First visit to San Francisco

I was very fortunate to have been selected as one of the candidates for a position here in Seattle, with the corporate office in San Francisco.  So for the third round (with 6 individuals), they flew me to San Fran to meet the group for one-on-one interviews.  I flew out on Thursday morning and as soon as I arrived, I took the Bart (train) from airport directly to the office.  Luckily the day was gorgeous and I walked to the office (thankfully found from GPS on phone).  Immediately interviews started from 10:30 and the final one ending at 4:30pm.  After talking about myself more than I wanted (yes, I really hated repeating myself - lol) I then had the rest of the day to myself and decided to take my slightly heavy bag and walk to my hotel - again GPS.  Stupidly not realizing that there ARE some steep hills, but found The Rex just in time to freshen up and then enjoy the 'complimentary' glass of wine at happy hour.

 

 

View from my window

Then after a glass of wine & an appetizer, decided to stroll down the street to shops.

 

 

 

The next morning, I woke up to wish my sweet mom a HAPPY 79th Birthday (on 11/11/11)... and sadly DID wish I had brought her with me to enjoy this - but it's a goal to return (she has been wanting to come back to San Francisco)...

So after a good breakfast and mapping out a route, I decided to head out (unfortunately to RAIN) but I didn't want to let that dampen (no pun intended) my final hours in the city.  But I had to take my overnight bag with me, since I didn't plan on coming back toward the hotel (it is a little hike to the Bart).  (I later mapped the route on Map Walk and found out I had trekked 12.4 miles total) and on Saturday morning I actually fell getting out of bed since my calves were so tight.  ha ha

Here's some of the amazing pictures I did manage to take with the infamous Rebel (Canon). Enjoy...

 

THIS was one of the steeper hills (not good with a slightly heavy bag on shoulder).

 

After offering to take picture of two women from Chicago, they returned the favor and took one for me with my own Rebel. (As my sister said, I do need to have more people do that, especially since I offered 8 times during the day). 

Made it to Fisherman's Wharf, where the rain clouds finally went over (after some major drenching & frizzed hair). LOL

 

 

 

 

 

This was one last cloud that came over, so I had to head for a bit of cover for a moment to keep Rebel from getting wet.  But then... clear, beautiful skies once again and off I went.

Then made it after hiking from Pier 47 (near Ghiradelli Square) back to Pier 1 - this beautiful clock tower is the Ferry Building (Farmers Market) and ironically I returned in time to hear the bells when it struck twelve and then it played more in memory of Veteran's Day. 

I started back after listening in awe and a brief break to readjust the bag strap that was digging into my shoulder - to walk back into the city on Market street.  I had to get back on the Bart eventually to go to airport.

 

I didn't jump on the Trolley, but I did manage to walk to the end where the turn in (is from of the Civic Center) and ironically the Forever 21 store (daughter's job/company).  What a gorgeous store & building too.

I continued down the way for a bit more, where I realized that I started running more into the 'seedy' neighborhoods (we all have them) and thought this store was funny (next to the wig/weave shop and two of the more noticeable Gentlemen's Clubs).  LOL

I didn't share my 120 photos with you - but I hope you enjoyed some of the ones I did.  Hope to return too.