San Francisco, Day Four

The day started early today! The early bird gets the worm... or gets to be first in line for breakfast at Dottie's True Blue Cafe in The Tenderloin. They open at 7:30, and we were warned that there is ALWAYS a line and a wait, so we got there maybe around 7:00. Breakfast was great though I found it to be pricey and a bit over-hyped. I still enjoyed it a lot. 

Here is the running list of what I saw and did today:

Dottie's True Blue Cafe <-- breakfast

City Lights Bookstore <-- for a bit of a Jack Kerouac moment

The Beat Museum <-- for more Kerouac moments (and other beatnik gems)

Chinatown

The Ferry Building

Lunch from Boccalone (located in the Ferry Building [ate outside by the water]) <-- Highly recommend the Dry Cucumber Soda

Occupy SF
The sunset from a rooftop
Walked around and had dinner in The Castro
Cable Car Ride

Quick Visual:

San Francisco, Day Three

 Day Three was great! We started out by heading to the Golden Gate Bridge, and walking to the half way mark and back. Then from there, it was a very short trip to Fort Point (located directly under the bridge), so we checked that out. It was really cool to check out the underbelly of the Golden Gate Bridge.

 From there, we moved onto The Haight. We scoped out Amoeba Music (very cool if you're a music person... pretty impressive vinyl selection), went in a few other shops (including a Head Shop as one is want to do when in The Haight), and of course, as cheesy as it is, had my picture taken at Haight & Ashbury.

 From there, I met up with my friend that I haven't seen since we were theatre interns together ten years ago in New Hampshire, and we had a picnic of fresh figs and goat cheese in Dolores Park, where we spotted a giant adult slip n' slide (would have gone down it if we didn't have plans to go to the theatre). We then took the Muni to Union Square to meet our friend Susan (who was also in our intern company) and hung out with her for a bit before checking out her performance of David Mamet's 'Race' at A.C.T. After catching the show and meeting Susan at the stage door, we went to Grand Cafe, which was excellent for drinks and a noshing session, and more time to chat and catch up. The two of them got me on the right bus, and I headed back to home base.

 It was a long, yet excellent day with great friends and family, and I really couldn't have asked for more.

 Per usual, here are a few photos from the day:

San Francisco, Day Two

 So today was another great, yet overwhelming day. Today was... family day! I can honestly say that I feel very strongly that I have seen a great deal of Golden Gate Park! While there may have been several stones still unturned, I saw, what seemed like, the majority of the park.

 The day started out at the Japanese Tea Garden. Great place to walk around and take photos on a beautiful sunny day. We drank some tea and had a snack. From there, we moved on to the Botanical Gardens, which was huge and impressive. After that, we met up with more family at the tower at the de Young Museum, where you can catch an AMAZING view. Oh! And... going up in the tower is free, so travelers take note! From there, it was just walking, walking, walking. We passed the Buffalo in the park, which were all laying down and still as logs. We happened upon some sort of Alice In Wonderland croquet game, where the people were dressed up as the characters, AND playing with pink flamingo mallets.  Brilliant. We passed by the Windmill, and many other portions of the park.

After all of that walking, we were MORE than ready for dinner (and a beer), so we set out to find a spot, and we landed in a little whole in the wall Indian/Pizza place. Golden Gate Pizza & Indian Cuisine.  In all honesty, I was a little nervous about it, but the food was great! This place is at Judah and 46th in the Outer Sunset. So good, and I'd highly recommend the Vegetables Korma. <-- No joke.

 Well... here are a few photos to sum up the day:

FAMOUS Buena Vista Irish Coffee

I thought people were telling lies about Buena Vista's Irish Coffee. It's like when someone tells you that you should go see a movie because it's the best movie ever made... your expectations are high, but really, all of the best parts were given away in the previews, and it left nothing for you to enjoy. Well... that's not the case with Buena Vista at all. So good. You walk into this little (pretty unsuspecting) place, and it's a hub. All of the seats and tables are filled with laughing people, and the bartenders are pouring Irish Coffees faster than you can order them.
 It's pretty magical. They line up the glasses, pour boiling water into them to warm them up, drop in two sugar cubes, pour in the coffee and Irish Whiskey at the same time, then top it with the cream. And it all goes pretty quickly. I am not a fan of Irish Coffee, but I figured when in Rome... and I'm so glad I did. It was spectacular. I sat at the bar, met some lovely people, we had great coffee and great conversation, and they even sprang for my second coffee! It was great.

Check out the history of the Buena Vista and their famous Irish Coffee here:

http://www.thebuenavista.com/home/irishcoffee.html

San Francisco, Day One

 Today (10/21) was my first day in San Francisco, and I think I did pretty well for myself! I have to say that I walked what felt like quite a lot, and though I hate to admit it, my legs are really feeling it. I was hoping to walk for most of my trip, but I might actually break down and research public transportation. Boo, hiss.

   So here is where I went/what I saw/what I experienced today in list form, which I will follow with a few snapshots form my day...

Last night after landing:

View of Golden Gate Bridge

Ride down Lombard Street

A bit of Russian Hill <-- area where I'm staying

Today:

Upper & Lower Polk

Musee Mecanique

Fisherman's Warf

Seals/Pier 39

Ghirardelli Square

Buena Vista Cafe- Irish Coffee (which they are famous for) <-- two strangers paid for my Irish coffee and wished my luck with my show

de Young Museum

Inner Sunset

Prepare Thyself...

Well... it's here. I'm flying out to the West coast this week! I'm not sure where the time went, but it flew by in a flash. Time got away from me, and now I have all of this prep to do, people I want to see, etc. Friday was my last day at the office. We had a potluck lunch, then we all went out for drinks after work, and a few of my non-work friends came out as well!

 Spots I visited this week/end:

Merkles

City Pool Hall

Orange

The Left Bank

Runway Revival

Sweet Mandy B's

  So... as is my style as of late, enough with words, let's move to the photos!

Score!

One of my very closest, absolutely dearest friends in the world is getting married in June, and has said that those of us in the bridal party (eep!) can wear any navy blue dress of our choosing. Whatever we are happy and comfortable in. Well... I'm not really one of those girls who is comfortable in or overly interested in your typical bridal party satin number. So I've been really searching for ideas, and possible stores, etc. In this evening's research, I can accross a photo of this dress, which lead me to the Target website of all places! CLEARANCE! Bargin? Yes, please. This might be the one for the big event, or it might not. Either way, how could I turn it up at that price? Score!

http://www.target.com/p/Women-s-Plus-Size-CALYPSO-St-Barth-for-Target-Navy-Blue-Off-Shoulder-Dress/-/A-13311373