Yes we arrived in the Bay area during the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love, but to me it was just the summer of lots of tourists and lots of traffic. When your son lives next to the Stockton Tunnel and you're sleeping in his bed next to a window cracked open for a breeze then you are very aware of urban living, including arguing couples, cars honking, lots of trams and buses, and loud music playing any and all times of day. The sign says Quiet Through Tunnel. Apparently people take that as a challenge.
Ian does live at the edge of Chinatown, though, so one intersection to cross and there we were.
We met his girlfriend, Clio, and planned our events.
Each morning we would march through the tunnel towards Union Square, take a left, and head for La Boulangerie for coffee and a breakfast pastry.
We enjoyed both public art and art in museums.
The newly remodeled SFMOMA.
Can you name these artists?
The view up to the catwalk.
There was the DeYoung Museum at Golden Gate Park, directly across from the California Academy of Sciences.
Street signs comparing 50 years ago to today.
The rainforest at the CAS.
Claude, the albino alligator!
Lots of walking up and down hills. Then back up. It always seemed uphill to Ian's place.
Oh look, a level street.
We took a bus down to the Embarcadero and Fisherman's Wharf, then a fun, vintage tram, and then we went by foot. It was packed with people everywhere so trying to do the tourist thing at Ghiradelli Square was out of the question. We headed for Pier 39. More tourists. No surprise.
Look at these lazy sea mammals.
This mammal was more attractive.
We ate lunch at Scoma on Pier 47, and the tuna melt was to die for. Also the retro ambience with the Sinatra music in the background was just right.
The Embarcadero at night was also enjoyable. We ate at The Slanted Door inside the Ferry Building and enjoyed seeing the sun set over the Bay Bridge.
Another place we enjoyed was Top of the Mark for martinis, with a great all around view of the city. And yes, we had to walk uphill to get there.
There's the Golden Gate in the distance. We didn't actually cross it until we returned from a three day side trip to Healdsburg in the wine country. (next blog)
Our favorite meal was sushi at Hinata, a quiet and delicious experience with our expert chef and server, Gavin.
Our menu and entire meal. We ate ALL of this. So. Much. Fish.
http://hinatasf.com/
Clio took me to her favorite yarn shop, Imagine Knit near Delores Park
I could have spent all day there but Glenn and Ian were ready to move on and I had a coffee meet up with an old and dear friend, Julie Graham. I didn't get a photo op but my first visit in 1992 to San Francisco was to be matron of honor at her wedding. Here's a flashback to more hair and baggier jeans.
Ian and Clio were always fun to be around. He even booked us a Room Escape event, Escape From Alcatraz, where we were taken to a basement, put in a prison cell, and all handcuffed to the wall pipes with one hour to escape. Hint: we were winners! We're hoping he will bring her here for the big tour of Texas. Just not in summer. I was definitely enjoying the cool SF weather.
Until next time, San Francisco.
Oh, and in 1967 during the actual Summer of Love I was 17 , just graduated from high school, and living in Tallahassee, Florida. Groovy, baby.
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