Walking around the pier areas in San Fran we smelled some fantastic bread cooking in Boudins and decided to go in and get lunch. We were not disappointed; the soup and chowder in sourdough bread rolls was delicious and the half sandwich/roll we had with it was good too. I'm not a coffee drinker but my partner said theirs was quite good (and he had a lot of bad coffee over the course of our trip).
The shop is set up nicely with coffee and other drinks served on one side and the food on the other, with decorative breads shaped like animals etc available for purchase as well as gourmet foods and souvenirs etc. There's plenty of seating, though it would be nice if there was also outdoor area for eating on a nice day.

We will definitely go back if we return to San Fran.

This is a large cafeteria style bakery/restaurant. They serve three kinds of soup in their freshly baked sourdough bowls. We chose the chowder which was creamy and good, mild clam flavor. The hero was the bread, super fresh, crusty and chewy outside,, tender inside. Don't skip the bakery counter, they sell wonderful chocolate covered macaroons, they call them chocolate haystack. Only downside....it's hard to find a table and tables are not vacant long enough to get wiped down. Still a fun and Tasty option.

Trip Advisor Fall/Winter 2017 2018
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge 3 photos: Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, & Grey Heron
We stopped by here the first time in late summer and had a helpful conversation with the ranger who suggested us to return in the fall/winter. Though we did stay and drive thru the area, we have enjoyed it most this winter. While touring you must stay in your vehicle at all times. I highly recommend packing binoculars and a camera with a telephoto lens. Allow about 45 minutes to drive the one-way loop.

Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center, Stevenson, WA
This is a beautiful drive on Highway 14 which hugs the Columbia River. There is something here for everyone! There is a Mac Logging truck, a small airplane, and a fish wheel in the grand gallery. Lots of well displayed info about the early timber and salmon fishing and the resident Native American culture. Their beautiful baskets, early engineering tools used to build railroads and highways thru the very scenic and historic area, and pioneer quilts. This is a must see!

Frenchmen’s Bar, Vancouver
This is a wonderful year round park. The views of the Columbia River and mountains can be stunning. There is a paved trail just outside the park that is a popular walking path to and from Frenchmen’s Bar. Though the river may appear tranquil, it is still a shipping lane. Lots of activities are scheduled here, especially during the summer: beach volley ball, BBQs and covered picnic areas, etc.

Pearson Air Museum, Vancouver
Fascinating history to be discovered here!
This museum is located at Fort Vancouver National Park. There are numerous planes exhibited here, some suspended in the air others on the floor. It goes back to the golden age of aviation, when the Germans lead aviation, and moves forward during the first world war when America began building planes here using Alaska spruce. There is the hands-on exhibit of spruce and why it was used almost exclusively in their construction. A tent like those typically used for the Army & logger laborers is there too. Be sure to go upstairs to learn about Chkalov’s trans-polar flight, the first of its kind in the world. It landed here in Vancouver, WA in June 1937. Amazing!

The airfield is active and used regularly by small planes so you won’t have to wait long to watch one land or take off.

Ghiradelli Square San Francisco

Wharf, San Francisco

Bodin’s Bakery

Get your Sourdough fix here!
We all enjoyed our lunch here, at the Pier 39 location, Christmas week. We ordered their sourdough bowls filled with clam chowder, and a pizza. Afterwards, we stopped at their huge location, 160 Jefferson St, and picked up more bread to take home. This location has a great variety of shaped loaves, a restaurant with a view of the water if that’s more to your liking, and a huge window along the street where you can watch them bake! Enjoy!

This was one of the top things listed to do when we were preparing to visit SF. The food was good but not spectacular. The sourdough bread was fantastic overall but the rest of the sandwich was only ok. The service was good and the place was very clean.

We stopped here for lunch since friends recommended it. The place was very busy. We chose to wait 45 minutes for a table in the full dining area. While waiting we enjoyed ourselves in the museum and watching the processes from the mezzanine. The menu had good selections and we all found our chosen food right away. 2 kids cheese pizzas, chowder in a bread bowl, fish and chips plus fried calamiri. 1 soda, 1 Irish coffee and 2 waters. 102.00 u.s.d.... We thought the food was ok but the view was worth the money. We had a great table to and a free basket of sourdough bread.