This post is inspired by cityhippyfarmgirl’s inspiring post ‘Loving this week’.
After more than 30 hours in transit from Chiang Mai, with stopovers in Bangkok and Seoul, head shakes and the occasional ’stink-eye’ from fellow passengers when the little one had a meltdown, lack of sleep, gross food, and a delay with our connection in Los Angeles … we arrived in San Francisco relieved, happy and excited to finally be in this stunning city.
Notes of love on San Francisco …
/ Our cosy little apartment in Richmond district … restaurants, an organic grocer and excellent public transport – yeah!
/ Amazing Asian and Western vegetarian food … with the array of tantalising places to eat out at, the idea of cooking in our apartment flew out the window.
/ Catching up with lovely friends.
/ Cool, fresh and invigorating weather … loving the breeze coming off the bay.
/ The Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park – great for the entire family.
/ The Sutro Baths overlooking the mighty Pacific, down at Land’s End.
/ Pedestrian-friendly streets with enormous wide footpaths and cars that actually stop when you’re trying to cross the road (unlike in Thailand).
/ Great conversations with friendly local folks.
/ Being able to drink water directly from the tap.
/ Twilight (as in the time of day, not the film series).
/ Cable car ride from Powell and Market Streets to Pier 39.
/ Lush green parks … in seemingly endless supply.
/ The fog that envelopes the city at unexpected moments
/ A fantastic city!
The sun rising on the horizon, approaching the USA
Our neighbourhood in Richmond
I love this sign
Old school shop fronts
Browsing at the wonderful Fields Book Store
Fun cable car ride
Watching the sea lions at Pier 39
Enjoying windy Pier 39
View of the Sutro Baths
Trees by the ocean
Picking flowers, Sutro Baths
The three of us at the Sutro Baths
Exploring by the Sutro Baths
Exploring by the Sutro Baths
Playing in the sand at the beach by the Sutro Baths
Iced coffee, Vietnamese drip style!
Devouring delicious pho soup
The Sword & Rose mystical shop in the Haight area
The Sword & Rose mystical shop in the Haight area
Gingko leaves at the Japanese Tea Garden
Buddha at the Japanese Tea Garden
September 12, 2012 at 12:13 pm
I love these photos! I like the “grumpy” sign as well, and the picture of the sandy hands is my favorite! Thanks for sharing!
September 12, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Thanks Ashley
I think that sign is enough to snap anyone out of grouchiness!
September 12, 2012 at 12:25 pm
Gorgeous photos! I love San Francisco too….love the sandy hands.
September 12, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Thanks Debra … we had lots of fun at the beach by the Sutro Baths, the weather is amazing here at the moment
September 12, 2012 at 1:03 pm
Wonderful voyage around San Francisco. I’ve never been there but you’ve made wish that I had:)
September 14, 2012 at 3:25 am
Thanks Roger – it is a wonderful city. I am sure you would enjoy the vast array of amazing food
September 12, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Gorgeous M! I haven’t been there but like F,P&F you’ve made me wish I had.
Actually you’ve made me want to go dust off my passport… imagine the lovely ‘stink eyes’ I would get with all three in tow!…actually I can well imagine unfortunately, I guess that’s why the passport remains dusty. (So when are coming to Australia?
ps.thanks for the link back too lovely
September 14, 2012 at 3:26 am
Oh thanks B! This is my second visit to SF … it’s a great city, so much character, and kiddy friendly. I love that you can find amazing patches of nature in such vast urban-ness. Thinking about flying with three little monkeys makes me a tad anxious
I try to ignore the ‘stink eyes’, though it does get to me a little bit … some people forget they were kids once …
No plans for a visit back home to Australia yet … but who knows!
Hope life is treating you well x
September 12, 2012 at 5:53 pm
Very nice photographs; really natural . I liked all in-fact; keep your journey on and keep sharing.
September 14, 2012 at 3:26 am
Thanks Clarissa. Your blog looks great – I’m looking forward to seeing more of your journeys across the Indian sub-continent.
September 14, 2012 at 11:32 am
Hi, I am glad that you liked my blog; and thank you for following . Hope you’ll find my posts interesting..
September 12, 2012 at 9:25 pm
oooooooooohhhh! drinking water out of the tap! that has got to be my favourite! Love your photos and happy that you are happy having a glorious time
September 14, 2012 at 3:28 am
Hi Lottie! Drinking water from the tap was so strangely satisfying – one of those little things that are usually taken for granted. I actually called the landlady to ask if the tap water was potable (yeh, I’ve been living in Asia for too long!) … she laughed
Marissa x
September 13, 2012 at 3:36 am
I love SF! And I love your photos of your visit. What a beautiful place it is. I can’t believe you’re there now. My brother just opened a show there of his paintings! Check them out here: http://www.altmansiegel.com/main.php?menu=current&page=pics. Enjoy SF! xo
September 14, 2012 at 3:29 am
Hi Colleen! Thanks! Yes, gosh it really is a beautiful city – love its charm and diversity. And, wow, your brother is truly talented – I see creativity runs in your family. I really love ‘The Source is the Goal’ and ‘Towards Dark’ … beautiful and inspiring … equal to the words you write on your blog. I hope you are well x
September 13, 2012 at 7:07 am
Fantastic images!
September 14, 2012 at 3:29 am
Aww, thanks!
September 13, 2012 at 10:05 am
So beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration…AGAIN!
September 14, 2012 at 3:29 am
Cheers Lani! How goes it in Chiang Mai – have we had much rain?
x
September 13, 2012 at 1:53 pm
Wow… welcome (or welcome back) to the West Coast ! Hope you have a wonderful time in this city.
September 14, 2012 at 3:31 am
Hey L, thanks – it’s a welcome back
Love SF! x
September 14, 2012 at 9:09 am
Well, you’ve been busy! I’ve never been to the west coast. Arizona is the farthest west in the U.S that I have been ( my birth place, actually ). Sounds like the family and you really enjoyed your visit. Though you were far from your home, the similarities in your photos abound!
~Dawn
October 2, 2012 at 8:32 am
Thanks Dawn – we had a wonderful time! I can believe that, your country is vast! Hope you get there someday.
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September 30, 2012 at 8:44 pm
i grew up near san francisco and relocated to the pacific northwest, and every time i return i feel more jangly and disconnected, like the city moves too fast for me. these photos remind me that there are corners of calm and loveliness. thank you!
October 7, 2012 at 8:27 pm
Hi Nichole, I can relate …coming from dinky little Chiang Mai, San Francisco is really, really fast! Though I do love that in such a huge city you can access little pieces of nature for some respite. Love visiting, but living there would be a whole different experience
Your blog is beautiful.
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October 31, 2012 at 5:17 pm
After living in San Francisco for 7 years, it’s always a nice place to visit, but I agree with you that I’d much rather live in Chiang Mai. Thanks for the photos.