For my birthday, I requested to go to San Francisco to see the sea lions on Pier 39.

Party in the city for my birthday, that's if you call cable cars, Lombard Street and sea lions a party. If so, we can definitely be friends. Thankfully, Cole treated me to a day in the city, even though he doesn't love waiting in lines like a tourist on the weekend.

First stop, the cable cars. And by stop, I mean, stop and wait at the end of the line and slowly make our way all the way around the cable car turnaround. The wait, while met with some disgust, included some book reading, ticket buying and pretzel eating. Eventually, we hoped inside and rode the cable car all the way to the top of Lombard Street.

The cable cars also top my list of SF activities. (Yes, I am obviously a total sucker for the tourist traps.)

We are in the long line to ride up toward Lombard Street and Pier 39.

This girl is tired of waiting just like me. We have so much longer to wait.

We are finally inside and Cole looks more okay with the wait.

We rode inside for this journey.

Eee. We made it up to Lombard Street.

I've been to SF a handful of times, but I've never been to this famous, curvy block: Lombard Street. It's a small little site, but it's pretty cool. Many, many people are slowly making their way down in their car, but you can also stroll down the sidewalk/stairs that line the sidewalk. Along the way, you get to see the beautiful flowers that someone spends a ton of time manicuring.

From the top of hill, you can see Coit Tower.

Turn, turn, turn.

When it's your birthday, it's okay to be a tourist.

The one block of curvy street is lined with lots, and lots, of pretty flowers.

And even in this nice purple shade.

Lots of cards slowly make their way down this block, at the recommended 5 mph.

Oh, hey.

Next, we walked over to Pier 39 where the sea lions famously hang out. Before the main event, we ate some lunch and took in the views of the Bay and Alcatraz at the end of the pier.

On to Pier 39 with Alcatraz views and sea lion friends.

Holy ship!

Lots of people were making their way out to tour Alcatraz on this weekend.

Riding the Bay waves.

Cole dropped some coins, sadly not dimes, into the viewer. Turns out, it offers some pretty sucky views.

:)

And here they are! How cute — and silly! Two years ago when I visited the Pier the sea lions had mysteriously vanished. Thank goodness they are back! They have been hanging out here since 1989, the year I was born. It was just meant to be. From on the pier, we watched as the sea lions bathed in the sun, mostly. Their afternoons also include some splashing, barking, fighting, and flopping around on top of each other trying to find a cozy spot. In the water they look so sleek. On the dock, they are so goofy.

Who we came all this way to see!

Aww, poor little guy.

Sea lion snugs.

But seriously, how cute are they. After this afternoon of birthday fun, Cole and I headed back home via faster transportation that was still pretty cute. Muni here we come.

Cole is finding out how to get us back home in a faster manner than cable car.

Muni here we come!

Thank you, Cole, for the fun birthday trip to the city. :)