How to Spend 48 Hours in San Francisco

Something happens when you first become a parent. You discover a new type of self-sacrificing love unlike any attachment you’ve formed in the past. Tunnel vision sets in and all of your energy and attention turns to your baby– as it should at the moment.

However for many couples, in this season of life, you and your partner also go into roommate mode for awhile, where your conversations are centered on the logistics of childcare, scheduling, intake, output. This happened to me, but probably to the extreme, where I was so focused on the minute details of how the kids were fed and dressed, what media they consumed, the safety of toys with which they played, that often I missed the moments when my husband was trying to connect or spend time with just me.

This also translated into vacations. Even after the birth of our son in 2021, I was reluctant to leave my kids behind when we traveled, except for the times I had to travel solo for work. I continue to believe that traveling with children is important for both kids and parents, but more on that in a separate post. I was too attached and too controlling to leave my kids with anyone else. However, I recognize that time away alone is important for a marriage, so finally after my son turned one, I dipped my toes in the water, a trial run if you will, with a weekend trip to San Francisco to attend a friend’s wedding.

While we traversed Lombardi Street, strolled through the Palace of Fine Arts, or took a morning walk at Golden Gate Beach, I still spent most of the time obsessing from the other side of the country if my kids were eating healthy or watching too much tv. But, for all the moments that I wasn’t, these are the sights, meals, and accommodations that we enjoyed.

What to See

Day 1

• Lombardi Street & San Fran Trolley Ride
• Ghirardelli Square – Dreamily decadent hot chocolate, but think enough to not finish.
• Fisherman’s Wharf and lazy seals at Pier 39- You’ll smell the seals before you see them and catch technicolor sunsets!

Day 2

• Palace of Fine Arts
• Golden Gate Beach and Bridge
• Ferry Market

Where to Eat

• Breakfast at Honey Honey Cafe & Creperie
• Lunch at Piccolo Forno
• Dinner at Ciccino or Sorella

Where to Stay

Kimpton Hotel (Marriott Autograph Collection)- the decor and furnishings are elegant, giving it a boutique hotel look, and we were greeted upon arrival with champagne since we were celebrating a dating anniversary.

I look back at our trip to San Francisco reminded of a story that my father-in-law shared at our wedding: A middle-aged couple is forced to decide to let go of friends and family through the course of their life. One by one, the wife is able to eliminate close friends and relatives using logical rationale, but when it comes down to her parents, children and husband, she has a tough decision to make. Eventually, she realizes that her parents will pass on and her kids will grow up to leave the nest and create families of their own. In the end, all you have is the relationship with your partner, which is why it requires continuous strengthening through each phase of life.

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