Adventuring half way around the world comes, inevitably, with occasional (and occasionally overwhelming) doses of homesickness. So what do you do when the cravings for home and loved ones gets a bit much? Meet a friend from home at a halfway point, of course. As you do.
That’s how I found myself in San Francisco last December for a week of exploring, eating and generally having a blast. San Fran seems to spark endless adoration from everyone who visits and I have certainly joined the ranks of those gushing about how wonderful the city is. I can’t quite pinpoint what it is that I love so much about San Fran. Perhaps it was the glorious weather (it was the warmest December week in the city’s history!), the eclectic architecture, mind-blowing food or the chilled out, all-welcoming charm. Whatever it is, San Francisco had me from hello and I definitely didn’t want to say goodbye.
Rather than take the usual tourist routes, we spent most of the week just wandering around the city, discovering one amazing neighbourhood after another and taking advice from friends and locals on the best spots to see, sit, drink and, most importantly, eat. And by golly, there were some incredible places to eat!
I could continue prattling for pages about our adventures but instead, here are a few of my favourite snaps from the trip (Instagram of course!)…
San Fran fog at Fisherman’s Wharf
The Golden Gate Bridge peeking through San Fran’s famous fog – views from Telegraph Hill
Alamo Square houses. Alas, none of the Full House cast could be found…
San Fran fire escapes
Dotti’s True Blue Cafe – food worth the wait!
The food worth waiting for…
The always-gorgeous Golden Gate Bridge
Cafe Trieste – seems that the awesomeness of the coffee maker’s mo is directly correlated with the deliciousness of the latte…
The San Fran fun was too great to contain in just one post, so stay tuned for more soon!
Yours in California dreaming…
xx
P.S. Thinking of heading to San Fran? Do it! And if you do…
- Cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge, but make sure to pick a day without gale force winds…
- Take a night tour of Alcatraz. Believe me, it’s worth it just for the sunset ferry ride.
- For amazing local food, check out the Ferry Building. This glorious 19th century building used to be a major transport hub for the city when ferries were the main means of travel. It is now a ‘people’s marketplace’ showcasing local produce and products. The best time to go is on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday morning when the Farmers’ Market spills out into the surrounding streets. Make sure you take an empty stomach and your camera!
- Check out some of our favourite eating spots – Farmer Brown (real southern food in a cool and brooding space. Drinks are served in Mason jars – need I say more?), Mamacita (delicious Mexican food and equally delicious wait staff), Dottie’s True Blue Cafe (nothing to do with Australia but everything to do with an old-style diner and mind-blowingly good breakfasts), The Grove on Fillmore (more delicious brunch!) and Pearl’s Deluxe Burgers (the best burgers you’ll EVER have).
- Visit The Pirate Store (San Francisco’s ONLY independent pirate supply store), part of the amazing 826 Valencia children’s literacy initiative. Pick up a glass eye, some ‘Scurvy Begone’ or some mermaid bait and try to avoid getting caught stealing treasure…
- Walk. Just explore. North Beach, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Castro, Mission District, Nob Hill, the Haight, China Town – each neighbourhood has its own distinct identity just waiting to be discovered. Take some good walking shoes and tackle some of the San Fran hills – it makes for a great workout (to work off all the fabulous food!).
Isn’t it gorgeous?!? Just looking at these photos makes me want to crack out the sewing kit… Sewing sesh anyone?
