What do you do when feel you need some pick-me-up moments? Do you pack your bag and go travel to places that blow your mind? Or do you indulge in a little bit of guilty pleasure, like having a tub of chocolate fudge Ben & Jerry’s in bed? How about a bit of art and music therapy visiting museums and jazz lounge? That was me a while back when I felt I just need to hit that ‘pause’ button and pull myself away from the routine. I got my suitcase packed without a solid plan of where to go. Three days later, I found myself more than 9,000 miles away from home across the Pacific and started my California-cation, landed in San Francisco and stumbled upon bits and pieces along the golden West Coast.
Hello there, my lost soul! These were places where we met again…
- California Sunshine, Art and Culture..For My Mind
Jaw-dropping view of the rolling blue waves at Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay
The Trolley Car – quintessentially San Francisco
Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco
Breathing in SF heritage at UC Berkeley
- Ben & Jerry’s and the ‘Golden Great’ sugar fix…For My Body
Ahh…refreshing! Need I say more? The goodness of Ben & Jerry’s was nourishing for the body and soul after a day spent under the California sun. The ice creamery may not have been born in San Francisco, but they’ve spread their love to the city by offering a unique flavor called ’San Fran-tastic’. I was apparently a little bit too late for a pint of heaven as it was a one-day only offer in July featuring ingredients that received top votes from the city’s residents.
Apparantly, caramel ice cream with Graham crackers, covered with chocolate from Kika’s Treats, milk chocolate from TCHO and pieces of marshmallow are the keys to finding happiness and a pint of euphoria for people of San Fran. Now this is really drool-worthy! How I wish we’ll soon get a unique Gold Coast flavor with the new B & J’s opened at Surfers Paradise! Now I wonder what makes a perfect scoop of ‘Paradise flavoured’ ice cream?
Ghireldelli – Another San Francisco local’s favorite. My verdict? I’d say their chocolates are so much more addictive than their ice cream or thickshakes, so you know how to plan to spend the rest of your sugar quota wisely (if there is any!).
Don’t go home without: Dark & Sea Salt Caramel Squares – simply divine!
Berry me! @Ferry Building Marketplace
- West Coast Jazz…For My Soul
A night of mellow jazz tunes from the era of Ella Fritgerald at Yoshi’s Oakland ended my day with a delightful note. I find West Coast jazz more appealing than East Coast sound as it’s typically a little bit mellower and more lyrical. A mix of marvelous local artists (and a lot big names performers from time to time), yummy cocktails, bite-size sushi and exquisite jazz lounge at Yoshi’s had me totally melted!
So tell me Dear Reader, where do you travel searching for your lost soul?
Love,
Juliet
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