There has so much been said about San Fran…that anymore would surely be a challenge but for it’s myriad characteristics. This is a microcosm of all that is great about the USA.
So Meena and myself went to visit this great city after the AA family wedding in Los Angeles. Immediately on arrival, one notices a much greener city, with Victorian Buildings and streets that a giant would think are carved as steps on hills. My history says that Captain Cook ‘discovered’ America. So the first place for homage would be Coit Tower to get a panoramic view of the City, from which you can see Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Area, Docks, Bay Bridge, bits of China Town, and even the Golden Gate Park.
My last visit was in 1980 as students who had barely made it to this place from Reno delivering a car from the east coast. We were broke and had a foray acting as guides, to survive almost hand to mouth. But we were not scared or frightened, particularly as this was probably the best place to land in….the place with so much diversity and tolerance.
We stayed in the Fishermans Wharf area in a boutique hotel overlooking the lots of bars, etc but it was mainly with tourist shops selling many versions of the SF dream. The best part for me was an early morning run from there towards the Golden Gate. And of course a favourite hobby …..food.
First meal , Thai, massive, with huge soup, green curry, papaya salads., and good value. Always under order! Then Boudins ….famous for its sour bread…..amazing. Onto a Vietnamese (hot), of course morning Bagels, so much choice, with regular coffees. Americans probably are the best at coffee. Most of all the service in each of these places was exceptional. For once, I felt that the vendors genuinely cared. Almost everybody is or was an immigrant, and a proud American!. And so civil.
We also took time to go to Yosemite National Park, about a five hour journey from SF, by bus, and train (Amtrak). Must go to this place at least once, we stayed over a day, and spent most of the time outdoors walking and hiking. A most memorable walk up misty trail… The rocks are some go the biggest in the world. Here I learn that this great state boasts the tallest waterfall, trees, mountain (?), and lowest point below sea level in Death Valley. We stayed at the Ahwamee, which has a historical significance, and overrated. It was also where the film Shining was shot…remember Redrum, REDrum, !REDRUM ……..write this backwards in red!
Back in SF, we enjoyed travelling on the tram ( a train on the step streets), street car ( an electric bus on the normal streets), and a normal bus on normal streets. Walked into Chinatown, and toward the commercial district. Clean beautiful city, with cafés of every type from Italian to Mexican. There was an interesting street dancer doing a step dance (feel guilty…did not drop a dollar for him), an African American on the street hiding behind some cut branches and scaring everybody, and on Union Square young student dancers. Overall we barely scared the surface.
No wonder Google, Facebook, Amazon, Silicon Valley are all in the vicinity…inspiration in a quality, temperate coast line.
On the last day we succumbed to some shopping in Union Square, and of course Anand’s special shaving liquid for the best shave in the world.
The best part on our way back home was when we went to see our Trina, and children. Also met her wonderful in-laws. Trina lives in an absolutely idyllic neighbourhood, and she is a busy busy mum, and Sanjiv is working and studying very hard.
Thank you America, California and SF….enjoyed staying ….and will come back, and leave you with what Herb Caen said
One day if I go to heaven…I’ll look around and say, ‘ It ain’t bad, but it ain’t San Francisco’.