The San Francisco Giants & Gotham Club

I'm so behind on telling you guys what I've been up to! Back in August, my parents came to visit and we went to a Giants game! I had been talking to them about coming down for a game for a while, but with both our busy schedules it was just a matter of picking a date and getting it on the calendar. 

We finally got a few dates that worked for both of us, and decided to make a day out of it and go to a Thursday afternoon game, then enjoy a nice dinner out in the city. Since Andrew had just started his new job the month before, he couldn't join us for the game, but I was looking forward to spending the day with my parents. Plus, my generous friends Corrie and Erica gave us their tickets for the day, so we had great seats! And as if it couldn't get any better, my boss gave us his guest passes for the new Gotham Club at AT&T Park!! For those of you not in San Francisco, it's a new and exclusive area of the ballpark with a restaurant, bar, bowling ally, and pool table as well as access to the field and batting practice! It's a members only portion of the stadium, but members are given a few guest passes each season. To say I was excited about going is an understatement! 

We couldn't have been blessed with a more beautiful day! We woke up and walked to one of our favorite breakfast spots in the neighborhood before heading down to the ball park. We wanted to get there early, hoping to watch batting practice and spend some time in the Gotham Club before the game started. Unfortunately, the Giants didn't have batting practice that day since the game went late the night before, but we did see the Rockies warming up. 

The Gotham Club was so awesome, the walls were covered in old Giants memorabilia, there was so much to look at. After we watched the Rockies warm up for a bit, my Mom and I went back inside to get a drink. I ordered a beer and my Mom wanted to get a Shandy, so we asked the bar tender if they could do that. He was quite the character and said that he could "make" lemonade and create something similar, we almost decided against it since we weren't sure how it'd turn out. But he insisted he was going to make us something we'd like and if not, he said he'd drink it himself - ha! I think he used some ginger ale, lemon juice and simple syrup with a light german beer. It was awesome, I was jealous I didn't get one too.  He said it was my Mom's special drink, and she should name it. So we decided on "Hunter Pence Drinks Shandy's" sticking with the theme of the Hunter Pence Signs. I'm sure no one will ever see it on the menu, but it was still fun chatting it up with the bar tender. And a fun side note; if you're ever there ordering a drink, get a Manhattan, the ice cubes are molded like baseballs! 

When they opened up the field for people to walk to their seats, we weren't quite done with our drinks, so our friend behind the bar hooked us up with some little Gotham Club plastic wine glasses to take with us :) After we got to our seats, there was still about a half hour before game time so we went up to the game area of the Gotham Club. It was quite a trip seeing a bowling ally and pool table at the stadium! As much as I loved being there with my parents, I hope someday to go back with friends and take full advantage of everything the Gotham Club has to offer! 

It was an awesome game, the Giants won! My mom hadn't been to a game since she and my Dad went back in the 1970's, in the Candlestick days! My Dad grew up watching the Giants, so I know he really enjoyed the day. I think he liked seeing all the old memorabilia in the Gotham Club, and of course watching the Giants win on such a perfect San Francisco day!

After the game, we walked around a bit and got coffee before heading home to meet Andrew. We had reservations at Baker & Banker, which had been on my restaurant list for a long time. It was the perfect spot to end our day. I didn't take any pictures, but if you're ever looking for a delicious dinner spot in the city, with a small neighborhood vibe, this is the spot! Our meal was incredible, one of the best meals I've had since moving to San Francisco.

It was such a great day with my parents, enjoying the city and our favorite baseball team! I'm so glad we were able to find a date that worked, and lucked out with Gotham Club tickets too. Crossing my fingers I'll get to go back with friends, preferably for a Friday night game! 

Even though I'm just a few hours from home, I'm glad it's close enough that my parents can come visit for an impromptu date like this. I sure do miss seeing them all the time, but fun days like this help make up for it!  My Dad and I have been having a blast texting during Post Season, I can't wait for the game Saturday!

Let's Go Giants!!!