When we arrive in San Francisco we’re heading straight for our hotel, the Hilton in Union Square on O’Farrell Street.

I’m looking forward to staying there.  I love the idea of staying in the heart of Union Square.  It’s such a great part of the city.  One thing I noticed on their website – the Hilton has a Starbucks right in the hotel.  You just know I’ll throw on my jeans in the morning and head down for a cup of tea and maybe sit in the lobby to read the newspaper or catch up on emails for a little bit before starting my day.

People who know me know I’m a Starbucks aficionado.  In fact, I’m thinking about writing an ebook on how to get the best deals when you order your favorite cuppa at the ubiquitious coffee joints with the green mermaid on the cup.  Sometimes how you order can cut the price of your beverage by half. Really!  Think about it.

Order a Venti Latte – and you’re looking at a $4.25 beverage.  If you order a Grande coffee in a Venti cup and add the milk yourself you’re now looking at about a $2.50 beverage.  Big difference if you do it over and over again every day.

Our reservation is for a room with two beds. Oh, all the rooms have flat screen TVs.  Usually when I travel with Ernie I like to get a room with one queen or king bed because there’s often more room for a nice club chair or a loveseat and desk.  Because this trip I’ll be meeting up with my sister, we’ve opted for two beds in our room.

The hotel looks like it offers a lot of amenities: restaurants, meeting space and much more.  There are so many fabulous restaurants in San Francisco, but sometimes it’s nice to just make it easy on yourself and have breakfast or dinner at the hotel for a few meals. When I get there I want to take a video tour and share it here.

One of the restaurants at the Hilton is called, The Urban Tavern. I posted a picture below.  Looks like it’s a pretty casual place – which suits the way we live now.  I’ve lightened up on a lot of my eating lately – I’ve been keeping to a healthy diet the last couple months, so my aim is to keep it healthy on this and future trips. No Sweet and Sour Pork in Chinatown. If we go to one of the great Italian restaurants in San Francisco I’ll have to figure out a way to sidestep the pasta.  Grilled veggies anyone?

Don’t you just love that funky cow sculpture in the restaurant? Or is it a horse?

Right near the Hilton is a lot of amazing shopping adventures.  One of the things we said we want to do in SF is a little “retail therapy.” I have no idea what I want to buy.  I just redecorated my porch as you know.  In fact I replaced the two cafe chairs in one of the pictures with green wicker ones. I don’t need a doggone thing.  But I’m sure I’ll find an amazing pair of shoes or earrings or something.  So every time I wear them I’ll be reminded of the trip.

I love getting small treasures that are a reminder of a great time – especially usable items.  In my bathroom I have a little plaster bas relief of ancient Greek soldiers perched on a small easel from a cruise through the Greek Isles.  I got it during a stop in Rhodes.  In my kitchen is a wonderful pitcher for water or juice shaped like a chicken that came from a stop on the island of Lesbos. I have a favorite silver bracelet from a week in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. When I went to the Winter Olympics a few years ago I bought one of those bells you hear spectators ringing as the downhill skiiers race down the mountain.  It’s not practical – but a reminder of my trip and has a place of pride on my bookcase.

Just nine more days before jetting off to The City by the Bay.  Can’t wait.  Looking forward to share more about my trip when I get there.  I’ve been to San Francisco a few times before.  Been to Alcatraz, Pier 39, Nob Hill, rode the cable cars and a few more of the standard sights.  What do you recommend I do while in San Francisco?

(These pictures are from the Hilton website.)