The last entry in my solo trip before heading to Hawaii to meet my sister for my birthday. My time in SF was cut short to only two days and I only wished I had found a local’s guide to the slope hills of The Bay like Soothing Sista’s awesome list to better navigate myself. For the city that was the backdrop to my favourites Mrs Doubtfire and freakin Charmed, I found the city that everyone seemed to gush over was just not AS exciting as I thought it would be. I dunno for some reason I could not figure out where to go and what to do on my own. Like I was on Valencia and just didn’t know what to do with myself… The Mission = Boring? That would be seriously whack in any local’s mind I bet!
There were 3 thoughts that ran though my mind when observing the scene in San Francisco:
First, is this animal or human shit/piss I’m seeing/smelling on the streets?
Second, why are there so many homeless/hustlers in the city area?
Lastly, why are the shops closed at 7pm and train station closed until 9am on the weekends?
Nevertheless, I was able to enjoy a couple of sights, eating spots and lots and I mean lots of walking (like from the beginning of the Financial District to the Golden Gate Bridge along The Embarcadero and Marina by foot – you do the math) to explore the major parts of the city.
By pure coincidence I happened to land on Fleet Day so everything along The Embarcadero was in full military and navy celebration with plane shows and military personnel in uniform, as well as lots of food stalls. Damn them BBQ turkey legs were huge and smelt good! But I wanted something a little more than just grilled protein while I was there.
Since I wasn’t able to make it to the South, there was no way I could not stop at Brenda’s French Soul Food to try my first taste of Southern food. Beating the crowd I was lucky to get the bar table since I was a solo diner but was worried they might have sold out on all the goods. Lucky for me that wasn’t the case! Gumbo and signature beignets mmm, the breakfast for a hungry traveler.
And how could I pass up on the chance to eat seafood! Though everyone says that you need to eat seafood at Fisherman’s Wharf, looking online I found Swan Oyster Depot on Polk St and it was the best experience of eating seafood I have ever had so far! The staff were super friendly and prepared everything so nicely and the selection was so fresh you just wanted to eat everything – sashimi style of course unless it’s the chowder. There were some things that I wasn’t able to find on the menu that was available like the sea urchin so being friendly with your waiter is the trick to see what they can whip up for you if you want something fancy.
If you can only stay in San Francisco like me for a couple of days, definitely check out the Walt Disney Family Museum near the Presidio area to appreciate the work and life of the man behind the mouse. If you are an animator, art student or just a very devoted Disney fan there is nothing that beats seeing the painted cell drawings in person or enjoy reading Disney’s personal menu and miniature toy collection. I can’t describe the feeling of seeing these drawings on display, especially since I took my Film major seriously when I was in university as I wanted to be an animator but it was exciting to be able to be up close to see the paint work of each line and the sketch scratches on each draft of a character’s face. For me that was a really exciting moment while being there.
I think I would give San Francisco another chance in the future. Perhaps on a bike, with a friend and another beignet on the go.
Until next time!
Xx
Siree