Although I spent two weeks in San Francisco, I actually had very little time to be a tourist. I was busy with work from Monday to Friday and by the time I came back to the hotel, the clock stroke 10 pm or 11 pm earliest. It turned out that I only had 2 weekends to explore San Francisco as much as I could.

I shared my first weekend in the Bay Area in this blog post, so here goes the second one, including a travel video and a recommended list of what to do in San Francisco.

On Saturday morning, my friend Rebecca and I woke up early as we had a long day ahead. We planned to rent a bike and ride across the Golden Gate bridge, took some photos at this iconic location so we can cross it off our bucket list. Our plan was ruined completely as stormy rain approached the city. The wind was so strong that it was incredibly hard to walk against it, let alone riding a bike across the bridge. Unless we wanted to be blown off the bridge, we'd better off staying inside the building. That stormy sky in the photo above proves my point.

A healthy lifestyle plan became a shopping plan instead. What can you expect? Right?

We went to the Ferry Building Market Place for brunch and had a quick tour of this famous farmers market. It is the center of a transit hub that connects all of San Francisco's neighborhoods and the surrounding bay communities. If you love cooking and food as much as my friend, Rebecca does, you'll absolutely love this place.


A quiet walk on Saturday morning

San Francisco looked beautiful after the rain.

It wasn't difficult at all to find our favorite mall, Nordstrom. In fact, all of my favorite stores are in one place, standing right next to each other. These places that my wallet doesn't love so much, but I do.

Sipping my favorite Green tea latte while waiting for the rain to stop

That's how Starbucks spelled my name. Good job!

Next morning, we were luckier as the sun came out and the sky was clear. We headed to Alcatraz Island as planned.

Alcatraz Island, also known as "The Rock" is one of the most popular tourist attractions in San Francisco. From the 1934 until 1963, Alcatraz was America's premier maximum-security prison, the final stop for the nation's most incorrigible prisoners. Today, Alcatraz is a place of contradictions, with a grim past and an enduring future as one of San Francisco's most prominent landmarks and tourist attractions. You can view more on my travel diary video. The view from the top is amazing.

When in San Francisco, you'd better eat and drink like the locals. There were so many beautiful restaurants, wine bars, and clubs around town that my friends brought me to.

Girl's night out at West Coast Wine. Cheese 

San Francisco is beautiful regardless what time of the day

to the early morning.

On the last day in San Francisco, we had a few hours to explore the city before heading to the airport. There was nothing I wanted to do other than visiting the Lombard Street, the world's most crooked street. 

Crossing the street in style. Check!

It took me a little bit longer time than expected to put this San Francisco travel diary post together as I have so many photos to share and a video (still in the making) to publish. Finally, here is a blog entry that is worth waiting for. Instead of writing about my itinerary spontaneously like I used to, I'll try to summarize the entire trip and make it a list of recommendations, so if you are visiting the Bay area for the first time, you know what to do in San Francisco. 

First thing first, an iconic airplane window view. Leaving Singapore during sunrise and catching the next flight to San Francisco during sunset, I couldn't ask for a better time to fly. After a 7 hour flight, we landed safely in Narita (Tokyo). 

We flew United Airlines. Although the flights were quite pleasant, the food didn't impress me much. The portion was small and the food quality was just average. Nonetheless, I had a smooth and comfortable flight and that's all that matters. 

Arrived at San Francisco on Sunday morning, my friend and I had time to settle down and had a good rest before we started exploring the Bay area. First stop, Fisherman's Wharf of San Francisco.

Fisherman's Wharf is a must-visit place whenever you are in San Francisco. It offers a wide range of land, sea, and air activities such as: San Francisco bay boat cruises, seaplane rides, or bay city bikes. My friend suggested me to try the famous clam chowder so I did. I ordered the seafood spaghetti as my main course and by the time I finished the clam chowder, I was already full. The food was so fresh, so tasty and so much that no matter how much I tried to eat, I couldn't finish it all. 

To cut the long story short, the first thing you should do when you visit Fisherman's Wharf is have the clam chowder and seafood spaghetti. 

The second thing is watching the sunset at the Pier. Trust me, it will blow your mind. 

From this sunset view on the street 

to this view at the Pier 

and the cotton candy sunset that I shared in this blog entry, everything will make your heart sing. 

When the tummy was happy (and full), my eyes started "demanding" for a little rest. Pier2620Hotels knew how important a good sleep is, they put me in a big room with a spacious bed. The rest was a history. 

Next morning, we headed to our office after a good night's sleep. The weather was pretty chilly in the morning (Spring time), but when the sun came out, everything was looking at its best. The sky was blue, the air was crisp, and the flowers were blossoming. In my To-do list, I wrote "Visit The Presidio of San Francisco". Little did I know, I did not only visit this beautiful place, but I came here to work every day when I was there. 

I mean, how lucky could it be for us to call this place our office playground? 

Having a short walk to our lunch place. 

Our office window view. 

Said "Hi" to this little guy, Yoda everyday when I was there. 

Our bright and beautiful canteen area. 

With my awesome team on the first day at work. 

I missed this Vietnamese beef noodle soup. 

And here is the scenic walk around our office in The Presidio of San Francisco. 

If you still don't want to visit this place after seeing those photos, I don't know what else to recommend you. 

Perhaps, you'll find something interesting in my next blog post. For now, thank you for being so patient and following along my journey.  

I remember when I was 18 years old, my mom bought me a delicate white gold necklace as a birthday gift. She said "Your jewelries sometimes can say a lot about your personality". She hoped that tiny necklace with a heart pendant could tell people that I'm a small girl with a big heart, who is sensitive, emotional and fragile.

Then, when I was 20 years old, I left Vietnam to study in Malaysia. Living in another country alone taught me to be independent, be strong, and be fearless. Aggressiveness and stubbornness followed along unfortunately. I found the black leather accessories with spikes and studs most interesting and they were the only necklaces or bracelets that I wore all day long. I felt like a rock-chic who was always ready for her fights.

I learned so many valuable lessons during this time through my failures and hardships. I still remember on one beautiful day, there was a random voice inside my head kept telling me "Nobody cares if you are angry or upset. Anger, aggressiveness or stubborn won't solve anything. It will only hurt yourself more than anyone else". That voice woke me up and made me realize why I hadn't had a taste of true happiness for a long time. I needed a change.  A big change.

I left Malaysia and moved to Singapore at the age of 25 to start all over again. Although it wasn't easy at first, but I tried my best to be patient (with myself and other people), be calm, and be positive. I changed those leather necklaces to the gold jewelries with lots of details and colors as seen on this post. Pearl wasn't in my list at all, simply because I always associated pearls with a much more mature women. 

Now that I have passed the number 30, instead of wearing colorful statement pieces, I only love  dainty rings, delicate yellow gold necklaces, and (guess what) pearls. I no longer see pearls as a part of an old woman's closet.  I see it as a beauty that is produced through pain, time and even sacrifice. People often think pearl jewelries are more appropriate to be worn at a glamorous dinner and dance party or a special event. I say they can be worn at any time or anywhere as long as you like it. I broke the rules and paired these elegant Misaki earrings and necklaces with an edgy all denim outfit. Who knew they could compliment each other so well.

 Just like how this Misaki Hung set breaks the rules with daring and grace, I'm trying to be the woman who lives her life with beauty and strength. 

Thank you so much for reading!

Photos: Zoey Bui

::Outfit::

Zara denim button-down shirt- Similar here

Flare denim jeans- Thanks Esprit

Daniel Wellington watch (Quote "CrystalPhuong" for 15% off)

Gold & pearl necklace and earrings- Thanks Misaki Jewellery

Proenza Schouler handbag

Thierry Mugler sunglasses

Melissa sandals

On the last Friday in San Francisco, I finished my work early and took a chance to explore the other neighborhood before it went completely dark. Thanks Valentino for making these trendy yet comfortable boots, I was able to walk blocks after blocks without pain. By the time I needed to stop to catch my breath, I found myself standing in the middle of the Embarcadero at sunset. A perfect location at the perfect timing. Everything seemed to work so well in the end. 

The Embarcadero has a wide pleasant sidewalk along the City's eastern shoreline, being a great place to walk, bike or skate. If you are in San Francisco, I would highly recommend you to go for a walk at this place, either in the morning to enjoy some fresh air or in the evening to experience San Francisco during rush hour. 

I was there when the sun began to set and I was lucky to witness how San Francisco transformed in between day and night. The street started lightening up, blending in with the cotton candy sky, and creating such a colorful and sparkling picture. The temperature slowly dipped and the wind became less enjoyable at night. But it didn't bother me much as I was having a great time at a place that was full of energy and lights.

My last night in San Francisco couldn't be more magical, don't you think? 

Thank you so much for reading! 

Photos by: Kathleen Sheffer Photography

::Outfit::

BCBG trench coat- Similar here 

ZARA denim- Similar here

Forever21 necklace

Milly handbag- Similar here

Valentino sunglasses

Valentino studded boots (old)

Carlson scarf- Similar here

Uniqlo turtleneck sweater- Similar here