Bay Area Birthday Mini-Vacation: San Francisco, San Rafael, Marshall, Healdsburg, Guerneville, Half Moon Bay, and Santa Cruz

San Francisco

My first stop in San Francisco was SFMOMA. I've always wanted to visit (badly), but whenever I have visited San Francisco in the past, I was with people (friends or family) who weren't interested in going or one time it was under construction and closed. It's not free so you'd probably need to be someone who appreciates art to enjoy your visit. At $37 for admission, including a ticket to the temporary Diego Rivera exhibition, plus $19 with discounted parking, I don't think it is a place I would go on a regular basis whenever I visit SF. Probably every now and then, it would be nice to revisit. It is well worth a visit if you haven't been (like me) and a fan of contemporary art. I usually start at the top floor and work my way to the bottom floor at multilevel museums. I spent 3 hours there and could have easily spent the whole day there.

Diego Rivera's Pan American Unity mural at SFMOMA.

"Diego Rivera's America" is a special exhibition is a special ticketed event at SFMOMA until January 2, 2023. From SFMOMA website: "The most in-depth examination of the artist’s work in over two decades, Diego Rivera’s America brings together more than 150 of Rivera’s paintings, frescoes, and drawings—as well as three galleries devoted to large-scale film projections of highly influential murals he created in Mexico and the United States."

Samir's hand-kneaded bread at Beit Rima's less popular location in Cole Valley. It seems like this is the current food writer darling of San Francisco and to me, the most interesting because I've never tasted the food from Palestine. I made dining at Beit Rima a priority out of my LONG list of restaurants to try.

I'm a fan of Shish Tawook at Lebanese restaurants in LA and they told me this is the dish is the most popular or must try at Beit Rima.

I booked this AirBnB in the city due to its decent reviews and free parking spot at the property. I hate the parking situation in San Francisco, so I booked it. It was clean, but it was a bit noisy as the walls and ceiling were thin. I don't think I would book again because of the noise factor and the lack of personal touches and hospitality I have found at other AirBnBs.

Frequently ranked as the "best bakery in San Francisco," I made a visit to B. Patisserie a priority on this trip. This was the line at 8:15 am close to when they opened at 8 am.

Cinnamon apple macaron, lemon tart, and a mixed berry kouign amann. I bought some French bread for my snack later on the go. Owner/chef Belinda Leong worked at Pierre Herme in Paris so these probably are some of the best macarons in the United States. Not being too sweet, her pastries are a delight. Some of the macaron I've tried in France are way too sweet for me. Oh, and say hello to my Cactus Plant Flea Market buddy who I paid $12 for along with my Chicken McNugget adult happy meal at McDonald's which came cold with soggy fries. I wanted this characterly badly because he was just too cute! I asked the McDonald's employee for this one and they delivered (after telling me they can't choose because the toy is covered in plastic).

San Rafael

Marin County Civic Center, the only government building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. An example of the organic architecture style ethos, the structure were designed to "melt into the sunburnt hills."

I walked through the French (Antique) Market Marin at the Civic Center for people who love to collect stuff that collect dust.

The Sunday Marin Farmers' Market was a nice surprise while visiting the Frank Lloyd Wright structures. I planned on visiting the Saturday Farmers Market at the Ferry Building in San Francisco, but didn't have time for it.

I bought some heirloom apples to taste.

Wild salmon onigiri made with heirloom rice

Marshall

I feel like I've wanted to visit for 20 years or so. I remember reading an article about oysters north of San Francisco and it's been on my travel bucket list. It's a bit more popular now as it was featured as "America's 50 Best Restaurants" in the New York Times last year.

The fish stew was bland and I needed to add salt and pepper to it.

Local Pacific Point Oysters from their oyster farm down the road. I like my oysters simple so I selected raw and smoked -- oyster two ways.

The one beverage that drew me was the canned Txakoli. I love this variety of wine and visited this region in Spain for a wine tasting and tour.

The weather was cold and sky a bit cloudy, but I enjoy eating oysters outdoors overlooking Tomales Bay.

Who doesn't want to try water buffalo gelato?

Healdsburg

I made a reservation to visit Little Saint for brunch, which is the more casual sister restaurant and coffee bar of Single Thread Farms, which is considered the "best restaurant in California" for fine dining. It's a plant-based or vegan restaurant with a music space. I'm not vegan, but I'm curious of what people can do to vegetables to make them more interesting.

The aesthetically pleasing front facing coffee bar, dining space, and marketplace.

Vegetables from their farm are for sale along with other artisinal dry goods and wine.

Crudités (fancy French term for mixed raw vegetables) from their farm (separate from Single Family Farms' farm) and split pea hummus with zhoug (spicy green cilantro sauce which originates from Yemen).

Smashed cucumbers with XO sauce accompanied with black crispy rice.

I LOVE carrot cake and what intrigued me was that this was a vegan version so cream cheese had to be subsituted. It was delicious nonetheless.

Guerneville

Whenever I visit Northern California, I feel that I have to go "forest bathing." I love the coastal redwoods and it brings me peace and calm to walk through them | Guerneville, California

San Francisco

Cheap Eats: Freshly made dumplings in the Outer Sunset neighborhood or what I call the "other SF Chinatown" | Yuanbao Jiaozi Dumplings in San Francisco, California

My cousin lived this in this neighborhood and I wanted to try food here. I don't recall if we ever did. Their maiitake and fish dumpling is what they are known for which you can order dry or in soup. It was chilly so I opted for soup. Very soothing and comforting, and perfect for a cold San Francisco evening.

I met the owner of Arsicault Bakery, frequently ranked #1 or #2, best bakeries in San Francisco. He recommended his chocolate croissant. At first bite, it was flakey, but nothing like the croissants I've tasted in France or Austria, or even LA. It doesn't make sense why Bon Appétit would rank this bakery "best new bakery in America." It was a huge disappointment based on their croissant. His kouign amman is a bit more flatter than B. Patisserie, probably more equivalent to what they look like in Brittany, France. I asked him about the kouign amman in Paris and he said he doesn't know how they are made there (flat or puffy?) because he hasn't been back in 9 years. In LA, they are usually different variation of puffy at the few places that have them.

Federal Building by LA's very own Morphosis Architects | San Francisco, California

City Hall | San Francisco, California

My first visit to the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, California

I heard about the Carlos Villa exhibition on NPR in LA, so I wanted to stop by to see his work. | Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, California

Self portrait of Carlos Villa with Maori pattern tattoo | Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, California

Transamerica Pyramid designed by William Pereira | San Francisco, California

Jackson Square, the oldest part of San Francisco

Where's Chefs Eat: Where Michelin-starred chef, Joshua Skenes, eats dumplings and noodles -- House of Xian Dumplings | San Francisco, California

Tadich Grill, the oldest restaurant in California, established in 1849 (note: not the same location) | San Francisco, California

Bar seating at Tadich Grill | San Francisco, California

Dungeness crab cake, Boudin sourdough bread, and a gin martini. How more old school, classic San Francisco can you get? | San Francisco, California

Steps from the parking lot to Sutro Baths ruins | San Francisco, California

Sutro Baths ruins | San Francisco, California

Kid-friendly exploring at Sutro Baths | San Francisco, California

The start of my "49-mile scenic drive" | San Francisco, California

Half Moon Bay

San Gregorio Lagoon | Half Moon Bay, California

Ranked "the most beautiful beach" in the entire state of California. | San Gregorio State Beach | Half Moon Bay, California

Santa Cruz

Got a bit of sunshine for my birthday north of Santa Cruz, California

Inside Sante Adairius Rustic Ales | Santa Cruz, California

Detroit-ish cheese pizza made with organic flour, a 48-hour dough fermentation pizza to pair with world-class beer. A touch of finesse from a fine dining chef at Bookie's Pizza inside Sante Adairius Rustic Ales in Santa Cruz, California

"West Ashley" at Santa Adairius Rustic Ales | Santa Cruz, California

This was a short and sweet "dream solo trip" to the Bay Area. It was a trip to travel how I want and when I want. I got to see places that I've wanted to see for so long, but couldn't because other people just weren't interested. On my long time travel bucket list was eating oysters at the Marshall Store and seeing the contemporary art at SFMOMA and I'm so happy I was able to finally make it happen.  It was  a quick long weekend jaunt, but I saw so many things and created lasting memories.   It's funny how on my recent trip to Kentucky and West Virginia I ate so badly and I didn't gain any weight. On this trip I gained 5 pounds! Was it worth it? It sure was!  Now, back to reality and trying to eat healthy every day.  Until my next adventure...