San Fran GetAway

Hey there hOMies,
In case you didn’t notice Scott and I slipped out of the “office” for a little getaway to San Francisco. This was my first time in the Golden City, and, boy, it did not disappoint. 
We drove up Friday morning after dropping the kiddo off at school. Mickee subbed the 10:30 wall class for me (thanks, girl!). With the mandatory stop at Anderson’s for some split pea soup and the best reuben sandie that central valley has to offer, we proceeded.

​We made it to the bay in the early evening, checked into our hotel and hit the streets. First stop: Chinatown! With the coronavirus on high alert, the streets were empty and we got a practically private jaunt around the shops, bars, and restaurants. We made our way through Chinatown, and felt the historical magic as we entered Jack Kerouac Alley, ending up in the City Lights Bookstore. As academics and book lovers, this was a must see for me and a favorite spot for Scott. Afterwards, we stopped next door at Vesuvio Cafe, a bar of oddities. We shared a table with a 20 soemthing year old, recently divocee and her gay best friend. (I should interject that it was Valentines Day). We had drinks and eavesdropped on this conversation of young love gone awry! On our way back to the hotel we found Li Po’s, a bar named after the Chinese poet, so, of course, we had to stop in honor of the wine-drinking, ancient poet.

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Flash forward to Saturday. We got up early and hit the pavement. Walking aimlessly with the goal of the Marina District in our sights. With no time restraints we casually walked admiring the architecture and street art till we stumbled upon a poppin breakfast place called “Crostini and Java'' run by a gang of the sassiest Europeans you have ever met. Breakfast and a show! A few miles and bar stops later we found our way to our goal destination the Palace of Fine Arts, a 1915 Panam-Pacific Exposition structure. I had seen a picture of these “ruins' ' several years ago and had always wanted to go, and the experience did not disappoint. ​

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From there we walked through the Marina District which to me looked like Long Beach. We stopped at the famous fisherman's wharf for clam chowder and then made the trek back to the hotel. I say trek because, I kid you not, it was straight uphill. We dabbled with ideas of cable cars and uber and, being as stubborn as always, I declared we would walk. Let me tell you I took my picture at the top of that fucking hill, because, legit, it was not easy. ​

That night we met up with our good friend and former employee, Crissy Bacca. She brings light and enjoys herself wherever she goes and it was great to see her. We ended our night with a hysterical uber ride, a scandalous bar conversation with a newly engaged gay couple, details I will share if you ask in person (hahaha). ​

Sunday was another beautiful day in the city (BTW did I tell you how amazing the weather is, I got super lucky because it was 65 and sunny the entire time… talking about San Francisco weather always reminds me of the unauthenticated quote from Mark Twain: “the coldest winter I spent was a summer in San Francisco.” We drove to the Golden Gate park and went to the Japanese Gardens. While I was impressed by the location I was most struck by the history behind the history (read more here: https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/california/articles/a-brief-history-of-san-franciscos-japanese-tea-garden/)

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We ended our trip with a drive around the bay, stopping at a garlicky bbq joint in Gilroy and the San Luis Reservoir for a stretch of the legs.We ended our trip with the meat sweats and  a great podcast about a strip club in Reno. Making it home for an early bedtime. 
Thank you to Mickee, Linda and Jamie for holding down the fort while we were gone, you guys have no idea how much we appreciate you and how much of a relief it was going on a mini vaca and not just holding down the fort but also having one of the busiest weekends so far!