San Francisco - Open Your Golden Gates! - ThinnerTimes

Baron Patrick · 09-05-2007, 11:31 AM

Sometime EARLY (try to beat some of the L.A. traffic) tomorrow the family and I will be off to Frisco! You know, clam chowder, warm fresh sourdough bread, cable cars and the Ghiridelli Chocolate Festival. Were only there for a few days, and will be a nice break for all of us.

Not sure about the festival. The last time I got a good smell of chocolate it made me quite nauseous, so this will be an interesting challenge.

I managed to get tickets for the Alcatraz prison tour (never been), and will be hanging around Fisherman's Wharf for the most part. Hopefully, I can get pics of us inside the cell of Al Capone, and those of other "celebrities" who've spent time there.

Those are the only real plans we have, otherwise were just going to wing it. Were staying at a hotel on the wharf so we (translated - I) don't have to drive anywhere (for a change!). Yes, I will be sure to post some pics when we get back.

Alleusion · 09-05-2007, 11:51 AM

I went to San Fran about 12 years ago. I love the city! I never did get to go to Alcatraz, so you'll have to have lots of details about that. I'm allergic to shellfish and hate all other types of edible sea life, so I can't say to have some of it for me. But, take in a deep whiff of the sourdough, ride a cable car, and have lots and lots of fun.

*mumbles* While I freeze up here in Canada....

Claire-in-Texas · 09-05-2007, 11:58 AM

What a great city - clearly one of my favorites. You will love that tour, and, of course, the wharf - always so much to see and do. And getting off the merry-go-round is good for the soul!

Have a wonderful time!

KarenInKali · 09-05-2007, 12:01 PM

Enjoy! We were just there this past weekend and spent quite a bit of time down on the wharf and Pier 39. It was fun to get to play tourist again after all these years. We both grew up in NoCal but never get to spend much time in the City anymore - we're too busy visiting with family.

LOL, and a word of advice - *don't* call it "Frisco" around the locals!

Does your son like Ripley's Believe it or Not? There's a Ripley's and a wax museum both on the Embarcadaro.

Baron Patrick · 09-05-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarenInKali

Enjoy! We were just there this past weekend and spent quite a bit of time down on the wharf and Pier 39. It was fun to get to play tourist again after all these years. We both grew up in NoCal but never get to spend much time in the City anymore - we're too busy visiting with family.

LOL, and a word of advice - *don't* call it "Frisco" around the locals!

Does your son like Ripley's Believe it or Not? There's a Ripley's and a wax museum both on the Embarcadaro.

Oh, I know! I would say it just out of spite!

We've been there many times before, my wife has relatives up there (however, we are NOT visiting them this time!)

The last time we were there, we took the city tour and went through "ground zero" of the hippie movement - the Haight Ashbury district, in fact, right in the intersection. It's incredible how it's all changed - boutiques, specialty stores, art galleries, coffee cafe's - it was just amazing! For those too young or not born yet, this was the home and humble beginnings of the Grateful Dead, and Jefferson Airplane/Starship. Janis Joplin hung also out here as well for a while.

It was a stark contrast when I was there on a family vacation in 1967 (the Summer of Love). Hippies everywhere! We drove by the area (at a considerable distance), and it looked like a slum. I remember it being very dirty looking, faded, with very little color. It didn't look like what I had heard, a place of fun, peace, and love. I remember my parents being absolutely disgusted seeing hippies panhandling at Fisherman's Wharf.

I've attached two pics of the district - one from 67 and one from today. I find this period extremely interesting, and yes, I considered myself a "hippie" in many ways - even though I was only 10 at that time, I could relate to what they were doing.

KarenInKali · 09-05-2007, 01:04 PM

We were up there because my niece is in the hospital in the City, although Steve' family all live in Santa Rosa. We traveled Haight/Ashbury many times this weekend.... the hospital was just up the road from Haight and we used it as a main thoroughfare this weekend. I'm a people watcher so driving that district was interesting no matter what time of day or night. We also spent quite a bit of time driving through Castro - which I love also because of our best friends for over 20 years.

I was just talking with Steve and family this weekend that I was amazed that all the districts of the city are still so well-defined after all of these years - that Haight is still within the same blocks, Castro, Chinatown, etc... they haven't really overlapped or merged... Although I would never want to live there, it's a cool place to visit - I do enjoy getting to go play tourist once in a while!

LOL, and I think your 60's era picture is still a better example of the district

OsoDelDesierto · 09-05-2007, 02:31 PM

Pat, San Francisco's Golden Gates don't have to open too far for you anymore, given how slim you have become!

I'm excited for you and know you'll have a wonderful trip - your activities sound perfect. I can't wait to see your pictures!

I will be with you in spirit - San Francisco is one of my favorite cities. I was there for a couple of days in February (I hadn't been there for 25 years, since I was 16) and it was every bit as marvelous as I remembered. I was there for work, but still managed to get around a lot - stayed near Union Square, walked through the Tenderloin (I know, I know, not a wise choice), went to the Castro (just missed the annual Noir City film festival at the Castro Theatre by a week or two), did some walking meditation on the indoor and outdoor labyrinths at Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill, took cable cars from Union Square to the Wharf, and went on a Red & White cruise all around the Bay and out past the Golden Gate. The weather was splendid. I had a blast, and can't wait to go back!