yorker, MOVE OUT MY WAY” side of me.

In addition, I only knew two things about San Francisco-

1. The homeless population was massive (very sad, and my heart does go out to them. However, I was concerned with my safety simply because of stories shared from my friends & family).
2. It was a beautiful city, capturing the ocean, mountains, and the busy city lights.

On top of mixed emotions pertaining to the city itself, I was going to my first women’s conference by myself.

With 1,000 more women.

As if that wasn’t challenging enough already!

Ultimately, I enjoyed every minute of my trip. My Uber drive, Erroll, was amazing, and offered to drive me around all day. He knew about my crazy side (I warned him and he was wearing sandals, I could take him down if I had to), and I had the chance to visit some spots that only locals would really know about!

So, if you are considering visiting San Francisco or Oakland, whether it is for a weekend trip or a solo trip, keep reading!

WHAT TO DO IN SAN FRANCISCO:

The Golden Gate Bridge is a given. Aside from the beautiful, oceanic, and captivating views, you know you want a selfie with the bridge in the back. Let’s be real here. Now, I would actually suggest not typing in “Golden Gate Bridge” in your GPS, because it will take you to some overcrowded destination. Instead, I would recommend visiting the following locations to get a better view:

• Marshall’s Beach
• Baker’s Beach
• Fort Point National Historic Site
• Torpedo Wharf
• Battery Spencer

Had I known this (which I am sure that I read about this on a blog, but I probably forgot due to my excitement) I would of went to these locations instead. Going straight to the bridge was SO over crowded, and I had to be the only millennial that was there trying to soak in the moment. I’m pretty sure that the other millennials were at the locations posted above, ready for their photoshoot.

Aside from the Golden Gate Bridge, I did stop by Lombard Street to explore and hangout there! Because I did get there in the afternoon, it was also crowded with people.

Side note: SF is typically super foggy, Karl the Fog (yes the people of SF named it), takes over for days, kicking out the sunlight. While I was in SF, it was bright and sunny! I’d like to say that perhaps mid September is a good time to visit? Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

Anyways, Lombard Street. It was really entertaining to watch people attempt to drive down the crooked street! Believe it or not, they couldn’t get it. I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to master it either if I am being honest! Although it was crowded, I was able to get pretty shots of the homes, and yellow roses on the street. Overall, if you don’t mind people, it is still a great place to explore. Simply because you are on top of a hill, and the views are breathtaking.

I don’t have a picture of this next destination, but I also stopped by Fishermans Wharf, and Pier 39. This place is LOADED with tourists. If you are fine with this and just desire something to do, then this will not bother you. However, if you want to be immersed with locals, you will not find them here. The food was so-so (it was alright), but I did enjoy the scenery and views of the ocean! You can also visit Alcatraz from Pier 39 as well, by taking a boat ride at a low price. Oh, and don’t buy boat ride tickets online, there are people on the streets (legit people), who charge for a lesser amount.

On my next visit to SF, I am going to explore more local fave places with my friend Carrie who has been living in the Bay for 8 years! I am also going to check out the Painted Ladies (Full House homes), Twin Peaks (best views), Bernel Heights (swing with a view) Lands End Trail, Bakers Beach, and Chinatown for some authentic Chinese food!

WHAT TO DO IN OAKLAND:

If I could only pick to eat in either Oakland or San Francisco, I would pick Oakland. Hands down; the best pizza and seafood that I have had in my life was in Oakland, California. If you have seen my YouTube vlog, then you know a glimpse of how amazing the food was here. Aside from the food, I liked Oakland because of its character.

When visiting Oakland, you have to hangout at Lake Merritt. Bring a blanket or two, a sweater just in case it gets cold, and your camera. It is so peaceful and pretty here. Considering that I had no idea I would be popping in here, I didn’t know that I needed a blanket. With that being said, I didn’t get to stay seated for too long. Instead, I stopped by Arizmendi Bakery, grabbed a vegan slice of pizza, and walked around the bars, restaurants and shops. There is so much to do in Lake Merritt and it is truly a pretty place to explore or relax.

Erroll, my Uber driver friend, actually insisted that I check out AU Lounge with him. An Oakland native, and proud Ethiopian, he invited me and my girl Carrie, to his Ethiopians brother’s lounge. Nestled in Broadway street, minutes away from Lake Merritt, we spent the evening eating crawfish, crab legs, shrimp, lobster and pasta, while listening to the DJ. The fish were freshly caught that morning, and I embraced every carb that I was consuming in that moment. No regrets girl. What makes AU Lounge unique, is that each night they have a different chef and DJ, giving the audience the chance to explore new food and music. I also like that this place was truly diverse. Every race, and age-yes kids were in there breakdancing and selling chocolate bars- was enjoying their time at the AU Lounge.

If you have a few moments in Oakland, you have to promise me that you will visit Lake Merritt and AU Lounge!

OVERALL:

Transportation: Very simple! Aside from taking an Uber or Lyft, the public transportation in the Bay Area is one of the best in the USA. You can easily hop on a BART bus and take it anywhere. Just be mindful- pay attention and do not stay glued to your phone. And if you are not used to riding a subway or a bus, brace yourself. It does get crowded before and after work hours, because a lot of people use the bus to get to work. Also, traffic here is bad but not LA or Dallas bad. You will want to stay in SF, Emeryville or Oakland, because it is right by the bridge and it is easier to get around. Try to avoid outside cities like Berkeley, Silicon Valley, Concord or Walnut Hill, as they aren’t as close to the activities.

Friendliness: People are more friendly here than they were in LA to me. I had a few conversations with strangers, and when I needed directions, I was given them without being looked at as if I were incompetent. Also, plenty of people that live here are not actually from here! So they love to engage in conversations with you, sharing their stories, why they moved, and their favorite things about the city. This is also a good way to network, and there are PLENTY of networking opportunities in the Bay Area.

Solo Travel Safety: I would say it is a fairly safe place to solo travel! I know that I was blessed to have Erroll drive me around, but overall SF isn’t completely dangerous. Unless you are raised in a sheltered environment, or if you just don’t pay attention to your surroundings, it is safe! I would recommend being polite to the homeless people, but not being incredibly inviting simply because a majority of them aren’t in the right state of mind 🙁 Although this is heartbreaking, your safety is important, so please keep this in mind.

Costs: Flying in from Dallas wasn’t expensive, and the flights range from $170-300 round trip. Depending on where you’d like to stay, the cost does differentiate. I stayed with my friend Carrie, and thank God, because the locations that I wanted to reserve a room in, were ranging from $200+ a night. I recommend doing more research and looking at Airbnb options as well!

My Thoughts: Totally worth the time and your wander. I personally love traveling to California, and I will be back for more adventures 🙂