We returned to San Francisco after a couple of years to babysit our grandson while the parents went to a wedding in Napa. We just visited Napa last December and will return again this coming December so did not feel the urge to visit Napa this trip and elected to stay in San Francisco and revisit our favorite spots. We knew in advance it would be cool as the coast of mid and northern California is always cool or cold in the summer due to the Pacific currents. So we packed windbreaker jackets thinking that would be enough. It was not. We were freezing to death the entire trip. At night the temp was around 50 and daytime rarely got above 60, plus there was a strong wind making the wind chill even worse. Just like my first trip there in 1979 I had to go out and purchase another long sleeve sweatshirt to increase the number of layers and have something warmer. With the windbreaker and more layers I made it through the week. Lesson learned. Always go to San Francisco with at least 2 or 3 long sleeve layers.
Fisherman's Wharf
We purposely decided to stay at the Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf as we have stayed at that property in the past and always were treated well. I can continue to recommend the Hyatt Centric. Staff was caring and focused on customer service and met most of our requests consistently. Rooms though small were comfortable and amenities were adequate. While we were there the average temp in the day was around 60 so we did not use the pool scape much due to it being cold. It is well located to explore the entire Fisherman’s Wharf area on foot and despite me with neuropathy I was able to walk around OK, just slower. There are plenty of cafe’s in the area to get breakfast at a fairly reasonable price considering where you are. Pier 39 is only 3 or 4 blocks away, and you have plenty of waterfront views and don’t forget the sea lions. While we were there the newspaper had an article on the sea lions and stated the week we were there they counted over 1000 on the docks. There is a Maritime museum and the Hyde Street Pier has a National Park with lots of old sailing ships to visit and there is a fully restored operational WWII submarine to visit so plenty to do in a couple of days. We were baby sitting our 7 year old grandson and he was well entertained.
American Baseball
Wheel of Fortune may say at the beginning of each show “Welcome to America’s Game Wheel of Fortune” but they are sadly mistaken. Trust me Major League Baseball is still as American as it gets. When I was around 6 years old I remember my father taking me to a baseball game in St. Petersburg, Florida and I was miserable and remember it like yesterday. It was hot, humid, I was thirsty, and he would not buy me a drink. I swore I would never go to a baseball game again. Fast forward to our trip to San Francisco and at the last minute we decided to attend the Giants and Philles game with our youngest daughters family and our grandson Fin. I was pleasantly surprised how much fun it was, but even more so to witness what is good about America. From the singing of the National Anthem with an F-16 flyover to singing “Take me out to the Ballgame” it was a demonstration of all types of American’s getting together to celebrate all that is good. From peanuts and popcorn to hot dogs and cracker jacks nothing but good clean fun. Crowded and loud with huge big screen TV’s just an experience you can never forget. It did not hurt that the average temperature that day was in the low 60’s so no worries about getting hot. We had seats on the 3rd base line and could easily see all the action. I felt proud to be an American and if like many you are concerned about the future of America do yourself a favor and go to a ballgame. It will restore your faith.
Skywalker Ranch
I will briefly mention Skywalker Ranch in that you have to know someone fairly high up to visit and it is not open to the public. My son-in-law’s brother is a major sound engineer there and has won 2 Oscars for Inception and Dunkirk while working there so he showed us around and bought us lunch at their corporate restaurant that had really good food. It was built by George Lucas after the success of the very first Star Wars movie. He still owns the physical plant and grounds but the operation and management is now owned by Disney. Essentially it is multiple sound stages to edit and finish movies and it seems a significant number of movies are finished there. We learned that sound is the last thing added to a movie. The equipment is extensive and impressive and highly complex.
Follow up on Homelessness
San Francisco still has an issue with homelessness. We saw some of it and at least where we were it was not extensive. Someone sleeping on the sidewalk in this city block, a tent in a block or two away. Sort of spread out. But we had an interesting experience trying to help one gentleman out. Our first day we noticed this elderly man with a very long beard just waking up on our way to breakfast. At least once on any given trip we will buy a meal for a street person if we see one. We do understand we will never solve the problem and we wonder if we are only making the situation worse but long ago we decided even though we can’t help everyone, we can at least offer nourishment to at least one person and who knows what positive benefit that might bring. It truly is not for us to judge. At breakfast we planned on purchasing one breakfast to go for the man so we asked the server if they knew anything about him? And they did. They told us he had never been any trouble, was law abiding, but had been at that exact spot on the street now for 17 years. We had a double take! 17 years? Think about that. What person voluntarily chooses to live on the street for 17 continuous years. I am certain some social agency had to have tried to help him find housing and receive benefits but he obviously made a conscious decision to stay where he remains. He is not alone. Having tried to help veterans through veterans programs I see this over and over. Many homeless people refuse all help. They don’t want to be told what they can and cannot do. They don’t want to be in a shelter where they are told they cannot smoke. This gentleman was smoking. They refuse to be regimented. I get it, it is a free country and he is free to choose to live on the street. But is he? What impact is he having on the community. There is a new debate starting on at what point are these individuals placed somewhere against their will and based on what grounds. I have no answer but clearly I was shocked he had been there for 17 years.
San Francisco Restaurants Something Old, Something New
Miller and Lux San Francisco
700 Terry A Francois Blvd
San Francisco, CA
415-872-6699
We returned to Miller and Lux again, a steakhouse owned and operated by celebrity chef Tyler Florence. The food and service continue to be excellent and the décor is high-end and relaxing. Immediately after sitting down, you are offered a selection of sparkling wine to choose from at various price points but we purchased this trip by the bottle. The restaurant has a wide variety of classic steak cuts and accompaniments also. They allow you to bring your own wine with a modest corkage fee. Overall it was a memorable meal again but the prices were the highest we paid on our trip and the wine prices on the wine list were in La La land but it seems that way all over San Francisco but I was able to purchase 2 bottles that enhanced dinner. The desserts were to die for. They were things like chocolate mousse or key lime pie but looked like a piece of fruit. Here is a picture.
Kokkari Estiatorio Greek Restaurant
200 Jackson St.
San Francisco, CA 94111
415-981-0983
This continues to be a favorite place in San Francisco. It is primarily a high-end Greek Restaurant with all your favorites like great lamb souvlaki. They had an extensive wine list Very friendly and helpful staff and well prepared fresh food. I again had one of the best Greek salads that was sublime. We tried the hummus platter that was to die for. It was a very nice long relaxing lunch and we will continue to return. The bill was the second-highest during our trip and it was for lunch no less but to us worth the price. We always leave feeling we have received great value eating here.
Mathilde San Francisco
315 5th St.San Francisco CA 94107
415-546-6128
It is no secret we like French cuisine and this place continued to satisfied all of our French desires. Everything is a classic French presentation and all of our favorites. This trip we had Rack of Lamb that was beyond excellent with a unique and great sauce. The service was professional and friendly. Coffee and dessert were again classic. It’s a small and out-of-the-way place but worth the trip for classic French.
Foreign Cinema San Francisco
2534 Mission St.
San Francisco CA 94110
415-648-7600
Let me be very clear here. This is continues to be the best most fun and unique dining experience and high-top shelf experience I have had in years. Having dinner here was one of the reasons we decided to go to San Francisco this trip and if I had my own private jet I could see me flying over just for dinner. The neighborhood is continuing to improve. The bitcoin seller next door is gone but a payroll advance store is still across the street. The restaurant is in an old movie theater and inside the dining room is divided into two rooms one of which shows an old movie each evening and that is the theme of the night. The menu was extensive and everything is made in-house fresh. The menu both for food, wine, dessert wines, cocktails, drinks is extensive and takes some time to take in. You had to be impressed that they still had 3 different renditions of “Pappy” Old Rip Van Winkle Whiskey from 12 years old to 23 years old. It is one of the rarest whiskey in the world and to find all of them on one menu is impressive. The American Whiskey choices alone were over 50 choices. Dining choices were unique again. I had Moroccan Fried Chicken that was one of the most flavorful dishes I have had in a long time. They also had an extensive list of oysters and caviar as well. Service was professional and attentive and the overall ambiance was relaxed and calming. It was just a truly unique and wonderful dining experience that we will remember for a long long time.
Palette Tea House Dim Sum, Cantonese, and Seafood
900 North Point St, Ste B-201A
San Francisco, CA 94109
Located at Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square we discovered just walking around and noticed a very long line to get in. I used an old trick learned in France while standing in line went online on the phone and made reservations which went through OK. Then moved into the reservation line and got right in for lunch. The biggest surprise was they serve daily by the order Peking Duck and we love Peking Duck and since COVID have had a hard time finding it, especially just walking in. Usually you have to pre-order 24 hours in advance. They had exquisite dim sum but I am sure due to COVID no more carts, you have to order off the menu but no problem. They also had authentic Char-Sue which we have always loved. The food and drink was outstanding but the service was a little slow but the place was packed with locals and how can I complain when they have Peking Duck right now. This is now our preferred Asian restaurant in San Francisco now.
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