Travel Diaries: Natalie in the City

#jetsetterlife  To kick off summer 2016, I did a joint trip to one of my favorite cities San Francisco and ventured to beautifully green Oregon. My love is from OR so it was great to go visit his hometown of Forest Grove and explore the strange and fun Portland. Here are my travel highlights of what to do & what to do. xoxo natoutandabout.

Quick trip to SF round 2: Literally a year later,  I find myself back  in the coldest city in the summer, San Francisco. This trip was short and sweet as are most of my trips, which filled me with gratitude to explore it more.

Coit Tower: It was unusually hot and clear in SF that day so I went to the famous Coit Tower. Coit Tower is one of the most historical places in SF with the best 360 degree view of the city. While you wait to take the elevator up, you can observe  several murals painted on the inside of the tower.  Once at the top, you get the money shot of the skyline, Alcatraz, the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge.

 

coit1

Beautiful day to go to Coit Tower

coit2

Coit Tower built in 1933.

coit3

The Bay Bridge

coit4

San Fransisco, CA

coit5

Stunning views from Coit Tower.

Tacos y Margaritas: Walk down the hill to Washington Park and find yourself some ah-mazing Mexican food at Tacolicious. I sipped on a refreshing Grapefruit and Elderflower margarita (ok I had two they were so good) We munched on fresh homemade guacamole and chips with fish and chicken tacos. Definitely recommended for a nice afternoon lunch.

marg

In margaritaville heaven.

Haight & Ashbury and Golden Gate Park: This one is a repeat from my last trip to Sf, but worth it. Strolled the shops up to the park. Found a nice shady spot and had some moscato. (you’re not supposed to drink in the park but the bottles looked like sparkling water…shhh.!)  

haight1

The famous Haight & Ashbury

golden

Wine in Golden Gate Park

 Wine & Dine: I’m picky about my seafood, so when my cousin showed me her favorite seafood restaurant, I fell in love with Pacific Cafe. They  even serve you a complimentary glass of wine.

What to get:

App: Crab cakes with their homemade tartar sauce & calamari.

Soup: Whatever bisque is available. Mine was the salmon bisque and it was divine.

Main course: Seriously anything. I had the Jumbo Prawns with potatoes.

Dessert: Cheesecake & ice cream.

If the one complimentary glass isn’t enough, you can bring your own wine for a $8 corkage fee.  Get there early when they open at 5 p.m.  as it is first come first serve.

pacificcafe

Crab cakes & Calamari 

pacificcafe2

<————————————————————————————>

Next stop: Portland, OR

I’m a city junkie. I enjoy the hustle and bustle and high energy of a city. I was stoked to  finally check out Portland. I do need to spend more time there. So I did some of my two of my favorite things: eat & drink.

port

At the public market in Portland, OR

Saturdays and Sundays Portland has a fabulous local public market with an array of vendors from artists, boutiques and jewelry designers. They have food trucks and live music.

Since it was so damn hot, we stopped into a restaurant for some brew tasting. I did an Oregon beer tasting of: Good Life Sweet As and Three Creeks Five Pine Chocolate Porter. Final verdict of the best: both.

port2

Brew tastings 

Last but not least my sweet tooth went crazy: went to the famous Voodoo Doughnuts. If you even thought of a type of donut it would be found at Voodoo Doughnuts. Originally established in Portland, OR  it is one of the most happening places in the city. The airport does let you take them on the plane and  yes, we did take a dozen back home.

voodoo

Voodoo Doughnuts: #nomnomnom

voodoo3

Voodoo Doughnuts

portland2

Peace out Portland!

Follow:

2 Comments

  1. June 7, 2016 / 7:37 pm

    You look adorable! Glad you had an amazing trip! xx

    • natalie
      Author
      June 10, 2016 / 5:15 pm

      Thank you Ashley!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *