I mentioned for like a second earlier, but over labor day weekend, I traveled to California for the first time. Yep, I had never been to Cali before. Neither had my GFF (great friend forever), Hanna. Combine that with the fact that one our college buddies, Ashley, lives in Sacramento with her husband... well we made getting to California a priority.
It must be said that Ashley is a wonderful hostess. I mean, she really knocks hostessing out of the park. She and her husband made us feel so welcome and loved while we were there.
We also ate like kings queens. Homemade toffee, berry breakfast casserole, enchiladas, and lots of fish (in Oklahoma, fresh fish doesn't really exist... besides, of course, catfish :)).
Our second day there we visited San Francisco (via ferry) and fell in love. I knew I would like San Fran, my only complaint is that we didn't have more time to explore.
I've been stuck on macaroons ever since Paris, so of course we made Hanna try one for the first time from the Ferry Marketplace.
We had a great time riding the trolly around the city, trying to see as much as possible.
We took a little pit stop at Caffe Greco, which felt charmingly European.
We finished the evening with a visit to the pier and a fancy dinner at Alioto's.
The theme of our trip was #girlsgonewild, which we thought was hilarious because well, we're so far from wild it's kind of embarrassing. However, on Saturday, we did get a little crazy... Ash and Hanna got tattoos (I was the supportive photographer/hand-holder).
After everyone recovered, we did a wine tasting at Madrona Vineyards, which was such a fun experience. I can definitely understand why people would take an entire vacation around wine tasting!
Our last day was spent at Lake Tahoe, which is BEAUTIFUL. It is such a perfect combination of water and mountains... it really is one of the prettiest areas I have ever seen. I already want to go back!
I feel like we got to experience a lot of what Cali has to offer in a short amount of time. Thanks to the Fords for so kindly taking in two Okies and showing us your fun state. Cali, I'll be back soon.
Fun post! I like how your friend has combined her striped shirt with a deep yellow scarf.
ReplyDeleteMan, great pics, Ash. Seriously... Cali is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had an amazing trip! I absolutely love SF, and wish I could make it up there more often! Even though I'm in CA it's around 6 hours away!
ReplyDeleteChampagne Lifestyle on a Beer Budget
what a sweet guest room! i love the quilt!
ReplyDeleteit looks like an amazing time! lake tahoe looks gorgeous! (i'd love to see the tattoos they got!)
Oh wow, it looks like you had a truly amazing trip! Also, I am so impressed with your photos, what camera do you use?
ReplyDeleteThanks Inge - it was seriously such an awesome trip! Thanks for the compliment on the pictures - I use a Canon T3i. It's basic as far as SLRs go, but I think it takes great pictures!
DeleteThis is a beautiful post =) It really looks like you ladies had a lot of fun =) The Coffee Greco and the toffee look amazing
ReplyDeletexo
M
simply sutter
looks like one awesome trip!
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are gorgeous! I'm totally craving a trip to california now (i've never been!). Glad you had a great trip!
ReplyDelete<3 danielle
goodwillista.blogspot.com
Looks like such a fun trip. I have never been to California and every blogger who posts about their vacations makes me want to go even more! Great recap!
ReplyDeleteok talk about an EVENTFUL weekend- you literally did everything a person can ossibly do in a day haha. your friends even got TATTOOS! you guys clearly know how to roll. your friend is crazy amazing at hostessing- i would die if a little gift basket was waiting for me like that. and san fran looks SO awesome! me and my boy really want to move there next year but, alas, it's so expensive :(
ReplyDeletexo marlen
Messages on a Napkin
Oh my gollee, thanks for helping to relive such a phenomenal weekend! Loved having you guys here and I super-loved showing you my state. What a joy to rediscover it with some of my favorite friends. Come back soon!
ReplyDeleteLooks like so much fun! I love the room your friend prepared for you, so sweet.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an AWESOME girls trip! I've always wanted to spontaneously get a tattoo - doing it with friends would be a great story - maybe next time for you ;)
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Nikki at www.bedazzlesafterdark.com
Love, Love, LOVE! I'm tempted to look up flights just to hang at Caffe Greco. Nice pics! Thank you for sharing this fun experience. Friends really are wonderful treasures. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a fabulous trip! I went to Cali a few times when I was younger, but would love to go back now when I can appreciate it more (and you know, enjoy the wine tasting).
ReplyDeleteNikki
thefashionablewife.com
I've lived near several big cities, including Seattle and Atlanta, and San Francisco is still my favorite. My husband and I are planning to go for spring break and I can't wait! So glad you enjoyed it :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! It looks like you girls had SUCH a fun time!
ReplyDeleteI have to be honest: I've lived here for almost eight months and we STILL have not made the trek into San Francisco. Driven through it, yes, but not really visited. It's totally on my list ;]
Wow this looks lovely! That an awesome and totally fun packed trip... I'd love to travel to the West Coast soon:) Thank you for sharing and have a great day!
ReplyDeleteHugs & Kisses,
Olivia
My grammy lives in Sacremento, I love visiting. I've never been to San Fran though, maybe next time!
ReplyDeletexoxo
The Occasional Indulgence
Wonderful pictures Ashley, you had to enjoy the sunshine of Cali :))
ReplyDeleteWow, it looks like such a wonderful trip! My parents live outside of Sacramento, so I make a trip that way yearly!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun time with such fun people! I want to GOOO!!
ReplyDeleteClaire, you have a place to stay whenever you want. It's an honest-to-goodness open invitation. :)
DeleteSounds like you had an awesome trip. I love SF. I am going there for a visit this weekend. I seriously can't wait. Thanks for sharing those pics. They're beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWow your trip looks amazing!! Ugh, I love San Fran. I remember visiting it in August and I was so cold!! Such a gorgeous city though :)
ReplyDeleteRachel Emma
Daydream Frenzy
Gorgeous pictures!! I just got back from visiting San Fran and Sonoma yesterday. it's such a beautiful place!
ReplyDeletexo,
Angela
What a great trip!!! Best friends are such a gift!!!
ReplyDeleteI love that - GFF! :) What a fantastic trip and your photos are so beautiful, glad you got to experience Cali!
ReplyDeleteLooks and sounds like SUCH an awesome trip! Love love love all your gorgeous photos :)
ReplyDeleteAnnie
The Other Side of Gray
Fantastic Pics. Geat times with Great Friends. I love San Francisco & I love wine-tasting.
ReplyDeleteWow! What an amazing hostess! I'm impressed! Love San Fran! :)
ReplyDeletelooks like you had a wonderful time with your GF! This made me miss San Fran soooo much! It's such an amazing city to get lost in and enjoy the day! Looking forward to checking out the rest of your blog.
ReplyDeleteElisha
Looks like an amazing trip! I went to San Fran last year...it was amazing! One of my favorite cities!
ReplyDelete~Jessica
Jeans and a Teacup
Wow Ashley what beautiful pictures! I've never been to California either so fun pictures are all I have to go on right now. Looks like you guys made the most of your trip and that wine tasting looks delish :) PS How did your friends' tattoos turn out?
ReplyDeletewww.the-lifestyle-project.com
CUTE girls!! I'm so glad you could finally visit the greatest state in the land :) SF is among my favorite places in the world, no shortage of things to do, just not enough time to do them all! So many sweet welcoming things from your friend also, what a host! You certainly packed a lot into your trip, I'm glad you got to see Lake Tahoe as well! Your next trip there should definitely be in the winter.
ReplyDeleteperfectly priya
Looks like a lot of fun! And how cute are those gift basket things!?
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