Trip details, part 1

WARNING!!!!! Vacation details enclosed. This post may bore you to tears....you have been warned!

As some of you know, DH & I got back last week from the trip we have been waiting 11 years to take. I had a wonderful time and hope he had as much fun as I did. Our main destination was Hawaii but we spent a few days in San Francisco.

DAY 1: We flew into Oakland International Airport late morning. It was sunny and 60 - beautiful after leaving the temperatures in the 30s at home. My wonderful, fantastic husband pulled surprise #1 out of his sleeve as we drove into San Francisco. When we started planning this trip, we looked at the Argonaut hotel but decided we wouldn't spend the extra money on it and booked the Days Inn. Unknown to me, he found a really good deal a few weeks before we left and booked us a night at the Argonaut. So, here's how he pulled it off. (I warned you!) He told me he wanted to stop by Fisherman's Wharf before we went to the hotel and that I needed to get him there (he knew where he was going). So, we head in that direction and he says "Hey, it's the Argonaut, want to stop just to peek in?" Since we had time, I agreed. Yes, I know - can you say SUCKER - I really had NO clue! So we pull up in front and I see the sign for parking and say, "We can't pay $39 to just run in here!"
DH: "They won't charge us for a few minutes. No big deal."
I look up and there's a doorman waiting to open my door. "Um, you need to make sure they know we're not staying." He nods. About the time I realize that DH has popped the trunk, he has already jumped out of the car and it hits me.
I was bawling all the way into the lobby. He explained to the staff that it was a surprise to me. It was a GORGEOUS, BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING hotel! Our room was a city view and decorated in a nautical theme. I just loved it and am so glad we got to stay there for a night. (The bill was hidden from me...)
Anyway, we grabbed a burger and went to sit down on the pier to take in some sea breeze and atmosphere. We walked around Pier 39 for a bit and saw the sea lions.
We decided to drive across "the bridge". So, we got the car and drove across the Golden Gate Bridge. And of course, because I was already on emotional overload, I started crying when I saw it. It was SO amazing that all the times I'd seen it on TV and in pictures and we were about to drive across it. I never thought I would say that was beautiful but it was! It just fits into its surroundings perfectly and am so glad that it is one thing I can say I've done before I die.
We drove out to Muir Woods and made it a mere 20 minutes before they closed. I'm glad we got to see the redwoods - they are SUCH an impressive tree. Just huge! The pictures of us standing next to them, make us look like little tiny munchkins.
After we got back into the city, we had a light dinner at Boudin's Bakery. Think sourdough bread sandwiches - good stuff!
We took in Pier 39 at night, did some shopping then walked to Ghirdelli Square for a mint sundae. Good stuff!

DAY 2: Alcatrez Day.... It was a nice boat ride out there - despite the gray day. The views of SF and the Golden Gate Bridge were very impressive! Alcatrez is a creepy yet very interesting place. I didn't know much about the history before we went.
The afternoon got very rainy. We decided to drive up to Napa Valley to visit a winery that DH found before we left. It was a really nasty, foggy day and we probably would have had a nicer time if the weather had cooperated a little more, but what are you going to do? :) We visited Sterling Vineyard, which is quite impressive. We took a tram ride up the hill to the winery from the parking lot, took a self-guided tour and got to taste 5 different wines.
We stopped for lunch at a little drive in called Taylors - great chicken fingers and fries!
We stayed in Alameda that night to be closer to the airport, since we left for Honolulu the next day.

Stay tuned for more details....