So by now you know about our trip to SF, all thanks to Pacsun, and what we did that first day. If you don’t, read the first part here and then come back to this one to keep reading on our adventure.
So our second day in the City by the Bay we had to take in a little more of the sights but we also wanted to get to the festival as soon as we could. The hop on/hop off buses were the best choice for sightseeing, so we hopped on a taxi to take us to the Haight Ashbury where we’d catch the bus.
You can’t visit San Francisco and not go to Haight Ashbury, a neighborhood best known for the hippie subculture in the 60’s. The streets are full of art, graffiti, lots of cool vintage stores, hip restaurants and Alfon specially loved Amoeba, which is the world’s largest independent record store. We grabbed lunch at Whole Foods and ate it laying on the grass at the Golden Gate Park while this old, hippie guy played his guitar. There, we hopped on the bus and headed to the Japanese Tea Garden and of course we had to go to the Golden Gate Bridge. Both, so beautiful!
When we were getting to the Golden Gate Bridge, our sightseeing bus got in a little car accident so we got off and went to see the bridge and take some pictures. On our way back, we had to walk about 15 block UP in those SUPER STEEP San Francisco hills to get to our hotel cause we couldn’t find a taxi to get there.
We finally arrived to Outside Lands that afternoon. Alfon was surprised when we got there. We knew it was in the same park we were before, but we had no idea that it was like a forest, we were “OUTSIDE” of the city! The place is magical. It’s set as an enchanted forest with circus installations, magicians, lights, art, graffiti, floating lanterns, tents, etc.. They even have an area dedicated solely to candy!! As well as an area dedicated to beer and one to wine. Arni instantly fell in love with festivals and Alfon says that he was spoiled having this be his first.
Our first show was the YEAH YEAH YEAHS. was pretty cool we got pretty close and saw the amazing show. Karen O’s vocals are amazing and her stage outfit was like the Pope meets disco punk. Soon after that we headed over to see PHOENIX. It was perfect!! They stole our hearts. They put on such an amazing performance. We couldn’t stop dancing the whole show. Alfon even lost her cell phone and didn’t really care. It was so much FUN! We made some new temporary friends, the crowd was going wild and the forrest-like setting added to the effect of it being a magical night.
On our way back to the hotel, we got on a shuttle and met a couple of puerto rican guys who became our friends.
On Sunday, we had the very definition of Sunday Funday. We had brunch at a really nice place called Ella’s. Best blueberry pancakes of our lives. Then, off to the festival. We met with our new puerto rican friends and wandered off into the festival. After FOALS, we hung out in Wine Lands which was really nice, then we saw Vampire Weekend (Ezra, we love you). We tried to get as close as possible but the stage was packed! They performed some of their biggest hits and a few songs from their latest album against a floral backdrop that was super cool. After that we ran (literally) to see Matt & Kim cause Arni was dying to see them. Those two sure know how to throw a party. They gave a great show with their best songs and cool visuals. Arni even found 2 wallets near the stage. Our last act at the festival was the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It was the perfect way to end the festival. Singing “Californication” in what felt like the middle of nowhere and looking at the colored sky, the lights, the trees… it felt surreal. Alfon says she love music festivals because there’s such a great vibe all the time. You bond with the people you’re with, everyone is so happy! It’s like living for a couple of days in a place where there are no responsibilities and music connects everyone. Pure bliss.
And like she said, Arni was completely spoiled. It was definitely his favorite thing about San Francisco and one of his best musical and life experiences to date.
Here are a few pictures of these 2 days.
