Full Disclosure, this is probably going to be one my longer posts and is for my own future reference so I can remember details of this trip when applying to college next fall, for my grandmas so I can update them with pictures, and for whoever else wants my running commentary on my adventures in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
We, my mom and I, flew into San Francisco late Wednesday night and didn’t do much, except the obligatory In-n-Out trip and then sleep.
Thursday morning we woke up for the visit to California State University - East Bay (very long title). After making stops at both Starbucks (as you do) and Target we crossed the San Mateo Bridge to the east side of the Bay. At Target, this is a very small detail, but in an attempt to encourage reusable bags, they charge you 25 cents for every plastic bag you use, take note Colorado.
Unfortunately, it was rainy and cloudy all of Thursday, so the supposed amazing view that you have from the campus, was all fog, still impressive though. After getting thoroughly lost we missed the 11 AM tour and had to wait for the 2 PM tour instead.
In that time we found the "No Room For Racism" signs scattered around Hayward and many many pretty trees and flowers. One of my favorite things about San Francisco is just the variety of plants, there are not just giant palm trees everywhere like in southern California, there's everything? We also got salads back at the school before going back (early this time) for the tour.
As far as the actual university, it’s in a beautiful spot, about 90 minutes outside of San Francisco and all the action, which is reasonable. There is a lot of housing around it and they have pretty big residential areas actually on the campus. Most of the classes are small except for the basic lecture ones that everyone has to take. The library is also huge and has a big glass window that looks over the water, that’s not at all distracting when you need to study!!
After the tour, we drove back across the San Mateo Bridge (there was a $5 toll but only on the way back, weird) and all the way up to downtown San Francisco where we went to this lounge/restaurant on the top floor of a hotel. It was unreasonably expensive but the view was amazing, little bit terrifying, but as it was right at dusk, and nothing short of breathtaking.
Fast forward to the next morning, Friday when we’re back up in San Francisco for the University of San Francisco nursing tour, this time an hour early, planning ahead. The tour started at 11 with a little talk about the program, basically freshman year you learn how to communicate, understand basic biology and the ethics of nursing. Then for 3 years, you do between 90-180 hours of clinicals per semester. On top of time spent in the skills lab preparing for the sim lab, where you are “put on stage” to basically not kill a patient in front of your classmates. Both of the labs were shown on the tour and are super cool and expensive.
The campus is very spread out, with lots of stairs to climb to get to the upper buildings, but on top of the hill there is a beautiful view of San Francisco and also of the bay, nonetheless, mom was not a fan of the stairs. Unlike East Bay, it’s only about 20 minutes outside of the heart of San Francisco and significantly closer to the buzz.
After USF we took the necessary visit to the Golden Gate Bridge, getting pictures down on the trail below the bridge and out on a baby pier nearby. Around 4 PM we moved over to the Pier 39 and parked the car. Having the rental car is both a blessing because we can obviously go wherever we want whenever we want, but finding parking can get a bit tedious.
On the Pier we found dinner and went to a few shops, one of which was exclusively socks, it was mesmerizing. Then proceeded to wander around for a while, finding espresso chip ice cream and sitting down to watch a group of sea lions yelling at each other and flop on and off the boat loading area.
Sadly after the sea lions, we left San Francisco, leaving spend the night in Palo Alto. Overall, the whole city just smells and feels very forward (if that makes any sense outside of my brain) and has the perfect blend of relaxed and intense. Everyone has their own agendas and business to attend to, but at the same time have time to stop and smell the many many colorful flowers that surround the beautiful city.
The liberal values surround every aspect of life, from the very many recycling bins, to the plethora of electric car charging stations, the very many gay flags scattered about, to the class at USF exclusively dedicated to promoting individual human rights of the underserved. The whole premise of San Francisco just makes so much logical sense and I adore it.
Reppin' college gear in front of a killer
Christmas tree.
Boat & Island on east side of Pier 39
Flower Bush Thing at the Golden Gate Bridge
Palm Trees in Hayward
Friday Night Sunset over the Golden Gate Bridge
Full Disclosure, this is probably going to be one my longer posts and is for my own future reference so I can remember details of this trip when applying to college next fall, for my grandmas so I can update them with pictures, and for whoever else wants my running commentary on my adventures in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Thursday morning we woke up for the visit to California State University - East Bay (very long title). After making stops at both Starbucks (as you do) and Target we crossed the San Mateo Bridge to the east side of the Bay. At Target, this is a very small detail, but in an attempt to encourage reusable bags, they charge you 25 cents for every plastic bag you use, take note Colorado. 
As far as the actual university, it’s in a beautiful spot, about 90 minutes outside of San Francisco and all the action, which is reasonable. There is a lot of housing around it and they have pretty big residential areas actually on the campus. Most of the classes are small except for the basic lecture ones that everyone has to take. The library is also huge and has a big glass window that looks over the water, that’s not at all distracting when you need to study!!
The campus is very spread out, with lots of stairs to climb to get to the upper buildings, but on top of the hill there is a beautiful view of San Francisco and also of the bay, nonetheless, mom was not a fan of the stairs. Unlike East Bay, it’s only about 20 minutes outside of the heart of San Francisco and significantly closer to the buzz. 
Christmas tree.
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