After wrapping up my final candle-making sessions, it was time to switch gears. My friend was waiting for me back at the Airbnb, ready to explore San Francisco.
We hopped into his Tesla—because, of course, we had to explore in style. The car was so cool, smooth and silent as we zipped onto the highway. But then, we spotted it—In-N-Out Burger.
I mean, could we really be in California and not stop? Absolutely not. We pulled in, ordered, and let me tell you—it lived up to the hype. The fresh-cut fries, the secret sauce—it was everything I hoped it would be.
With full stomachs and happy hearts, we hit the road again, heading straight into the heart of San Francisco.
Playing Tourist in the Rain
We parked and decided to go full-on tourist mode. What better way to experience San Francisco than hopping onto the city’s famous cable cars?
There was just one small problem—it was windy, rainy, and freezing.
But hey, I was here, so we were doing this.
The cable car clanked and rattled its way up those iconic steep hills before dropping us down near the wharf. We strolled through the waterfront, soaked from the rain, but laughing the whole time. At this point, we needed a break (and to warm up!), so we dashed into a restaurant where I had to order crab.
Our table overlooked Alcatraz, which felt surreal—history right in front of us. The waves crashed against the rocks, the fog rolled in, and for a moment, I imagined what it must have been like to be imprisoned on that island, staring at the city just out of reach.
Then the rain got worse.
We ran back to the cable car and froze as the rain pelted us. Soaked to the bone but unable to stop laughing at our predicament, we finally surrendered, making a beeline for the car to thaw out. Back at the Airbnb, we planned our next big adventure.
Among the Giants: Exploring the Redwood Forest
Thursday was a day I’ll never forget. We set out to explore the Redwood Forest, and the moment we arrived, I was in awe.
The air was crisp and fresh, scented with pine and earth. The towering redwoods stretched impossibly high, their trunks wide enough to fit a car inside. Driving along the winding mountain roads, the valley views were breathtaking.
But what really struck me? The resilience of these trees.
A wildfire had burned through the area five years ago, yet they were growing back. Nature’s power to heal and rebuild was on full display. It was humbling. It was inspiring.
We ended the day in Santa Cruz, where we watched surfers glide across the waves, effortlessly riding the swells as the sun dipped lower. The ocean air, the sound of the crashing waves—it was the perfect ending to an unforgettable adventure.
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