I don’t know how many times we been to San Francisco. I’m thinking AT LEAST five times. And EVERY time we have done all the touristy things including Golden Gate Bridge, Downtown San Francisco, Fisherman’s Wharf, Sausalito and Coit Tower.

We had always stayed in downtown in pretty impressive places. The Le Meridien San Francisco had an amazing view of the Bay Bridge, especially with the night lights shining against the dark waters. The Palace San Francisco displayed its historic charm in an extravagant detailed way. BUT the icing on the cake was the Marriott Marquis, where we stayed last year. It had breathtaking 360 degree roof top views of the city, a gym that could NEVER be classified as your ‘typical’ hotel gym and a delicious and appealing buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner! What else could you even ask for? I mean my husband and I did not want to LEAVE the hotel! I guess that could be a reason why not to stay at that hotel!

This year would be different though. We ‘accidentally’ took the road less travelled. It all started with opting to stay at an Airb. I always had doubts about staying in someone else’s house, but hey, A NEW ADVENTURE!

Golden Gate Park was another one of those touristy spots we kind of put fthinking it was like another ‘OTHER’ park we have been to. Boy was I wrong! To say Golden Gate Park is amazing is an understatement! We enjoyed waterfalls and lakes, tea and rose garden… nature at its best in the city! It was another way to experience a Bay Area lifestyle by staying in a suburb of San Francisco. Along Judah Street, we found some awesome local finds including a quaint book store, a couple of fancy yet simple coffee shops, scrumptious eateries including Celia’s By the Beach and PUBLIC transportation (MUNI) two blocks away! How did we get so lucky?!!!

Along our train route, we experienced more local shops at Irving St. and Judah, while on our way to the all too familiar hustle and bustle of downtown San Francisco.

Just having the luxury of having the train 2 blocks away from our Airbnb was a blessing! After our trip, I appreciate the ability of public transportation and enjoying the ride as well as walking EVERYWHERE! I try to continue this practice as much as I can while I have been back in SoCal. Walking in the mornings as well as walking with the kids to school has given me a different perspective to enjoy the city and the company you are with. My family and I reconnected on a whole other level just by experiencing the city from a suburban point of view. This is the way to enjoy and experience living off the BEATEN PATH! My family and I appreciated the opportunity to experience San Francisco like we have never experienced it before. No car, No TV, away from the city! How invigorating!

Just the simple change of experiencing the city by staying in an Airbnb suburb with no car, no television and just each other can make such an impact to the experience. NO TECHNOLOGY! You find hidden gems, reconnect with those around you and just experience and enjoy what comes along!

Golden Gate Park was another one of those touristy spots we kind of put of off thinking it was like any ‘OTHER’ park we have been to. Boy was I wrong! To say Golden Gate Park is amazing is an understatement! We enjoyed waterfalls and lakes, tea and rose garden… nature at its best in the city!