Pick up the pace here, Spring
My daffodils and crocuses (crocii?) are up, and yet. It keeps snowing and being cold. I like this not at all. But hey, I'm going to San Francisco next week, so suck on that, Spring! I realize that the weather in San Francisco can be cold and windy and rainy, but by Grabthar's Hammer, it won't be snowing. This week their forecast shows 70s and sunny. I can definitely take that.
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What's even more exciting is that my sister-in-law offered to watch the Tiny Dark Lord for us while we are gone. Spitfire is also going to get in on the babysitting action, and I am trying to think of really nice thank-you gifts for both of them. I will miss my baby's sweet face and his spirited rendition of "Yellow Submarine," but I am kind of beyond thrilled to be taking an adults-only sort of trip.
We leave Wednesday morning and come home Sunday night, and I wanted to be sure to float my itinerary so that wise people can weigh in and make suggestions that are not on here but will send me into the depths of despair if I miss out on them.
Here are a few of the things on my list of must-dos and maybe-dos. We bought the San Francisco CityPass, which gives us public transportation passports (not planning to rent a car, and our hotel is decently central--kind of between Nob Hill, Union Square, and Chinatown).
Other things from the pass that we hope to do:
Alcatraz Cruise
California Academy of Sciences
Exploratorium
the SMOMA, unless we decide we don't want to be cultured
One bummer (for us) about the pass is that the price barely went up because it now includes the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is 2 hours away & we aren't planning to go there. Oh well.
Oh! Has anyone been to the Disney Museum at the Presidio? We are looking into that.
GH is beyond thrilled because we snagged tickets to see the premier of Joss Whedon's new Much Ado about Nothing at the San Francisco Film Festival. You may remember that I married a rabid Joss Fan. The theater is in Japantown, so I will be shopping for bento boxes and Japanese dishes beforehand.
I am beyond thrilled at the possibility of getting together with Lady J and our good friend Skip, who both live in the area. Also GH has a delightful cousin who is even now looking at her schedule to see if we might be able to work out a meet-up.
The other thing I'm most excited about is the food. Now that I don't spend every evening lying on the couch while holding my stomach, gurgling, and hating everything, I kind of want to eat the whole city, especially all the stuff I've been reading about on everyone else's blogs of hipness.
Lots of what I want to try is in the Mission district:
Tartine Bakery
Bi-Rite Creamery, with ice cream flavors like salted caramel and honey lavender and I know not what
La Taqueria
Dynamo Donut: They have a maple donut with bacon on top. Ron Swanson would approve.
And then I will take those foods to that Dolores Park Playground everyone recommends and eat them. I might check out the two yarn stores in the area as well.
And a lot more of the stuff I want is at the Ferry Building:
Cowgirl Creamery
Boulette's Larder
Miette Bakery & Candy Shop
Plus the olive oil stores and the salt stores and the bread stores, oh my!
Then there's Chinatown:
Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory
Golden Gate Bakery (The people on Yelp are losing their minds over the egg tarts. What? New forms of custard to ingest? Don't mind if I do.)
Seafood:
Chowders on Pier 39 (a family tradition)
The Codmother Fish & Chips (British food truck with deep-friend Snickers and Oreos, awesome )
Am trying to decide on a sit-down seafood place that moves up from the $ to the $$ category but does not get all $$$ crazy. Yelp has recommendations, but does anyone here have any favorites?
Also, I've never tried oysters. Is anyone else a fan? I realize that pregnancy is probably not the best time to go for the raw seafoods, but wouldn't you think you could find some pretty fresh, reputable ones in SF?
So. Anybody else have any good things to add to the list?
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I'm Steph, a librarian and mom of 3 (not sure how that happened). Let's chat books, food, Sumptuous Literary Adaptations, poop, knitting and maybe some crazy Mormon Feminism.
20 comments:
I am very, very jealous about that film premier. Also, if you have the transportation means, I highly recommend the Jelly Belly Factory, which is a little farther afield. And the goods at Ghiradelli Square are delightfully tasty. Otherwise, I think your plans look awesome.
I like the Little Italy section and you can get yummy sandwiches there. I like the Monterey Bay Aquarium if you can get zip car pass it is worth it. We have Cowgirl Creamery in DC and it is cheese heaven.
A lot of my friends seem to love the Palace of Fine Arts because it's pretty and Muir Woods for some sequoia action.
I'm going to SF in the fall so I'd love to know your recap of the trip.
One of my favorite restaurants is there (which is saying something, because it's Greek and Greek food is pretty much favorite) and VERY much worth checking out: www.kokkari.com
You know, I grew up in that area and sadly I did not fully take advantage of all the city has to offer. But I guess when you are license-less (and clueless) you don't get around much. I DID hit Alcatraz Island on a visit right after college graduation and loved it. I found it fascinating.
The shopping is quite fantastic as well. Kinda the NYC of the west.
My parents always loved Tadich grill, the city's oldest restaurant in continuous operation. Supposedly their seafood is phenomenal.
Have fun!!
So jealous! I grew up in the area (though, I couldn't tell you a thing about it except that Ghiradelli square has some of the most delicious sundaes on this earth) and I've been meaning to go back at some point. Have so much fun!
I foolishly left behind my sweaters when I went to San Fran and I FROZE the whole time. So my only advice is to pack some warm stuff.
Enjoy Much Ado - it looks awesome!
So fun! Color me jealous. You should have Cortney talk to John's brother Justin. He lives in San Francisco as we speak and is a fountain of knowledge about all the best things to do there.
I haven't been to San Fran for about 14 years (eesh, am I really that old?!) but if you were at all baseball fans I'd tell you to go to a Giants game. Ha. Other than that I am no help. But I'm pretty sure your life would be complete if you saw the Full House house, am I right?
Bring me one of everything and I will reward you handsomely with lifelong adoration.
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Even though I personally may not end up seeing you, I'm glad you're coming and it will be nice to know SOMEone's hitting the film festival.
Aaaah! So jealous!
I was just up in the city for work today, and it was GORGEOUS, like 75 degrees and absolutely beautiful. Do some wandering when you're in the Mission, and go by Humphry Slocombe for even more ice cream (as though you could ever have enough, right?) and El Farolito for burritos. Basically, eat burritos at every chance you get-- they're a local specialty, no matter what the tourist traps in Fisherman's Wharf tell you. (Although you need to eat All the Crab, too, so do that.) The Walt Disney Family Museum is really interesting, and the Presidio is a pretty place to hang out, so definitely go there if you have time. Oh, and stop at any of the many (many, many) little espresso bars in North Beach (the Italian area, near Coit Tower and Chinatown), even if it's only to people-watch.
Sadly, I've never been to SF, but everything you planned sounds pretty awesome. Your list of possible food stops is also making my stomach growl.
I'd love to read a rundown when you get back! Then when we actually do make it there, I'll have the firsthand account of what is great. :)
Have a great time!
I live raw oysters, but eat them while pregnant? No. Way. Save this for later. You can get good ones at Market Street Grill or Broiler in SLC.
Ooh, a trip without TDL! I'm even more jealous!
I'm a long time reader and spent a handful of years in SF. You should get breakfast at Mama's by Washington Square. Plan on waiting in a ridiculous line but when you get in, order the Monte Cristo. Also, if you are a Disney fan, you'll dig the Presidio Museum.
I'm so happy you plan to pay homage to the culinary delights in this area. Last time we had a visitor, he wanted us to find the closest Papa Johns. What a waste. Can't wait to see you!
Visit the Legion of Honor museum (truly fab), and get breakfast or brunch at Honey Honey.
Oh, and BTW, the SFMOMA is my most favorite of all the museums I've visited, and I'm not even that into modern art. Go figure.
If you got to La Taqueria (we went there a few weeks ago, good burrito but the place down the street from my house is better) be sure to go to the Italian Bakery next door, Dianda's and try a fedoritti. When you are down in the tourist trap that is Fisherman's Wharf, be sure to visit the Musee Mecanique at Pier 45. It's one of my favorite places to visit when I am in SF with visitors. It's free but bring some cash so you can get quarters to play some of the very old penny arcade games. Looking forward to seeing you!
You should also consider going to the De Young Museum. Right now you can see 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' by Vermeer.
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