Please enjoy the song while reading.
(all photos taken by me, my friend Kathe, or are from my private family collection)
Lights- Journey
Growing up in the east bay area of California and having relatives in San Francisco, I spent many days in the famous city.
My grandmother and two uncles, 1915 San Francisco.
I now live a little more than an hour's drive away. I think sometimes I take San Francisco for granted. It's a city filled with a diverse population, radical thinkers, gorgeous architecture, spectacular views of the bay, great dining, fun neighborhood joints, and a walker's paradise.
My father, playing in the school yard across from his home on Russia Street.
Yesterday I spent the day in the city with 5 wonderful friends.
We walked, and ate, and drank, and laughed, and even cried a little as we caught up on each others lives and shared the day.
As we moved from neighborhood to neighborhood I felt a bit like a tourist in this city I'd spent so much time in while growing up.
There are so many neighborhoods to explore and some favorites to revisit. The Dogpatch area is a nine square block neighborhood east of Potrero Hill that originally consisted of working class families and escaped the perils of the 1906 earthquake. Today it is an area in transition. Definitely worth a visit.
Artisan chocolatiers handcraft high quality sweets in their store located in the Dogpatch neighborhood.
Chocolate molds decorate their storefront.
One of our young 'uns works in the store as a chocolate enrober. Connor was a bit embarassed, perhaps, by the onslaught of gregarious women in the somewhat quiet store. But we did bring him lunch from Bakesale Bettys-a fab. lunch place in Berkeley.
San Francisco has long been a place where families share the beauty of the city.
My grandparents at the Legion of Honor in the early 1900's with my father and uncle.
As we made our way through the city I felt incredibly lucky to have this time with my friends on such a lovely, warm day in January.
I remember my father driving us up to Coit Tower on the 4th of July to watch fireworks being shot over the bay.
Even Christmas lingers a little longer in the city.
It is a cocktail lover's paradise. That Lemon Drop Martini went down waaaaay too easily.
And famous for Irish Coffees at The Buena Vista.
People from all over the world visit Boudin for the famous sourdough bread. During the 1906 earthquake heroic efforts were made to save the sourdough starter that first began in 1849.
My friend pointed out that "bread line" has a completely different connotation here.
While my friends waited in line to purchase their breadly delights, I clicked photos. My husband's newly diagnosed diabetes requires limits on carbs. No Boudin for my house.
The hand crafted breads reminded me of Grandma Lena and how she made everything by hand.This top photo of her with my father was taken in her terraced backyard. It was my favorite place as a child where I dug up potatoes from the fragrant black earth, picked tomatoes from the vine, and watched her as she made wine in the cellar.
This city by the bay was the starting point for my family after immigrating from Italy. They worked hard, scrimped and saved to make their dreams come true.
I have to remind myself of that with each visit.
This holiday vacation was memorable in so many ways.
Thanks for sharing them with me.
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Comments
R♥
~r
I might be in S.F. next month and am looking forward. It's been over half a century since I was there... I will have chocolates and martinis.
Lezlie
city and from within the city.
PS - Looked through Your blog and LOVE Your musical tastes.
-R-
I could spend years eating my way through North Beach and Chinatown.
So many of us in the Central Valley folks feel the same way about SF. The wife's Maternal Ancestors came out for the gold in the 1850s, and meandered their way downhill to Sacramento around 1900. Her mom snagged her dad when we came through McClelland Field with the Air Force on his way from NYC to The "Big One" in the Pacific. So here we are.
On the more positive side, the Central Valley was not such a huge adjustment from my Midwestern past.
of my favorite city in the world. I loved looking at your photos and feel so lonely for the place I would love to be. I hope to retire there when I make my first multi-million dollars.
rated with love
La Dolce Vita..
Heh where is the Bakesale Betty picture>>:)
HUGGGGGGGGGG
Rated.
Rated
scylla: I enjoyed sharing the city with you. Thanks.
abrawang: Pretty much the minute we hit the city at around 11 a.m. my friend LaDean began talking about getting an Irish Coffee at her fav place, The Buena Vista. Even though we had quite a hike from where we were, it was worth it to see the satisfied smile on her face at the first sip.
Thanks for sharing this journey down memory lane with us.
.
Margaret-New job took 100% of my focus and energy, leaving me little desire to write at the end of the day. 4 months into it now and a 2 week vacation have revitalized me. Hope to be here on a more regular basis. Now...go hop that plane!
bobbot: If you're going to San Francisco,
be sure to wear some flowers in your hair...
Mary: I knew you were out this way. Wasn't it a gorgeous day in the city? I have such great friends-always treasure my time with them.
Marianne: Well then, c'mon gal! :)
trilogy: Glad you stopped in for a peek-I love old photographs. When perusing antique stores I am always drawn to them and wonder how families can discard them.