San Francisco, California

Friday

14 December 2018

San Francisco International Airport

As I write this Phil and I are sitting at the Samovar Tea Lounge waiting for the Qantas Desk to open for check-in.   Our flight is at 8:35pm --desk opens at 5:05pm -- it is 3:31 pm.   We just finished a delicious lentil stew and Phil is having a beer as we savor our last couple of days in San Francisco as detailed below:

Wednesday

12 December 2018

After an uneventful flight from Boston and check-in at the Hyatt Centric in the Fisherman's Wharf area, we come to the realization that it is lunchtime and we're starving.  

Our lunch choice is  "Altalena Vinoteca", a wine bar just a block from the hotel recommended by George, the bellman at the Hyatt.   This is where we meet Amanda, the proprietor, who, with her husband, opened this establishment three weeks ago.     We order Panini's -- ham and cheese with mustard for me and Italian cold cuts for Phil -- both are "tres bonne".    Amanda and her husband are not exactly novices at this restaurant thing -- they've owned a pizza place just around the corner for six years. 

Now fortified -- we walk down the Embarcadero, stopping to buy the obligatory fleece jackets since it is always colder than expected in San Francisco.

Along the way we make a stop at Pier 39 to visit the sea lions -- which are as delightful as ever and just as boisterous.  Then we admire the huge Christmas tree, which rivals the one in Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston. 

Pat with the Sea Lions Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco.

Our walk continues all the way to the Ferry Building and back again when I need a rest.    Phil pops into the Red Jack Saloon -- a neighborhood bar that he frequented when he lived here twenty years ago.

 Phil by Pier 39 Christmas Tree - San Francisco

 By 5:00 pm -- we are ready to go to dinner -- before jet lag sets in.   Buena Vista -- close to the hotel and a longtime San Francisco eatery is a good choice.   This place opened in 1916 as a saloon and since 1952 have been known for their Irish Coffee -- in fact they were featured on CBS Sunday Morning a few weeks ago.  

Upon arrival, we discover the place is packed -- at least in the bar since happy hour is alive and well in California.  Happy Hours begin between 2pm and 4pm and last till 6pm or 7pm.   As we walk around the place peering in the windows, there seems to be small dining room with empty tables but how do we get there?   We enter through the back door -- turn a corner and  "Voila" -- a small dining room with 4-5 tables  -- two are empty.   Ryan is the very efficient waiter who calls his domain the VIP Lounge.   Phil has a delicious trout dinner and I have breakfast -- which is served all day.   We couldn't be happier.

We are exhausted and fall into bed after our walk home -- logged 19,581 steps today.  

We have had a very good first day in one of our favorite cities in the world.

Thursday

14 December 2018

San Francisco, CA

We wake at 5:30 am -- after sleeping for ten hours.  Phil goes out bringing back coffee as we plan our day.  Heading through the lobby I check at the desk to be sure that breakfast does not come with our room, that my Hyatt number is in the system and to ask for a late checkout on Friday. 

My number is not in the system for which the clerk profusely apologizes and breakfast does not come with the room but she tells me that she will give us a $30 credit to have breakfast in the dining room -- and yes we can check out at 2:00 pm on Friday.  

Breakfast at the Hyatt is expensive  -- $26 for the buffet or $18 for the continental buffet.   We decide on the continental buffet, which includes oatmeal, salmon, and other good stuff.   We spread out all our travel information and spend two hours going over everything -- talk about a leisurely breakfast.   The staff is very friendly encouraging us to stay -- since it is not busy.

By 10am we are on the road looking for a specific type of shorts that Phil wants but cannot find anywhere.   We head to the shopping district where Phil has marked several sports apparel stores and then there is always Macy's where we begin.  

Anyone that knows Phil realizes that I am a candidate for sainthood just for agreeing to go shopping with him.    After stopping at Macy's with no luck -- except to use the restrooms, we are walking down Post Street enroute to one of Phil's sporting good stores, when I spot Gumps.  

 I said, "Phil, I have to go in."  Then as we get closer I see  "Going Out of Business" signs in the window -- now I really have to go in.   How can this be happening?  Gumps is a San Francisco institution since 1861.   Two Gump brothers started the store as a mirror and frame shop adding   European artwork, which was popular with customers, made wealthy by the California Gold Rush.   But, alas, according to an article in Forbes, Gumps didn't change with the times as their customer base continued to shrink.

I went in, Phil went to his sports store -- finally after about a half hour I emerged from the back of the store to find Phil looking at the jewelry -- even at 80% off it is still very expensive.

We decided it was time to split up so after lunch at Luke's Lobster -- I went back to Gumps and he went wherever he went.   I spent a couple of hours trying on things and just enjoying the experience of being in this place that had survived for so long.  I bought a couple of items -- buy one at 80% off and get the second for free -- how could I resist?

We met back at the hotel -- and were out the door again at 5:00 pm for our 6:00 pm reservation at "Le Central", another San Francisco "oldie" located in the mini French section of the city.   We had eaten here 20 years ago -- and decided it was time to try it again.    We arrive early to have a glass of wine at the bar taking advantage of the 2p to 7p happy hour.   Our meals were delicious -- Phil had Osso Buco and I had Roasted Chicken.  However, although my roasted chicken was quite good, it was not as flavorful as the roasted chicken at the "Cape Sea Grill" in Harwichport on Cape Cod.    So, Jason, if you are reading this you, please tell the Chef.

This was a very long day -- I logged 23, 286 steps today -- both of us are exhausted but had a fun-fill two days in this great city. 

Friday

14 December 2018

San Francisco

We are awake by 5:30 -- and continue work on our trip before having breakfast at the Hollywood Cafe -- across from the hotel.  This is a wonderful breakfast place with huge portions to the point that we take home half of our meals planning to have the rest for lunch.

After breakfast -- we take individual walks -- and re-pack our luggage for the trek to Australia.  We decide to take "Airport Transfer" from the hotel at $17 per person.  The taxi on the way in was $65.

We are picked up promptly at 1:45pm by Luis, - a true character beginning with his shoulder length hair topped off with a brimmed hat, a tweed jacket, vest and jeans.  He is a wiry guy who hops in and out of the van with ease.   He points out interesting sites like the copper-clad building owned by Francis Ford Coppola that has been in several movies.  

We make two stops picking up 1 passenger at each before heading to the airport.  Luis is equally masterful at winding in and out of the heavy traffic -- whether on city streets or the highway.  He delivers us in good order at the International Terminal.

Thanks for reading.

Pat

Pat Settling In for the Flight to Australia.