For a long time I have wanted to travel to San Francisco again.
Finally, in February of 2008, I had an opportunity to visit one
of my favourite cities again. For only four short days I would see
so many of the things that make San Francisco such a diverse travel
destination: a visit to Alcatraz Island was a definite must, and
the history and strange beauty of this place left a deep impression
on me. One of my most exciting experiences was a bike ride across
the Golden Gate Bridge, which was a phenomenal opportunity to take
in the city’s scenic beauty.
My explorations of Golden Gate Park, North Beach – San Francisco’s
Italian neighbourhood, the Coit Tower, Telegraph Hill and Fisherman’s
Wharf gave me an idea of some of San Francisco’s unique neighbourhoods.
A day trip exposed me to the impressive redwood forests of Muir
Woods and the scenic beauty and vineyards of Sonoma county. Restaurant
visits, shows and stays in one-of-a-kind historic hotels rounded
out my all too brief stay in San Francisco. I had only scratched
the surface, and I realized that I would definitely have to come
back again to this beautiful City by the Bay.
Union Square
To give you a better idea of this city here is part II of an extensive
interview with Tanya Houseman, Media Relations Manager for the
San Francisco Visitor’s and Convention Bureau.
1. Architecture lovers have long enjoyed San Francisco
for some of its unique structures. What are some of the favorite
destinations for architecture buffs in your city?
Since the days of the Gold Rush, San Francisco has been known for
some rather palatial homes. The so-called Big Four are: Charles
Crocker, Collis P. Huntington, Mark Hopkins and Leland Stanford.
Price tags on two of the quartet’s homes atop Nob Hill ran
respectively: $2.3 million (Crocker) and $3 million (Mark Hopkins).
Hopkins’ home so dominated the San Francisco skyline of the
1890s that it could be seen some 25 miles south and was disparaged,
according to one historian, as the product of a “quarreling
team of Albanian draftsmen.”
The historic Queen Anne Hotel, my abode for four nights
James Flood, one of the silver kings, built a massive brownstone
mansion and encircled it with a $30,000 brass fence. The only mansion
on Nob Hill to survive the 1906 earthquake and fire is now the home
of the Pacific Union Club at California and Mason streets. Get a
closer look at this area on these guided walking tours of Nob Hill:
Hobnob Tours, The Vampire Tour of San Francisco. San Francisco City
Guides also offers free tours of the area every Sunday at 2 p.m.
Vintage houses open throughout the year include the Haas-Lilienthal
House, 2007 Franklin St., south are the fabled grounds of Filoli
at Canada Road, Woodside, and the Winchester Mystery House at 525
South Winchester Blvd. In the East Bay city of Martinez, one of
California’s original capitals, the 17-room John Muir House
is open every Wednesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Guided walking tours with an architectural emphasis include Hobnob
Tours (www.hobnobtours.com.), San Francisco City Guides (www.sfcityguides.org),
and Victorian Home Walk (www.victorianwalk.com).
The Church of Saints Peter and Paul in North Beach
2. Golden Gate Park is one of the largest urban parks in
the world. How can I get there and what will I see?
Golden Gate Park is an oasis for outdoor enthusiasts, and one full
day is barely enough to explore its 1,017 acres encompassing free-to-the-public
meadows, lakes, rose gardens, an arboretum, a rhododendron dell,
music concourse, a children's playground, a buffalo paddock and
the tallest artificial waterfall in the West. Nominal admission
fees are charged at the Japanese Tea Garden which is free from 9
to 10 am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the Conservatory of Flowers
and the beautifully restored carousel in the Children’s Playground.
The first Tuesday of each month admission charges are banished at
the de Young Museum. On Sundays and holidays, the park is free of
cars on Kennedy Drive from 19th Avenue to Stanyan, when bicyclists
and in-line skaters bring their own “vehicles” or rent
from a nearby shop or stand.
Ready for my bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge
Visit www.511.org trip planner for specific information on how to
get there using public transportation.
3. Please give us an overview of some of the museums and
cultural offerings in San Francisco.
Any trip to the City is incomplete without an infusion of culture.
There is a tantalizing array of options available to art lovers.
San Francisco's collection of museums includes the California Academy
of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, the internationally acclaimed de
Young Memorial Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Museum
of the African Diaspora, and the California Historical Society.
The Contemporary Jewish Museum will open in June 2008.
The City's diversity and cosmopolitan mix of lifestyles are reflected
in a liberal and varied mix of cultural experiences such as The
San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Ballet, the San Francisco Orchestra,
and a dozen live theater groups.
Union Square
4. Please give us an overview of some of the culinary offerings
in San Francisco.
Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse said of San Francisco, “You
can’t have a bad meal in this town.” It’s easy
to see why chefs love San Francisco -- it’s 49 square miles
of great dining and a Mecca for the mouth. It’s the diverse,
distinct blending of cultures and creativity, and its proximity
to fresh, sustainable ingredients that attracts great chefs to the
City, with a trail of devoted foodies following in their wake.
The City boasts more restaurants per capita than any other cosmopolitan
city in the U.S., and it’s impossible to sample every restaurant,
therefore, many tours are offered to help visitors find the best
places: “In the Kitchen With Lisa Culinary Excursions,”
“Chinatown Adventure Tours With The 'Wok Wiz'” and “Local
Tastes of the City Tours” are just a few.
San Francisco culinary treats
5. What kind of nightlife opportunities exist in the city?
San Francisco offers a bustling nightlife and a variety of nightclubs,
lounges, and bars.
Here are just some recommendations: Top of the Mark in Nob Hill
has been a San Francisco landmark since 1939, it is known for breathtaking,
360-degree views of San Francisco and the Bay Area. Cocktails are
served starting at 5 pm; Yoshi's Jazz Club & Japanese Restaurant
at East Bay is a world-class jazz house and "the" place
for jazz in the Bay Area; Bin 55 in Yerba Buena is a Northern California
wine bar featuring 55 wines by the glass with every varietal coming
from the Bay Area, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Monterey. Harlot,
located in SOMA is an upscale VIP lounge featuring modern Goth décor,
world-renowned DJs, performances and special events, catering to
an after work and late night crowd. Infusion Lounge at Union Square
is San Francisco's new premier restaurant/lounge. It features refined
Asian influenced design, 6,000 square feet, VIP room, and a dance
floor. Find more information on onlyinsanfrancisco.com.
Exotic entertainment at Asia SF
6. San Francisco also offers great opportunities for shopping.
Please tell us more.
In Union Square, all things fashionable and hip can be gazed upon,
tried on and purchased. Big-name retail, posh hotels and superb
theater are the name of the game. But take a moment to step out
of the riptide of people walking through the square, and you’ll
see San Francisco in all its melting-pot glory.
San Francisco Centre -- Westfield Mall opened in November 2006.
Union Square, home to Nordstrom and the West Coast flagship Bloomingdale's,
is home to more than 170 exclusive boutiques and specialty stores.
The Restaurant Collection under the Dome features Straits, LarkCreekSteak,
Zazil Mexican Cuisine and Cocola Bakery, Out The Door, witchcraft.
You can also find here nine-screen Century Theatres, The Food Emporium
featuring Bristol Farms and Valet Lounge on Mission Street. It is
located on Fifth and Market Streets, adjacent to Union Square and
across from the Powell Street cable car turnaround.
Interesting bread creations at the Boudin Bakery
You can shop for one-of-a-kind items at Hayes Valley. The area,
bordered by the Van Ness performing-arts district and the Western
Addition around Laguna Street, has developed into a haven for haute
couture. For trendy fashion boutiques, SoHo-style funky art galleries,
high-end interior-decorating shops, top-notch restaurants and hip
nightspots, Hayes is perhaps the more independent side of Union
Square.
The success of Hayes Valley's current commercial district was boosted
in part by the destruction caused by the 1989 earthquake to the
Central Freeway, which had destroyed entrance ramps on Franklin
and Gough streets. The freeway was an eyesore and created noise
pollution that kept businesses and foot traffic away. Not long after
that part of the freeway came down, the community began to transform,
and commerce moved in.
Walking up toward the Coit Tower
Unlike some other parts of San Francisco, Hayes Valley has managed
to retain a sense of community and a nonexclusive feel despite the
fast build-up and high price tags. Some of the businesses that braved
the less-than-savory days are still around, such as the Hayes Street
Grill, now twice its original size. But many of the shops sprouted
up in the '90s, making Hayes Valley a real destination spot. The
combination results in a wide diversity in clientele. While high-end
San Franciscans sip $7 cocktails at Absinthe, down the street many
are powering down an entire meal for around the same price at Flipper's.
Now, tourists also head here specifically for the shopping, for
one-of-a-kinds like a buffalo-leather chair or an exclusive Sue
Wong Art Deco gown.
One of the many galleries in San Francisco
Since shopping and gallery hopping are two highlights of Hayes Valley,
it's best to go when the full lot are open. Many galleries are closed
Mondays, and some don't open Tuesdays, either. Shops tend to open
around the 11 am mark, though some are open earlier. Reservations
are needed at most restaurants generally from 6 pm to about 7:30
pm, when operagoers and symphony audiences head off to performances.
Seating is easier to find later in the evening.
7. Please tell us about the accommodation options in San
Francisco.
Lodging options are plentiful and range from boutique to majestic.
The best place to book a hotel is again www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com.
Upscale lodging at The Handlery
8. What opportunities for sports and physical recreation
are there in and around the city?
There are plenty of opportunities for sports and physical recreation
in San Francisco such as walking, jogging, biking, or golfing. Strolling
around the streets of San Francisco is often enough to get your
heart racing, the City is brimming with scenic routes just waiting
to be discovered. Walk down Hyde Street to find Lombard, "the
crookedest street in the world," or head to Fisherman's Wharf
where jugglers, artists and magicians entertain visitors for hours.
A view towards the Golden Gate Bridge from Fort Mason
Park your car, rent a bike for the day, and visit the Presidio.
Scattered with former barracks and brick administration buildings,
the Presidio air is laden with the aroma of fresh eucalyptus trees
that line the winding roads and navigable trails. These paths offer
breathtaking views, intoxicating scents, and the occasional challenging
hill. From there you can head out of the City across the Golden
Gate Bridge and take on the Marin Headlands and Tennessee Valley
for a daylong biking excursion across the bay.
Do like the locals and join one of the numerous marathons or triathlons.
The most well known Bay Area races are the "Bay to Breakers,"
a mid-May 12K run starting at the Embarcadero, running through Golden
Gate Park and finishing at the Great Highway, and the mid-June "Escape
from Alcatraz" triathlon, consisting of a 1.5-mile swim through
the bay, an 18-mile bike and an 8-mile run.
Looking east from Alcatraz Island
If you don't feel like waiting for an organized race, set out on
your own. Stride across the grass at Crissy Field, charge through
the grueling sand ladder at Baker Beach, and finish off on the path
that leads over the Golden Gate Bridge. You will end up on the North
side of the Bay leading over to Marin, Tiburon and Stinson Beach.
When you reach the end of the Bridge, look over your shoulder and
enjoy the City's skyline.
With five public courses within the city and more than 130 public
and private courses within the surrounding Bay Area, San Francisco
has a course to fulfill every golfer's dreams. Whether in search
of a quick round, or a getaway with magnificent views of the City's
most popular sights, satisfaction is just a swing away. Different
degrees of difficulty as well as varied ranges of green fees are
easily accommodated, though San Francisco's famous fog sometimes
makes play extra challenging.
Ruined buildings on Alcatraz Island
9. What are some popular destinations for day trips from
San Francisco?
Visit the beautiful Beach Communities, cycle through the Wine Country
and taste some superb food, swim, boat or fish at Lake Tahoe and
visit old Sacramento, explore Yosemite National Park, East Bay,
dine at a trendy restaurant in Sausalito, or enjoy Monterrey and
Carmel with its sandy beaches. Find information and how to get there
on www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/beyond_san_francisco.
The mystery of Muir Woods
10. What types of festivals and special events highlight
the yearly calendar in San Francisco?
Here are just some examples of the variety of events in the yearly
calendar: the Berlin and Beyond Film Festival in January, Chinese
New Year Parade and Celebration in February, the SFJAZZ Spring Season
and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in March, the San Francisco
International Film Festival in April, The San Francisco Wine Festival
in May, Fourth of July Waterfront Festival, San Francisco Fashion
Week in August, and San Francisco World Music Festival in September.
Famous Ghirardelli Square
11. What are some of the big news stories that will be coming
up for San Francisco in 2008 and beyond?
Some of the events to come in 2008 are the opening of the San Francisco’s
Contemporary Jewish Museum on June 8 and the Frida Kahlo Show at
SFMOMA from June 14-Sept. 28.
In addition, San Francisco’s Pier 1½ First Water Taxi
Landing opened Dec. 14, 2007 at Pier 1½ on the Embarcadero.
The taxi landing will also be available for use by sea kayakers
and recreational boaters.
In December 2007 San Francisco's Historic Japantown inaugurated
its Self-Guided History Walk.
Coit Tower Murals
The Festival of Sail Homeports will take place in San Francisco
between July 23-28, 2008. Anchored by the San Francisco Maritime
National Park Association and its partner, the San Francisco Maritime
National Historical Park, the Festival of Sail will transform the
piers of San Francisco into an international nautical attraction
this summer. More than 15 tall ships and other vessels from around
the world are expected to visit San Francisco between July 23-28,
2008.
In addition, Alcatraz Cruises, the official National Park Service
concessionaire of transportation services to Alcatraz, is planning
to offer their Alcatraz and Angel Island combination tour again
starting mid-spring and running through Labor Day 2008.
Sunset over the Marin Headlands
For general travel information, sightseeing tours and specific
background about the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, the famous San
Francisco cable cars and San Francisco’s diverse neighbourhoods
please visit Part 1 of this interview.
Thank you for your time, Tanya, and for providing us with such
great information about your beautiful city.
